You should try all of the basic positions to see which works best for you. In the first few days, it is helpful to hold your breast to promote deep latch. Place your 4 fingers under your breast and thumb on top, being careful not to place thumb/fingers too close to the infant's mouth. This hold is called the C-hold, as your hand forms the letter "C" on the breast. The football and cross-cradle positions are very helpful if you are having problems with latching-on or need more control.

Cradle Hold
Sit upright, holding your baby in your arm on the side you are breasfeeding. Your baby's head should be in the bend of your elbow. Hold your baby's bottom or upper thigh with your fee hand. Turn your baby on his side with his whole body facing you. Your baby's lower arm should be tucked around your waist to allow your baby to get as close as possible to your breast.

Cross-Cradle Hold
Sit upright, supporting your baby's body with the arm that is opposite the side on which you are feeding, support his head with your hand. This position can be helpful at the beginning of a feeding since you have good control of your baby's head and can help him to latch-on more easily. Switch back to the cradle hold during the rest of the feeding if the cradle hold is more comfortable.

Side-Lying Position
You and your baby both lie on your sides, tummy to tummy with your baby's mouth at the level of your nipple. Support your baby with your lower arm or a rolled up blanket to keep your baby on his side. Pillows behind your back for support and bending your top leg forward make this position more comfortable for you . This is a good position for night feeding!

Football Hold
Sit upright with your baby tucked in next to your side with his feet pointed behind you. His face is turned toward you with his mouth at the level of your nipple. Hold your baby's head in your hand on the side you are breasfeeding and support his neck and back with the same arm. Support your breast with the opposite hand. This lets you control your baby's head and watch your baby latching-on to your breast.