How to hold older baby breastfeeding?

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends breastfeeding exclusively for the first six months of an infant's life and continuing to breastfeed in addition to offering solids foods until one year of age.

The rates of breastfeeding in the U.S. vary among states, but in general, most infants receive some breastmilk, with about 25% being exclusively breastfed for the first six months.

Breastfeeding can be a fulfilling experience, but can also be intimidating for many first time parents. There are several different breastfeeding positiosn to choose from, some that may be best for newborns and others that may work better for older babies.

Familiarizing yourself with different breastfeeding positions can help you feel more relaxed and confident in feeding your baby and help you establish a strong breastfeeding relationship from the start.

Here's a look at five breastfeeding positions to try.

This hold is great for newborns, says Cynthia Conde, a lactation education counselor and lactation clinic coordinator with AltaMed Health Services.

Here's how to do this position:

1. Start by crading your baby in the crook of your arm with your baby lying across your lap. Your baby should be on their side with their  nose should be positioned opposite your nipple.

2. The whole front of your baby's body should be touching the front of your body.  Your baby's head should be on your forearm and their back should be along your inner arm and palm. When looking down you should see your baby's side.

3. You can place pillows underneath your baby to lift them up to nipple height and support your elbows, especially in the first few weeks when your newborn is so small, Conde says.

4. Support your breast with your other hand as your baby latches onto your nipple. Your baby's mouth should be taking in most of the areola and your baby's ear, shoulder, and hips should all be aligned.

This position is also a good choice for newborns or smaller babies and is similar to the cradle hold, but with some slight adjustments.

Here's how to do this position:

1. Start by sitting up straight in a comfortable chair with armrests.

2. Position your baby with their tummy against your body. Throughout the feeding, the baby should be held close with their body facing yours. "This offers many points of contact and a feeling of stability and places the baby directly in line with the breast," says Rachelle King, RN, IBCLC, owner and lactation consultant at Latch Amoré.

3. Scoop your baby's bottom into the crook of your arm opposite the breast being used. Position the heel of your palm at your baby's shoulder blades with your fingers supporting the neck but do not grip your baby's head. "It is important that the baby has the freedom to pull away if they do not want the breast," King says.

4. Use the opposite hand to support the breast. With a gentle grip on your baby, flex your wrist to tilt the baby's head back back, extending their chin forward and point your nipple high toward your baby's nose.

5. Wait for a wide open mouth and then guide your nipple into your baby's mouth.

This hold is similar to the cross body hold but instead your baby will feed from the breast on the side of the supporting arm.

The clutch hold can be useful if your baby is resisting latching on one breast but not the other, King says. This position may also be more comfortable if you've had a C-section, Conde says, because it puts less pressure on your abdomen

Here's how to do this position:

1. Position the baby with their tummy against your body.

2. Scoop the baby's bottom into the crook of the arm on the side of the breast you're using. As with the cross body hold, position the heel of your palm at your baby's shoulder blades with your fingers supporting the neck and your thumb behind your baby's ear.

3. Use the opposite hand to support your breast and aim the nipple toward your baby's nose.

4. With a gentle grip, flex your wrist to tilt your baby's head back, wait for your baby to open their mouth wide, and then guide your nipple into their mouth.

This is often described as one of the most relaxing and comfortable positions for moms, Conde says, and may be useful for middle of the night feeds. If you use this position, remember to always return your baby to their own safe feeding place once they are finished eating.

Here's how to do this position:

1. Lay on your side with your knees bent. If you want additional support, you can place a pillow between your knees, behind your back, and under your head.

2. Position your baby so they are lying on their side with their tummy, knees, and chest facing you. Your baby's lower arm should be tucked under your beast and their top arm on top of your breast.

3. Your baby should be horizontal to your body and facing your breast with their mouth level with your nipple.

4. You can place a tightly rolled blanket or towel behind your baby to keep them from rolling onto their back.

5. When feeding from the right side, support your breast with your left hand to help guide your baby to your nipple and vice versa.

This hold is best for older babies who are beginning to support their bodies in a sitting position, King says. Feeding your baby in an upright position also helps air bubbles rise for release as a burp and may reduce discomfort from reflux.

Here's how to do this position:

1. Start in a comfortable upright seated position.

2. Place the baby on your lap facing you, an older baby may have their legs splayed out around you.

3. Adjust your posture as needed to offer the breast in a way that encourages your baby to tilt their head upward. You may need to straighten your spine, lean back, or elevate your legs.

4. Aim your nipple toward your baby's nose, wait for them to open their mouth wide, and then bring your baby to your breast.

Breastfeeding can be a wonderful experience for many parents, but may also take some practice. Learning the many feeding positions is a great way to prepare and help you start your breastfeeding journey with confidence, King says.

If you are struggling with breastfeeding or experiencing pain when feeding your baby, consult with your doctor who may refer you to a lactation consultant. Often with a few tweaks and guidance from an expert, you can overcome common breastfeeding challenges.

• Tickle your baby's lips with your nipple. This will help baby open their mouth wide.
• Aim your nipple just above your baby's top lip. Make sure your baby's chin isn't tucked into their chest.
• Aim your baby's lower lip away from the base of your nipple.

It’s totally normal for babies who are about 4 to 6 months old to become distracted while breastfeeding. They’re at the age where just about everything is interesting to look at! But it’s increasingly difficult for your baby to maintain a latch when they are, say, playing with your shirt or rolling around. To help your little one stay on track, dim the lights; shut off the TV and phone; and move to a room where no one else is. You can also try nursing in motion, like in a rocking chair and offering your baby something to hold and fidget with while feeding, such as a soft stuffy or blanket. White noise can also work wonders to get your nursing bub to a place of zen. (Psst: SNOObear offers both white noise and a cuddly stuffy to fidget with.)

