Breastfeeding Basics: How to Get a Great Latch and Find the Best Nursing Positions

Breastfeeding is a beautiful and natural way to feed your baby, but it doesn’t always come easily. A proper latch is essential for pain-free nursing and ensuring your baby is getting enough milk. Once you’ve mastered the latch, finding a comfortable breastfeeding position can make all the difference in your experience. In this guide, I’ll go over how to get a good latch and explore the best breastfeeding positions to help you and your baby succeed.

How to Get a Good Latch

A deep, effective latch is key to comfortable and efficient breastfeeding. It also makes a huge difference in establishing a good supply. If the latch is shallow, you will not only have sore and uncomfortable nipples, but your body won’t make as much milk, which will make your baby feed for longer. This will make your nipples even more sore! It’s a vicious cycle that you don’t want to get started!

Here’s how to make sure your baby latches properly:

Step 1: Position Yourself Comfortably

Find a quiet, relaxing space where you can sit or recline comfortably. Use pillows or armrests to support your body and baby if needed. A comfortable chair with good back support or a bed with extra pillows can help reduce strain on your shoulders and neck.

Step 2: Line Your Baby Up Properly

Make sure your baby’s body faces you, tummy to tummy, with their head, shoulders, and hips aligned. This prevents strain and helps them latch more easily and deeply. Their head should be slightly tilted back as this helps them get a deep latch. Holding your baby close with their tummy against yours helps maintain this alignment.

Step 3: Encourage a Wide Mouth

Gently tickle your baby’s upper lip with your nipple to encourage them to open their mouth wide, like a yawn. A wide-open mouth ensures a deeper, more effective latch. If your baby is struggling to open wide, you can express a small drop of colostrum or milk to entice them.

Step 4: Bring Baby to the Breast

Once their mouth is open, bring your baby to your breast (not your breast to the baby). Aim your nipple toward the roof of their mouth to help them latch deeply. This helps prevent a shallow latch, which can cause pain and ineffective milk transfer.

Step 5: Check the Latch

A proper latch should cover more of the areola, not just the nipple. Your baby’s lips should be flanged outward (not tucked in), and their chin should press into your breast. You should feel a gentle tugging, not pinching or pain.

Signs of a Good Latch:

✅ Baby’s mouth is wide open, covering a good portion of the areola

✅ You hear rhythmic sucking and swallowing (less in the first few days until your milk “comes in”

✅ You feel a strong but painless tug

✅ Baby’s cheeks stay full and rounded while nursing

If you feel pain or notice clicking sounds, gently break the latch by inserting a clean finger into the corner of your baby’s mouth and try again. It’s totally fine and normal to latch a few times throughout the feeding session!

Troubleshooting Latch Issues:

• If your baby is struggling to latch, try hand-expressing a small amount of milk to encourage them.
• If you experience nipple pain, check that your baby’s mouth is covering enough of the areola.
• If baby keeps slipping off the latch, ensure they are properly supported and their head is tilted slightly back. Try leaning back a little so that gravity forces them to stay on the breast.

Pregnant and want to get totally ready for breastfeeding? Want to diver deeper and learn more about breastfeeding and how to prepare? Check out this super informative eBook written by a L&D and postpartum nurse (moi!)

The Best Breastfeeding Positions

Once you’ve established a good latch, finding a comfortable breastfeeding position can make a world of difference. Here are some of the best breastfeeding positions to try. Don’t hesitate to switch it up until you find one that works the best! (See the graphic at the end with pictures of all the positions).

1. Cross-Cradle Hold

Best for: Newborns, establishing a deep latch

• Similar to the cradle hold, but you use your opposite arm to support your baby’s head and neck while holding your breast with the other hand. Make a “sandwich” behind your areola and hold it throughout the latch.
• Don’t hold baby’s head, just support their neck so they can lean slightly back and get a very deep latch.
• This position gives more control, making it great for new moms who are still perfecting the latch.

2. Cradle Hold

Best for: Newborns, everyday nursing

• Hold your baby in the crook of your arm, with their head resting in your elbow and their body facing yours.
• Support your breast with your opposite hand to guide the latch.
• This is one of the most common breastfeeding positions but may require extra support pillows for comfort.
• Don’t start with this hold as it can be harder to get a deep latch in this position.

3. Football Hold 

Best for: Moms recovering from a C-section, twins, or babies who struggle to latch

• Hold your baby along your side, with their legs tucked under your arm and their head supported in your hand.
• Make sure they’re still tummy-to-tummy!
• Use your other hand to support your breast.
• This position keeps pressure off your abdomen if you’ve had a C-section and is ideal for moms nursing twins simultaneously. It’s also a great position to be able to see your baby and how they latch deeply.

4. Side-Lying Position

Best for: Nighttime feedings, C-section recovery, or moms who prefer to nurse while lying down

• Lie on your side with your baby facing you tummy-to-tummy.
• Bring your baby close so they can latch onto your breast comfortably.
• This position allows for rest while feeding, making it great for nighttime nursing sessions.

5. Laid-Back (Biological Nurturing) Position

Best for: Encouraging natural instincts, comfort, and relaxation

• Recline back on a couch or bed in a semi-reclined position.
• Lay your baby on top of your chest, allowing them to find the breast naturally.
• This position helps babies latch instinctively and is great for bonding.
• Gravity helps keep the baby close and latched, reducing nipple pain.
• Follow the instructions for a deep latch and don’t let your baby stay on if the latch is shallow. Relatch and try again.

6. Koala Hold (Upright Nursing)

Best for: Babies with reflux, older babies

• Hold your baby in an upright position, straddling your thigh while supporting their head.
• Great for babies who prefer to be more upright and helps reduce reflux symptoms.
• Can be helpful for babies who struggle with fast milk flow.

7. Dangle Feeding

Best for: Unclogging a milk duct

• Lean over your baby while they lie flat, allowing gravity to help with milk flow.
• This position is less commonly used but can be effective for clearing blocked ducts.
• The is not a normal day-to-day position for your baby.

Additional Positioning Tips:

• Use a nursing pillow to support your arms and baby, preventing strain.
• Adjust the position based on your baby’s needs, such as switching sides or changing angles.
• Pay attention to baby’s hunger cues to start feeding before they become too fussy to make latching them easier!
• If your breasts are really full right before a feed, try hand expressing a little first to soften the breast/nipple, which will help your baby latch easier.

Final Thoughts

Getting a good latch and finding the right breastfeeding position can make breastfeeding more comfortable and successful for both you and your baby. Every mom-and-baby dyad is unique, so don’t be afraid to experiment with different positions to find what works best for you and your baby. If you’re struggling, reach out to a lactation consultant for additional support.

Breastfeeding takes practice and patience, so be kind to yourself during the learning process. The more relaxed and comfortable you are, the smoother it will be for both you and your baby.

Which breastfeeding position works best for you? Let me know in the comments below!