CRADLE HOLD POSITION - OVERVIEW
- Cradle Hold
- Mar 5, 2024
- 22 min read
Updated: May 12
Cradle Hold Position
The Cradle Hold is effective from birth through weaning. It is time-tested and works for the vast majority of women.
But bodies come in different shapes and sizes.
For women whose bodies have a shorter torso and breasts that are large enough, that when baby lays on mom's lap, the breast reaches down to baby's mouth, the Lap Nursing Position is recommended.
Baby does not need to be lifted to the breast.
Mom's lap totally supports baby's head and body.
For moms using the Lap Nursing position, much of the positioning information about the Cradle Hold will also apply, such as making sure baby's lips are flanged out, not curled in, and making sure that baby latches onto all the nipple and some of the areola.
So, I suggest reading all of this Cradle Hold article as well as the Lap Nursing article.
For Lap Nursing information see Lap Nursing Position.
The Cradle Hold is effective from birth through weaning. Baby is comfortably supported on mother's arm .
The Lap Nursing Position effectively supports baby on mother's lap.
This position works when a mom has a shorter torso and breasts large enough to reach baby's mouth as he lays on mom's lap.
Cradle Hold Position - When baby is nursing on the left breast:
Place baby's head on top of mother's left elbow area.
Baby's stomach should be touching mother's stomach.
Mother's right hand supports her left breast in the c-hold hand position;
thumb above the nipple area, four fingers under the breast, all
fingers out of the way of baby's mouth during latch on.
Mother's left hand is holding baby's back or bottom.
Mother touches her nipple to baby’s lips.
When baby's mouth opens wide, mother's left arm pulls baby in close to breast.
Baby latches on. Baby should have all the nipple and some of the areola (the darker skin around the nipple) in his mouth.
Mother can remove her hand that is supporting the breast, if comfortable.
Make sure that baby's hands are out of the way during latch on.
Baby's lower arm, his right arm when nursing on the left breast, can be held by mother's left arm / elbow. Baby's upper arm, his left arm when nursing on the left breast, should be above mom's left breast.
Baby should look like he is giving mom a big hug.
A helper can keep baby's arms out of the way. Babies learn quickly but, in the beginning, they often curl their hands into the fetal position with their hands in front of their mouth, which gets in the way of latching.
Once they start nursing, babies usually relax their arms.
Mother sits back against the back of the chair. Then gravity can help baby get a deeper latch.
Switch sides when baby loses interest in that breast, if still awake.
Nurse for 10 -15 minutes on a side then release the suction by placing a finger gently in the side of baby's mouth.
Offer the other breast and nurse for 10-15 minutes.
When baby is awake and willing, switch to the other side. Repeat.
Mother should drink lots of pure water while nursing and between nursing sessions.
Drinking water helps the milk to flow.
When baby is nursing on the right breast;
Place baby's head on top of mother's right elbow area.
Mother's left hand supports her right breast in the c-hold hand position.
Mother's right hand is holding baby's back or bottom.
If something does not feel correct, is not comfortable, check the following;
Is baby's stomach touching mother's stomach? If not, pull baby in closer.
Is mother or anyone else pushing baby's head onto the breast? If yes, don't!
Baby's head should be resting on top of mother's elbow area, which is the perfect support during latch on.
Is baby's mouth in front of the nipple while latching, like an arrow to a bulls eye target? If not, adjust baby on mother's arm until this is so.
If still not comfortable, watch this Cradle Hold video, comparing how you are nursing with the mom and baby in the video and continue reading this article for more information.
Watch how the mother latches on and breastfeeds in the Cradle Hold.
Compare how you are latching and nursing with this mom.
CRADLE HOLD POSITION - IN DEPTH INFORMATION
Note: HSH stands for 'hand supporting the head or neck hold'.
The HSH holds include the Cross Cradle Hold, Football Hold, and
Log Hold positions. HSH positions are NOT recommended.
Ideally mothers will learn the following information during pregnancy and will review it all once baby is in their arms and whenever needed.
We strongly recommend that moms 'practice' the Cradle Hold with a doll before baby comes. And we recommend that dads also practice the Cradle Hold with a doll so that they can remind moms of how to do the Cradle Hold if people give them unhelpful positioning information at birth.
Whether pregnant or if your baby is already in your arms, this information is the foundation of natural breastfeeding.
1. USE A DOLL TO PRACTICE LATCHING ON AND NOT TOUCHING THE BACK OF BABY'S HEAD.
Practice the Cradle Hold first with a baby sized doll or Teddy Bear.
If you don't have a doll or Teddy Bear, a rolled-up towel or small pillow that is about the size of a newborn can be used.
