Breastfeeding

Positioning and attachment

The key to successful breastfeeding is comfortable positioning and good attachment.

Make sure your baby is well attached to the breast. If your baby is only attached to the nipple, breastfeeding will be painful.

If your baby is well-attached to your breast, you are less likely to experience breastfeeding problems like cracked nipples, and your baby will get the most amount of milk from your breast.

Find a comfortable place where you can sit and relax. Have everything you might need close to hand – e.g. phone, glass of water. Breastfeeding may take some time.

Positioning and attachment

This webpage is currently being reviewed and some outdated content has been removed. Please refer to Raising Children Breastfeeding videos and Raising Children Breastfeeding positions in pictures in the interim.

Some tips which may help:

1. Make sure you are comfortable and well supported. Lean back rather than sit upright. Place your baby on your bare chest between your breasts, facing you. Gravity will help keep your baby in position.
2. When calm, your baby will begin to follow their instincts. Your baby will start to move towards one breast. Support your baby behind their shoulders and under their bottom (avoid holding their head). Let your baby move towards your nipple – they know where to go!
3. Your baby will most likely position themselves on an angle, with mouth near your nipple and feet supported by your thigh or lap.
4. When your baby is just below your nipple, they will dig their chin into your breast, reach up with an open mouth and attach to the breast.
5. When your baby is feeding well, they will suck deeply and regularly (sometimes with short pauses), and you’ll hear swallowing.

More information: Raising Children Network – Breastfeeding positions: in pictures

In this guide:

1. Breastfeeding 101
2. In pregnancy – planning for breastfeeding
3. Breastfeeding – the first few days
4. Signs of hunger
5. Breastfeeding – the early weeks
6. Positioning and attachment
7. Signs of an effective attachment
8. Breastfeeding positions
9. Common breastfeeding questions and concerns
10. Common breastfeeding issues
11. Breastfeeding in the first year
12. Important points about breastfeeding

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