10 Best Upright Breastfeeding Positions for Newborn!

Last reviewed: November 6, 2026. Checked against current guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org), CDC, Cleveland Clinic, Children’s Minnesota, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the Australian Breastfeeding Association and NHS Fife.

Quick answer: The best upright breastfeeding positions for a newborn are the cradle hold, the cross-cradle hold and the football (clutch) hold, all done sitting up with your back well supported. The cross-cradle and football holds give you the most control while your newborn is learning to latch. The koala (straddle) hold is the most upright of all, but it works best once your baby has some head control. In every position, keep your baby tummy to tummy with you, head in line with the body, and bring your baby to the breast rather than the breast to your baby.

Learning to breastfeed takes practice for both of you. The way you hold your baby makes a big difference to how well they latch, how much milk they get and how comfortable you feel.

In this guide, “upright” mostly means positions where you sit up. We also include a few reclined and lying-down options, because many newborns and parents find them helpful, especially in the early weeks or after a C-section. Try a few and see what feels right. Most parents end up using more than one.

How to Set Up Any Breastfeeding Position

A few basics help in every hold:

• Get comfortable first. Support your back, and use pillows under your arms or baby and a footstool if it helps. Pillows are especially useful with a newborn.
• Feed on early hunger cues. Hands to the mouth, turning the head and lip smacking are early signs. A baby who is already crying hard may find it harder to latch.
• Line your baby up. Tummy facing you, head straight and in line with the body, not turned to the side.
• Bring your baby to the breast. Wait for a wide-open mouth, then bring baby in chin first so they take in as much of the areola as possible, not just the nipple.

10 Breastfeeding Positions for Newborns

1. Cradle Hold

The cradle hold is the most common breastfeeding position. Sit upright and hold your baby across your chest. Rest your baby’s head in the crook of your elbow on the same side as the breast you are feeding from, and turn your forearm so your baby’s body faces you. Use your other hand to support your breast if needed.

Good for: Most babies once they are latching well. Some parents find it harder to guide a tiny newborn’s head in this hold, so the cross-cradle hold may be easier at first.

2. Cross-Cradle Hold

The cross-cradle hold looks like the cradle hold, but you switch arms. Sit upright, ideally in a chair with armrests and a pillow on your lap. Hold your baby with the arm opposite the breast you are feeding from. Your hand supports your baby’s neck and upper back, with the back of the neck held gently between your thumb and fingers. Your free hand supports your breast.

Good for: Newborns and babies who have trouble latching. Because your hand guides the head, you have a lot of control.

3. Football Hold (Clutch Hold)

The football hold is also called the clutch or underarm hold. Sit up and place a pillow at your side. Tuck your baby along your side, under your arm, on the same side as the breast you are using. Your forearm supports your baby’s upper back, and your hand supports the shoulders, neck and head. Your baby’s legs point toward the back of your chair. A pillow under your elbow takes the weight.

Good for: Recovery after a C-section, because it keeps your baby’s weight off your incision. It also suits twins, larger breasts, flat nipples and small or premature babies. You can see both your nipple and your baby’s mouth, which makes latching easier to check.

4. Koala Hold (Straddle or Upright Hold)

This is the truly upright position. Sit comfortably and have your baby sit facing you, straddling your thigh or sitting on your hip, with their head and spine upright. Support your baby’s head and neck with one hand and your breast with the other.

Good for: Older babies who can hold their head up, feeding on the go, and parents who use a wheelchair or have limited mobility. With a newborn, you will need to support the head and neck the whole time, so most parents save this hold for later.

5. Laid-Back Breastfeeding

Laid-back breastfeeding is also called biological nurturing. Lean back into a semi-reclined position, with pillows behind you. Lay your baby tummy to tummy on top of you, with their head near your breast. Your body supports your baby, so your hands are freer, and this position may help your baby use their natural instincts to latch.

Good for: A strong letdown or a lot of milk, since gravity slows the flow. It is also gentle after a C-section and can help babies who spit up a lot or are gassy.

6. Side-Lying Position

Lie on your side with pillows behind your back and under your head. Place your baby on their side facing you, tummy to tummy, and bring them to your lower breast. Keep your back and hips in a straight line.

Good for: Resting, recovering from a C-section, or a strong letdown. Safety note: Stay awake and alert while feeding this way. When the feed is over, put your baby back in their own crib or bassinet, on their back, on a firm flat surface with no pillows or blankets.

7. Double Football Hold for Twins

If you have twins, you can feed both babies at once with a football hold on each side. Use pillows to support both babies’ heads and bodies. A lactation consultant can help you get set up the first few times.

8. Dancer Hand Position

The dancer hand position is a way of supporting your breast and your baby’s chin at the same time. You use it with the cross-cradle or football hold. Slide your hand under your breast and support it with three fingers. Then make a U shape with your thumb and forefinger and gently cradle your baby’s chin in it. This helps your baby stay on the breast and press the nipple and areola between their gums.