Follow the above Cradle Hold Position Overview guidelines.
a. Feel what it is like to wrap the doll around your stomach, around your pregnant baby belly, tummy to tummy.
b. Practice placing the doll's head on top of your elbow area.
c. Practice lining up baby's mouth with your nipple.
d. Practice NOT touching the back of the doll's head at latch on.
2. HOLD BABY IN THE CRADLE HOLD WITH BREASTS COVERED.
Before trying to nurse baby in the Cradle Hold, it often helps to have mother hold the baby in the Cradle Hold while her shirt is on, covering her breasts. This helps mother and baby to get comfortable with this position if they have been using an HSH position such as the Cross Cradle Hold.
3. KEEP BABY TUMMY TO TUMMY WITH HIS HEAD RESTING ON TOP OF MOM'S ELBOW AREA.
Now with your baby, to nurse on the left breast, make sure baby's head is on top of your left elbow area and you are 'tummy to tummy'.
No space should be visible between the baby's stomach and the mother's stomach. This helps avoid the nose-dive approach some babies do when mother is supporting his head, but his body is not snuggled in close to her stomach.
Watch how this mom pulls baby in closer so that they are tummy to tummy.
4. TO SWADDLE OR NOT TO SWADDLE WHILE NURSING, WE ARE OFTEN ASKED THIS QUESTION.
When a mother tries to latch on a baby who is swaddled with his arms in front of his body, the angle of baby's body is tilted away from mother's body by his arms. This can interfere with latching on, with baby's nose being blocked by the breast and his arms keeping him from getting tummy to tummy with mom.
Swaddling is helpful at times between feedings, of course.
But baby's arms should be loose while breastfeeding so that he can
'give mom a big hug' with his arms and thus achieve a deeper latch.
5. BABY'S HEAD RESTS ON TOP OF MOTHER'S ELBOW AREA.
Baby's head is supported comfortably on top of mother's elbow area in the Cradle Hold Position.
Baby's head rests on top of the mother's elbow area in the Cradle Hold.
For example, when a baby is nursing on mom's left breast, his head rests on top of the mother's left elbow area.
You will find the 'sweet spot' for placement of baby's head on top of the elbow area. Baby's head should be balanced on mom's arm. If his head is not on top of the arm it may either fall towards mom's body or fall away from it.
The 'sweet spot' is one of balance on top of the arm, with baby's mouth directly in front of mom's nipple.
This is easier to do than for me to describe, but once you find that sweet spot, you will feel it, kinetically imprint with it, and be able to find it again for your next nursing session without anyone else’s help.
Mother's left hand is on baby's back or bottom area.
Her right hand can be used to support the breast if needed.
6. BREAST SUPPORT WHILE NURSING: THE C-HAND HOLD POSITION IS COMFORTABLE AND EFFECTIVE.
The C-Hand Hold may be used to support the breast if needed.
This breast support hold keeps the mom's fingers out of the way at latch on and is comfortable for the mom's wrist and fingers.
If necessary, when nursing on the left breast, mother can support her left breast with her right hand in the C-Hand Hold.
Place the 4 fingers under the breast and thumb above the nipple area, with all fingers away from the nipple and baby's mouth.
This breast support position is more comfortable for the mom's wrist than other breast support holds such as the U-Hand Hold, where the mother bends her wrist in an almost 90-degree angle.
The C-Hand Hold is also easier for keeping her fingers away from baby's mouth at latch than the Scissors Hold. In the scissors hold, the mom's index and middle fingers surround the nipple to try to guide the nipple to baby's mouth. Many mothers find the scissors hold uncomfortable for any length of time and difficult to separate their fingers far enough apart to latch without getting her fingers in the way of baby's mouth.
Most lactation literature teaches that the mother's nipple should be pointed to the roof of baby's mouth, we do NOT. Moms try to do this and use the scissors hand hold to direct the nipple. This is unnecessary.
In the Cradle Hold, supporting the breast with the C-Hand Hold and using the Bull's Eye Technique to latch on, baby is an active partner in the latch on process. This is how mothers have been breastfeeding since the beginning of humankind.
7. THE BULL'S EYE TECHNIQUE IS USEFUL FOR LATCHING.
The bull's eye target technique of centering the baby's mouth in front of the nipple as if it was a target, helps to get a deep latch.
If baby is having a hard time latching, you may need to adjust where his head is on your arm.
His mouth should be directly in front of mom's nipple.
Think of an arrow going towards a target. The arrow goes straight into the center of the target.
Similarly, the nipple needs to go straight into the center of baby's mouth.
8. TOUCH BABY'S MOUTH WITH NIPPLE, BABY OPENS MOUTH.
Mother gently touches the baby's lips with her nipple and as he reaches with his mouth to latch, mother pulls him in close with her supporting arm.
Supporting arm is the left arm when baby is nursing on the left breast, right arm when baby is nursing on the right breast.