Sometimes, as babies get bigger, they become super proficient at nursing and will be able to eat lightning fast. While it’s easy to worry that your baby isn’t getting enough milk since their feeds take less time, don't stress too much. Simply keep track of how often your baby nurses, how many wet diapers they have, and their general mood. If your wee tot is not getting cranky from hunger (and the pediatrician says all is well), then rest assured that they’re eating enough.

Once babies start teething around 6 months (give or take), they may start to gnaw and chew on everything in sight…including your breasts. If this happens, try your hardest to refrain from making a big noise or reaction. This could inadvertently encourage your little one to do it again! To avoid turning biting-while-nursing into a painful game, remove your baby from your breast right away—and then wait a moment before starting to nurse again. If the nibbling continues, stop the nursing session altogether and eventually your hungry tyke will learn!

One day your sweet little bundle of soft, warm joy is happily nursing until they drift off to sleep. And the next? They’re trying to do a headstand while still attached to your nipple. The key to getting through this phase is all about (their) flexibility and (your) patience. Let your child explore different nursing positions…but also set boundaries by unlatching if they get too rowdy.

Babies typically start eating age-appropriate solids around 6 months of age…but that in no way means you need to stop nursing. (The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding for the first 12 months.) Since babies aren't always great at eating solids right away, try nursing before a meal of solids, that way your kiddo will fill up on breastmilk first.

Even though your baby is growing, and their preferences and needs are changing, remember that nursing your child is a fantastic opportunity…and one that should be continued for as long as it works for both you and your baby.  If there’s interest from both parties, think of these hiccups simply as opportunities to continue to learn and bond together. With some diligence and persistence, you can clear these hurdles together.

More on breastfeeding:

What to Know About Breastfeeding Beyond a Year

The 10 Best Foods to Eat While Breastfeeding

How Do I Know If I Have a Low Milk Supply?

Real Parents, Real Talk on Breastfeeding

In the upright or koala hold, your baby sits straddling your thigh, or on your hip, with his spine and head upright as he feeds. You can do this hold with a newborn if you give your baby plenty of support, and it's also a convenient way to feed an older baby who can sit unaided.

Newborns like to snuggle up while they nurse, often falling asleep at the breast (and looking extremely adorable while doing so), but older babies (4-12 months) may have more active nursing habits. They may stay awake, maintain eye contact, or play with your hands and face while feeding. Say hello to the ever-changing tiny human who is quickly realizing there is a wide world out there. Keeping your little one focused and latched on can be a challenge, so I’ve put together my favorite tips to maximize your cuddly nursing sessions. Click the button below to download and print a handy infographic featuring these tips, and read on for detailed suggestions:

As babies move out of the newborn phase, they become increasingly aware of their surroundings and intrigued by even the slightest movements. If your baby is easily distracted while nursing, go to a quiet room or remove distractions for a more successful nursing session. Some families have a special nursing spot in their home where they always go to feed their baby.

Babies often come on and off the breast several times before milk lets down. To ensure your baby gets a good feed in, continue offering your breast until your milk begins to flow. To help your milk let down, try massaging your breast. You can also try switching back and forth between breasts. Once the milk begins flowing, your baby should become more interested. If they’re still distracted during the feed, be patient and persistent as you gently redirect them to your breast.

Many older babies like to massage or lightly pat the breast while feeding. This is to help encourage milk flow and emptying of the breast. If you find this uncomfortable (sometimes it feels like they’re clawing at your breast rather than giving it love pats!), give your baby a small toy to keep their little hands busy, or let them play with your fingers.

Some older babies may decide they want to sit on your lap to nurse rather than being cradled. Be flexible and try to find a comfortable position for both of you. Older infants may also want to continue doing whatever they were doing before nursing, while nursing. They may even try to take your breast with them as their attention shifts to something across the room. Remember that they’re learning about the world around them, and patiently try to redirect them to focus on eating.

While newborns can take 30-40 minutes to nurse, older babies may be done in a much shorter time. Many healthy babies become very efficient at removing milk from the breast as they get older. If you’re concerned about how much milk your baby is getting, reach out to an IBCLC. A consultation with a weighted feed (weighing your baby before and after a feeding to show how many ounces were received) is a great way to ensure your baby is successfully removing milk from the breast.

Some teething babies like to bite mom’s nipple while nursing to soothe their sore gums. While most babies aren’t doing this on purpose, some are trying to see what kind of response they’ll get. Offer a teether before nursing and watch for signs that your baby is nearing the end of the nursing session to help you avoid being bitten.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the World Health Organization (WHO) both recommend introducing age-appropriate solid foods around 6 months of age and continuing breastfeeding until at least 12 months (the AAP recommends 1 year, while the WHO recommends 2 years). Offering the breast before solids is a great way to ensure breast milk is still the main source of your baby’s nutrition while they’re experimenting with solid foods.

Nursing sessions are a great time to focus on your baby and tell them all about their world. They’re learning at lightning speed, and their little brains are like sponges absorbing all of the information. While nursing, you can sing to your baby, count their fingers and toes, identify body parts, gush over their cuteness, and even tell them about your day. Through this, they will learn eye contact, facial expressions, and language skills.

Breastfeeding is an incredible way to nourish your baby, and it’s a wonderful opportunity to continue building your bond. Nursing an older baby brings a new set of firsts; know that you’re not alone in the joys and struggles that may come during this phase. I hope these tips help you and your baby enjoy the peace nursing sessions can offer amid the hustle of your day. Soak in all those joyful, drooly milk smiles!

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This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please reach out to an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) or your health care team with any questions.