Breastfeeding positions to save your back
Happy world breastfeeding week!
Rule #1: switch it up! Try different positions, see what works for you, and what works for your baby. Also bear in mind that what works now might not work later on. For example I moved to side lying almost straight away, then as he got older I added a bit of tummy feeding. (Now I sit on the sofa and stand him on the floor!). You don’t have to feed in the classic cradle hold all the time - that’s a recipe for upper back pain!
Pillows pillows pillows
Prop your baby up nice and high, definitely invest in a feeding pillow if you haven’t already - you can find them second hand for a fiver, or sometimes even free! This is especially useful when your baby is small; it will stop you from hunching over.
Side lying
This is my go to position, so comfy and hands free! This position is easier for those who are bigger chested. It’s also super easy to feed to sleep this way.
Tummy to tummy
You don’t have to be fully reclined for this position as the picture shows, you can be sat in a chair, leaning backwards with your baby directly on top. This position is great for those with fast let downs as it has to work against gravity
Rugby hold
Ah, the classic rugby hold we’re all told about. This one goes well with a feeding pillow. It can help encourage a deeper latch, but be careful not to fall in to the habit of being hunched over, a bit like how it’s too easy to hunch over in the classic cradle hold.
Ask for help: don’t forget you don’t have to do it all. You can pump or substitute for formula every now and then if you need a break. If your baby doesn’t take a bottle, you might find they are able to take sips from a cup as from 6 months old (I even know of babies who did it from 4 months!). If I could go back I would probably be more relaxed about swapping some feeds for formula.