How to Position Mother and Infant

Prep:

• To nurse an infant in a cross-cradle position, the infant should be supported on a pillow across the mother's lap to help raise infant to nipple level

• To prevent the mother from becoming tired while supporting infant's weight, a pillow should be placed on each side to support the mother's elbows

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Mother/Infant:​

• When breastfeeding on the left breast

  • The mother's left hand should support that breast in a “U” hold

  • The mother's right hand/arm supports infant

    • The right thumb and fingers support infant's neck and shoulders by placing thumb by one ear and index finger by the other ear ​

    • Palm of right hand is supporting lower back/neck and shoulder blades

    • Infant's body is placed tummy to tummy, with the infant's back and mother's right arm aligned

    • Infant's bottom is tucked under mother's right elbow

• When breastfeeding on the right breast

  • The mother's right hand should support that breast in a “U” hold

  • The mother's left hand/arm supports infant

    • The left thumb and fingers support infant's neck and shoulders by placing thumb by one ear and index finger by the other ear ​

    • Palm of left hand is supporting lower back/neck and shoulder blades

    • Infant's body is placed tummy to tummy, with infant's back and mother's left arm aligned

    • Infant's bottom is tucked under mother's left elbow

• As the mother prepares to latch infant, the infant should be close to the breast and head should be slightly tilted back with the nose at nipple level in a sniffing position

• Once the infant opens their mouth wide, the mother should bring the infant closer to breast

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Supplies Needed:

• 4 Pillows 

  • 1 for back support ​

  • 2 (1 for each elbow)

  • 1 to support infant's weight ​

• Mother may use her own Boppy Pillow or My Brest Friend Nursing Pillow​