The cradle position is most common. Sitting in a comfortable position,
place your baby’s head in the curve of your arm. You may desire to place
a pillow under your supporting arm to lessen the stress on your neck and
upper back. When the baby nurses, he should take both the nipple and all
or much of the areola into his mouth. Encourage and assist the baby in
latching on to the areola. With this approach, your baby’s entire body
should face you (head, chest, stomach and legs). Again, he will not latch
on correctly if his head is facing you, but the rest of his body is not. With
your nipple, stroke lightly downward on his lower lip until he opens his
mouth. When his mouth opens wide, center your nipple and pull him
close to you so the tip of his nose is touching your breast and his knees
are touching your abdomen.
Side-lying position
This position is commonly used by moms recovering from a cesarean
delivery. Your stomach and your baby’s stomach should be facing, and
your baby’s head is near the nipple. With your nipple, stroke lightly
downward on his lower lip until he opens his mouth. When his mouth
opens wide, center your nipple and pull him close to you so the tip of his
nose is touching your breast.