Asymmetrical Positioning & Latch Tips

A cross cradle or side-lying football hold are my recommended holds for the early weeks, followed by the classic football hold.  

Mom should start by finding a comfortable seating arrangement for herself. Using a footstool can bring your knees up which may help elevate the baby to the breasts so mom does not find herself leaning down to baby. (Sitting in bed is not ideal for breastfeeding)

Cross-cradle hold: Align baby so their nipple line is between mom's breasts.  This should place the baby's nose at or slightly under mom's nipple. Baby should be side-lying with ear/shoulder/hip in a straight line.  Arms can be tucked between mom's breasts as he/she is brought in close.

Side-lying Football/Classic Football hold: Align baby so their nipple line is near mom's armpit where the bra cup/strap comes down.  Again, baby's nose should be sniffing mom's nipple. Baby should be side-lying with ear/shoulder/hip in a straight line.  Arms can be tucked between mom's breasts as he/she is brought in close.

(Classic Football hold baby is lying on their back with legs straight back; Side-lying Football hold baby is on their side with legs wrapping around mom's back.  Turning the nursing pillow so the curve of the "C" is under baby's torso)

In all of the holds, mom should hold baby's head with thumb by one ear/ fingers by the other so baby can extend head back between thumb and index finger to open airway or throat during feeding as needed.  Palm of hand supporting baby's upper back and forearm supports baby's torso, with her elbow tucking in baby's butt.

The more securely you hold or paste the baby to you, the calmer the baby should be.

Babies have a rooting reflex which helps them latch.  It is triggered by the contact of the baby's chest and chin to mom's breast. 

Bring the baby to the breast and plant the baby's chin at the edge of mom's areaola.

As the baby reflexively tilts head and starts to open mouth, continue to push baby's shoulders to the breast.

Top lip should just pass over the nipple.

If this is done correctly, baby's bottom lip should be flanged and the baby's jaw should be far enough away from the nipple to avoid pain. Goal is for areola tissue to land on the front of baby's tongue and the nipple falls further back, not allowing baby to grab at nipple during latch.

Babies BREAST feed not nipple feed.

Check out this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0I-OAr7Dr48&authuser=0

If latched correctly, chin should be touching breast, cheeks should be symmetrically sealed around breast (corners of mouth not visible), and some areola seen above upper lip with little/no areola visible by chin.