Good for: Babies with low muscle tone or a weak suck, such as some babies with Down syndrome. A lactation consultant can show you how to do it.

9. Breastfeeding in a Sling or Carrier

Once breastfeeding is going smoothly, some parents like to nurse in a sling or carrier. It is best not to try this until your baby is latching and feeding well. Take extra care with babies under 4 months, premature or low birth weight babies, and babies with a cold or breathing problems.

Slings can cause suffocation if a baby’s face is pressed against fabric or your body, or if their chin curls onto their chest. Follow the T.I.C.K.S. rule: Tight, In view at all times, Close enough to kiss, Keep chin off the chest, and Supported back. To feed, loosen the carrier slightly and lower your baby until they are in line with your nipple, keeping their face uncovered and in view. As soon as the feed ends, move your baby back up to an upright position with their face visible and their airway clear.

10. Dangle Feeding

In dangle feeding, your baby lies on their back and you lean over them on your hands and knees, so your breast hangs down to their mouth. Some parents try it for a plugged duct, but there is little research to show that it helps, and it is not a position for everyday feeds. If you have a painful lump, redness or a fever, call your doctor or a lactation consultant instead of relying on this position.

Breastfeeding Positions Compared

Recovering from surgery? Our guide to the best breastfeeding positions after a C-section goes into more detail.

How Do I Know My Baby Is Latched Well?

Whatever position you choose, look for these signs of a good latch:

• Your baby’s mouth is open wide over the areola, with lips turned outward.
• Their chin rests against your breast, and their head is straight, not turned to the side.
• You can see and hear regular swallowing.
• Feeding feels comfortable after the first few sucks. Ongoing pain is a sign the latch needs work.

If you hear clicking while your baby feeds, it can be a sign the latch needs adjusting. Our article on why babies make clicking sounds when breastfeeding explains common causes and fixes.

How Do I Know My Newborn Is Getting Enough Milk?

According to the CDC, signs that your baby is getting enough include:

• Breastfeeding 8 to 12 times in 24 hours. In the first weeks, many babies feed every 1 to 3 hours, including at night.
• Seeming content after feeds.
• At least 6 wet diapers and 3 poops a day by day 5 to 7.
• Being back to birth weight by 10 to 14 days of age.

Read more in our guide to how often a newborn eats.

When to Call the Doctor or a Lactation Consultant

Call your baby’s doctor if:

• Your baby feeds fewer than 8 times a day most days, or you can’t see or hear swallowing.
• Your baby keeps losing weight after day 5, or has fewer than 6 wet diapers and 3 poops a day by 5 days old.
• Your baby’s skin or the whites of the eyes look yellow.
• Your baby seems fussy after most feeds or has trouble staying latched.
• You are worried about your baby’s health or how much they are eating.

Reach out to a lactation consultant or your own doctor if breastfeeding hurts, if your nipples are cracked or bleeding, or if you have a painful red area on your breast, a fever or flu-like feelings. For nipple pain, see our tips on treating sore, cracked nipples.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best breastfeeding position for a newborn?

There is no single best position. Many parents start with the cross-cradle or football hold, because they give you good control of your baby’s head while you both learn to latch. Once feeding is going well, the cradle hold is often the easiest.

Can I breastfeed my newborn sitting straight up?

Yes. The cradle, cross-cradle and football holds are all done sitting up. Sitting with your back supported and pillows under your arms helps avoid back and shoulder strain. A fully upright baby, as in the koala hold, works better once your baby has more head control.

Which breastfeeding position is best after a C-section?

The football hold keeps your baby’s weight off your incision. Laid-back and side-lying positions are also gentle while you heal. Use pillows to protect your belly.

Which position helps with a fast letdown?

Laid-back breastfeeding can help, because your baby feeds against gravity and the milk flows more slowly. Side-lying may also help some babies cope with a strong flow.

Is it safe to breastfeed lying down at night?

Side-lying feeds can be restful, but try to stay awake. When the feed is over, put your baby back in their own crib or bassinet, on their back, on a firm flat surface with nothing soft in it.

Can breastfeeding position help with spit-up or gas?

Some babies who spit up often or are gassy do better in a laid-back position. If your baby spits up a lot and is not gaining weight, or seems in pain, talk to your pediatrician.

The Bottom Line

The cradle, cross-cradle and football holds are the classic upright positions for breastfeeding a newborn, and the cross-cradle and football holds are often easiest while your baby learns to latch. Laid-back and side-lying positions are good to have in your toolkit too, especially after a C-section or with a strong letdown. Keep your baby tummy to tummy, head in line with the body, and bring them to the breast. If feeding hurts or you are worried your baby isn’t getting enough, a lactation consultant or your pediatrician can help.

This article is for general information and isn’t a substitute for medical advice. Always contact your pediatrician with questions about your baby’s health.