9. BABY NEEDS TO TAKE IN ALL OF THE NIPPLE AND SOME OR ALL OF THE AREOLA WHEN LATCHING.
Remember that the baby needs to take in all the nipple and some of the areola, the darker skin around the nipple, for an effective latch.
If baby latches onto the nipple only, it will hurt!
Mother can gently put her finger in the side of baby's mouth to release the suction and try again.
Babies that are crying usually have their mouths open wide. This is a good time to latch!
10. CLEAR BABY'S NOSE BY PULLING HIS HIPS CLOSER INTO YOUR HIP.
If baby's nose is being blocked by the breast, if it is too close to the breast to breathe, try pulling his hips in closer to mother's hip.
This will tilt baby's face slightly back, freeing baby's nostrils, without unlatching.
Babies are usually fine if only one of their nostrils is blocked, but we encourage you to keep both nostrils clear.
11. BABY'S HEAD CONTROL DURING LATCH ON.
With the 'Breastfeeding Positions That Help', the Cradle Hold, Lap Nursing, and Lying Down Positions, baby is an active partner in the latch on process, helping to determine when he is ready to latch.
In the Cradle Hold, mother's arm comfortably supports his head at nipple level.
In the Lap Nursing Hold, mother's lap supports baby's body and head, and mother's breast is large enough that her nipple reaches down to baby's mouth.
In the Lying Down Position, the bed supports baby's body and head.
Mother lies down next to baby and places her breast so that baby can latch on.
In these positions the baby can move his mouth to the nipple. He can make any adjustments necessary to latch.
This differs from the 'Breastfeeding Positions that Hinder', the HSH positions, the Cross Cradle Hold, Football Hold, and Log Hold.
In the HSH positions the baby's head is lifted by the mother's hand.
In the HSH positions the mother is holding baby's head or neck, so baby does not have the ability to help move his mouth to the breast.
Mother has 'total control'. This restricts baby from being an active partner in the latch on process because mother is lifting and holding the baby's head. This prevents baby from making those last minor adjustments that he needs to make for effective and comfortable latching.
The mother tries to determine when to latch the baby, when is his mouth open wide enough and for long enough, often with poor results.
So, while some say that the HSH positions have better head control,
we have seen that the baby latches on better when he is allowed to be an active partner in the Cradle Hold Position.
In addition, the mother is more comfortable holding baby in the Cradle Hold because her elbow area is stronger and can hold him for long periods of time, for as long as he needs to nurse.
In the HSH positions, mothers often complain of sore hands, wrists, arms, and backs because they are supporting baby on their weaker wrist and forearm.
VERY IMPORTANT: AVOID TOUCHING THE BACK OF BABY'S HEAD AND NECK WITH YOUR FINGERS AND HAND WHEN LATCHING AND BREASTFEEDING.
Try not to touch, hold, or push the baby's head with a hand or fingers during latching or nursing as this may trigger the Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex and cause him to come off the breast.
Lactation literature teaches that the Cross Cradle Hold is 'better for head control' than the time-tested, effective Cradle Hold.
And while holding the back of baby's head or neck in the Cross Cradle or Football Hold positions to lift him to the breast may look like it offers more head control, the newborn reflex called the Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex (TLR) is not being taken into consideration. This reflex aids in the birthing process and lasts for a few months after birth.
This reflex causes the baby to turn towards whatever touches his face or head. The Cross Cradle Hold with the mom's hand on the back of baby's head triggers this reflex. Baby turns away from the breast towards the hand on the back of his head, or will bob on and off the breast, or will latch but not suck well. This often causes latch on problems, sore nipples, etc.
And whether the mom holds baby's head or neck, moms get sore wrists and arms from holding a baby in the Cross Cradle Hold for the length of time it takes a baby to nurse.
Caution - In HSH positions, the Cross Cradle Hold, Football Hold, and the Log Hold, the mom's hand on the back of baby's head triggers the Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex (TLR) in baby's early months.
See the difference? In the Cradle Hold Position, baby's head rests on top of mom's elbow area at nipple level. Baby is an active partner in latching as he can make any needed latch adjustments with his head. Mother is not lifting baby's head to her breast with her hand as in the HSH positions.
For more information about the problems that the HSH positions; the
Cross Cradle Hold, Football Hold and Log Hold often cause
12. MAKE SURE BABY'S LIPS ARE FLANGED OUT.
In the Cradle Hold, baby's lips naturally flange out as he reaches for the breast from mother's arm and latches when he is ready.
When baby is latched on properly both the upper and lower lips should be flanged out, not curled in.
You should be able to see some of the pink skin of the lips.
This is more easily done when baby is in the Cradle Hold. Mother will be able to see both of baby's lips in this position.
