Every mom should be able to breastfeed, if that is something she decides to do!

• Find what works best for your baby.

• This may take some trial and error with detective work to see what is best for your baby .

• Quality of time at breast is more important than quantity of time.

Ideal Positioning of your Baby

• Turned towards mom

• Shoulders and hips aligned

• Large mouth opening / gape

• Head slightly tilted back

• Nose and chin close to breast, chin can almost be supported by breast

• Top and bottom lip should be sealed without dimpling cheeks

• Bursts of 2:1 or 1:1 sucks to swallows

Ideal Observations of Mom

• Feels like a tugging feeling, not pain

• Nipple should look similar post-feed as it did pre-feed

Positions to Try

Cradled

• Baby is cradled in arms, turned to mom

• Pillows to prop moms arms is helpful

• This position is very regulating for a baby to feel mom’s arms from their bum all the way to their head

Kohala/Crosses Kohala

• Your baby’s pelvis and legs are supported, often straddling moms legs

• This provides extra support to baby’s chin and body  to allow all their focus to be on their mouth

Side Lying

• Mom and baby are parallel to each other, belly to belly

• Helps baby manage flow better (similar to paced bottle feeding!)