EBF Moms to Newborns: Position Questions

Which nursing hold do you find most comfortable? My DS is 6 weeks old and I can only do the Cross Cradle on both sides. A couple of times I tried the football on the left side, but found it uncomfortable. I really need to get better at this if I'm going to go out in public. I want to master the cradle hold...but his head is just too floppy. How are you guys doing with this?

ETA: If you do the cradle hold...how do you guide DC's mouth to your nipple to ensure a good latch?

Message edited 1/27/2010 3:14:59 PM.

Re: EBF Moms to Newborns: Position Questions

i am a fan of the cradle hold... never really mastered the football hold... though my ds apparently has alot of head control since he was holding it up on his own the day after he was born////

Re: EBF Moms to Newborns: Position Questions

I do mostly the cradle hold, the only time I did the football when in the hospital and I wasn't a fan of it. I out DSs head in the crook of my elbow so I support it and hold him up to the breast. It is great to have a boppy or a pillow below your arm for support.

Re: EBF Moms to Newborns: Position Questions

I've only done the cradle hold since we've been home from the hospital.

I support his head/neck with the crook of my arm and basically hold his back with the rest of my arm and his butt is held by my hand.

I find that to be the most comfortable position both at home and when we're out.

Re: EBF Moms to Newborns: Position Questions

My ds would only latch using the football hold. I would put a regular pillow under him and he would nurse away. It made going out interesting but we made due.
Dd doesn't care how she is positioned as long as there is a boob involved lol. I had big boobs to begin with and nursing made them porn star big. At first it was easiest for dd to latch cross cradle. Once her head got bigger I was able to use any hold. Now we usually use cradle when she is tired, cross cradle when she is being nosy so I can keep her focused and we lay down at night.
Keep trying the different holds. Once ds's head gets bigger it should get easier

Re: EBF Moms to Newborns: Position Questions

Re: EBF Moms to Newborns: Position Questions

I always found it most comfortable to nurse laying down on my side. It also ensured that she had a good latch.

It limits you (obviously you can't lay down in a restaurant! ), but especially in the beginning when nursing sessions can last an hour or more, it's nice to be able to lay down and relax.

Re: EBF Moms to Newborns: Position Questions

I only really do the cross cradle hold. my right nipple gets sore often so i try doing the football but this is pretty awkward for both of us. i was doing the cradle hold and then i started getting sore nipples i think from a shallow latch so now i make sure i guide him on (and i still get sore nipple on right side). i thought maybe it was from using the paci? ds is 6 weeks.

Re: EBF Moms to Newborns: Position Questions

I did the football hold when DS was in the hospital and maybe the first month after that it was the cradle. I found that the football hold was managible when he was small (he was 7lbs at birth) but once he got a little heavier/longer it was not working. I didn't use the boppy until the second month either...I think for the same reasons...he was not big enough for it to help me in any way.