Breastfeeding tips for new parents

Breastfeeding can be a wonderful bonding experience for a parent and their baby — but it can also come with some challenges. The good news is that parents and medical professionals have paved the way with breastfeeding tips, resources and nursing products to help make feeding a new baby as easy and enjoyable as possible.

In this article:

Tips for breastfeeding

“There are so many forms of success, and that includes not needing to breastfeed at all,” says Cindy Rubin, MD, IBCLC, a breastfeeding and lactation medicine specialist as well as owner of In Touch Pediatrics and Lactation, PLLC, based in Westchester, Illinois. There are many different ways to meet a baby’s needs. “If breastfeeding is not going as planned, reach out early to a breastfeeding professional to get help,” she says.

What’s more, up to one in eight women are estimated to experience postpartum depression, so Dr. Rubin notes that new parents should be prepared to practice self-care during this transition. “It’s okay to ask for help, and it’s okay to not be ‘perfect,’” she says. During a new parent’s breastfeeding journey, they should try to be flexible, be kind to themselves, and as they say in yoga, give themselves the grace to make mistakes and continue on.

Breastfeeding support for new parents

Many new parents may believe or be told that breastfeeding comes naturally and therefore may feel badly if they have concerns or difficulty. But most people do need more education — and societal help — than they currently receive. Being aware of such nursing challenges and the support for new parents that is available can help them prepare, even during pregnancy.

Pediatricians can be an excellent resource for new parents; they can provide tips on breastfeeding successfully. In some cases, the health care provider may even be an international board-certified lactation consultant (IBCLC), a qualification that can also be held by a nurse, midwife, dietitian or other care professional.

Sharifa Glass, MD, IBCLC, founder of The Vine Pediatrics and Lactation in Houston, Texas, recommends assembling a team to help new parents. “A breastfeeding team should consist of a spouse, partner, family member or friend as well as a pediatrician and a lactation consultant,” says Dr. Glass. “With this team in a new parent’s corner, they’ll feel more confident and empowered with the knowledge and tools to meet breastfeeding and pumping goals.”

Pediatricians will also likely help monitor a baby’s weight as a new parent begins to breastfeed. Dr. Rubin explains that breastfed babies can lose between 7 to 10 percent of their birth weight in the first five days of life, then begin to gain it back as they feed. If a new parent is concerned about breastfeeding, they can talk to their pediatrician or an IBCLC. They can suggest possible supplementation or even different breastfeeding positions to try that can help encourage a better latch and more successful breastfeeding outcomes.

Helpful breastfeeding positions

While some breastfeeding positions are more common than others, Dr. Rubin advises that whichever is the most comfortable for both a parent and their baby is what they should use. And if they don’t have a nursing pillow — which is recommended for some positions below — there are still ways to make the process more comfortable. “Even just a regular throw pillow can help support a parent’s arms while they support their baby,” she adds.

Cradle hold

One of the most common breastfeeding positions is the cradle hold, which has been found to lead to successful breastfeeding. However, if a new parent had a cesarean section (C-section), it may be painful as it puts pressure on the incision.

To do a cradle hold, the arm the parent holds their baby with is on the same side as the breast they wish to feed from. For example, if their baby is going to feed from their right breast, the parent will cradle them so they are laying on their left side across the parent’s right forearm, with their head facing toward their armpit and at nipple-level, so they can latch. (See above left.)

Clutch or “football” hold

The clutch or football hold can be an excellent choice for mothers who have had a C-section, as it takes the baby off the body. For this hold, a new parent would place a pillow next to them and support their baby with the arm that is on the same side of the breast they hope to feed from. If feeding from their right breast, they would hold their baby so that they are facing up in their right arm, with their body laying across the parent’s arm — feet toward their back — and head up at their breast. (See above right.)

Cross-cradle hold

This breastfeeding position is like the cradle hold, except a parent would hold their baby with their opposite hand. Dr. Rubin notes that this position helps the parent support their baby and see what the baby is doing, as no part of the arm is in the way of the baby’s head. For this position specifically, she recommends the use of a nursing pillow.

“These pillows create something like a ‘baby shelf,’ that really helps keep a baby stable,” explains Dr. Rubin, “and the strap can help to keep both the pillow and baby above any C-section wounds so that the cross-cradle position can be utilized even in women recovering from a C-section.” (See above left.)

Dancer hand nursing position

If a new parent is looking for a breastfeeding position that allows them to support both their breast and their baby’s head, they can try the dancer hand nursing position. Their baby is held facing them, and their hand is used to support the breast and their child’s head. For example, if they are feeding their baby via the right breast, the parent would bring their right hand up and cup the bottom of their right breast using the C-hold, with three of their fingers at the front of the breast. Their thumb and index fingers should be free at this point. The parent would support their baby’s head with their index finger, holding one cheek while the thumb holds the other. This forms a “U” with the baby’s chin resting at the bottom of the “U.” (See above right.)

Dangle feeding

For mothers who are experiencing issues with clogged milk ducts, dangle feeding is a recommended option. For this position, the baby is lying flat on their back or elevated on a breastfeeding pillow, while the parent leans over the baby and dangles their breast above them, guiding the nipple into their mouth. This allows gravity to assist in the emptying of the breast as the baby suckles. (See above left.)

Double-clutch or double-football hold

If new parents have twins or two babies who are breastfeeding at the same time, the double-clutch hold — or double-football hold — may be a convenient choice. This is simply the football hold done with a baby in each arm, so that they don’t lay across one another, and the parent can easily support each child at the same time with the help of pillows. (See above right.)

Laid-back breastfeeding or reclined position

Laid-back breastfeeding correlates to the feeding instincts of the baby. In this position, the parent is semi-reclined — think of sitting in a recliner — with the body fully supported, while the baby lays on their parent’s stomach with their cheek resting somewhere near the breast. (See above left.)

Upright breastfeeding or koala hold

Research suggests that feeding a baby upright may potentially lead to fewer respiratory and ear issues and infections during breastfeeding. A new parent would sit up with their back straight and their baby positioned sitting on their lap, or straddling one of their legs and facing them, so that their head is breast-height. Also known as a koala hold, this mimics how koalas carry their young. (See above right.)

Nursing in a sling

To nurse a baby hands-free, nursing them while they are in a sling is an option. It is important when choosing a sling to make sure it meets the guidelines of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and, in the early stages of a child’s life, to make sure their head is supported. The CPSC also includes specific safety guidelines for the use of a sling, which include making sure that the face of the infant is visible and uncovered at all times. If the baby is to be nursed in the sling, its position should be changed after the feeding to ensure that the child’s head is facing up and is clear of both the parent’s body and the sling. A child in a sling should be monitored very closely to make sure that their nose and mouth aren’t blocked, and their chin is facing away from the wearer’s chest. (See above left.)

Side-lying position

In this position, a parent doesn’t have to hold their baby, which means that it can be comfortable for parents who have had a C-section. For side-lying position, a parent and their baby both lie on their sides facing each other (on a couch or bed) with the baby’s head at breast-height. Dr. Rubin stresses that though this position can be very comfortable, a person would want to make sure they don’t fall asleep. (See above right.)