If you cannot see some of the lip skin flanged out and / or are in pain, you can help to flange baby's lips. Do this when baby is latched on.
If the top lip is curled in, place your finger on the skin between baby's upper lip and nose and gently push the skin up towards the nose.
This will flange out the upper lip.
If the lower lip is curled in, place your finger on baby's chin and gently pull down. This will flange out the baby's lower lip.
When both lips are flanged out, mothers usually feel instant relief.
Babies quickly learn to flange out their lips correctly in the Cradle Hold.
In the HSH positions, Cross Cradle Hold, Football Hold and Log Hold,
the mother is lifting the baby's head to the breast with her hand.
She tries to determine when baby's mouth will be open wide enough and long enough for a good latch. This can cause improper latching.
With the mother's hand on the back of baby's head, baby often reacts to the hand (Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex) by pushing back towards the hand and closing his mouth too soon for a deep latch. Often the baby closes on the nipple only, which is painful. This can cause the mother to mash the baby onto the breast, pushing in the lips rather than allowing them to flange out properly.
Some will say that it is easier to see if baby's lips are flanged out properly in the Cross Cradle Hold. Both the Cradle and the Cross Cradle Holds have the baby's body lying in similar positions with only the mother's hand positions differing. The mother's view of the baby's lips is the same. The mother can best tell when the lips are not flanged out properly by the way it feels, it hurts!
Observe how baby's lips flange out, they should not curl in.
In the Cradle Hold Position it is easy to help flange out baby's lips if needed.
13. TUCK BABY'S LOWER ARM UNDER MOTHER'S ELBOW, UPPER ARM ABOVE THE BREAST.
Keep the baby's hands away from his mouth at latch on by tucking his lower arm under the mom's elbow and gently placing the upper arm away from his mouth on top of the breast.
Newborns are used to being in the fetal position in the womb. It takes a bit of time for them to relax but they do when they are nursing and getting their bellies filled!
In the beginning it is helpful for Dad or another helper to hold babies’ hands away from his face if he is trying to put them in his mouth during latch on.
Do this gently, helping baby to 'give Mom a big hug' with his arms.
When nursing, we caution mothers against putting the baby's arms between baby's body and mother's body, as in swaddling. This pushes the baby's body away from the mother. It interferes with getting tummy to tummy for a deep latch.
14. Growth Spurts and the Supply and Demand Mechanism of Breastfeeding
As babies grow, their milk intake needs, their food requirements, increase.
With natural breastfeeding, babies are active partners in building their mother's milk supply.
It is a mother - baby team effort, no products needed.
As babies grow, they go through growth spurts, where they seem to nurse all the time, for a few days, then go back to a less intense nursing schedule.
Babies instinctually know how to make more milk by nursing more frequently and for longer periods of time.
During these periods, moms often feel like they are in a breastfeeding marathon.
But as with all marathons, the end will come, and the prize is a milk supply that meets baby's current size.
The increased nursing tells mom's body to make more milk.
The increased 'demand' tells mom's body to 'supply' more milk.
This is the Supply and Demand Mechanism of breastfeeding in action.
Once the milk supply meets baby's current needs, he will slow down on nursing.
Mom does not have to do anything to increase her milk supply except follow baby's cues as to how often and for how long to nurse.
Mom does not have to try to determine how much milk her baby needs.
Her body and baby are partners in producing enough milk at every stage of baby's growth.
Pacifiers interfere with the Supply and Demand Mechanism of breastfeeding.
With natural breastfeeding, a delicate balance is achieved between baby's sucking and a mother's milk production.
The baby's hunger and his instinctual urge to suck, both help baby to tell mother's body, by his sucking, to make enough milk for his growing needs.
One cannot really make a distinction between comfort nursing and hunger nursing.
Whenever baby nurses, he will get some breastmilk.
And whenever baby nurses, he will be comforted.
This helps to build a full milk supply.
During the time when a baby sucks on a pacifier, mom's breast is not receiving stimulation to make milk.
Baby is getting his urge to suck satisfied, but mom's breast is not receiving the message to make milk.
If you are worried about a low milk supply, we recommend holding off pacifier usage.
Nipple shields can interfere with the Supply and Demand Mechanism of breastfeeding.
We do not recommend nipple shields because they can prevent the mother's breast from receiving enough stimulation to adequately increase the milk supply.
Moms are often told to pump because the nipple shields reduce the needed stimulation.
Moms have shared that they were told to bring their pump to the hospital when labor begins, just in case they have a low milk supply problem.
Mothers following natural breastfeeding techniques including using the
Cradle Hold Position (or Lap Nursing Position), nursing on cue, avoiding all products including nipple shields and pacifiers, rarely have a low milk supply or breastfeeding problems.
For more information about the problems that nipple shields, pacifiers and other products can cause see Technique Cautions and Product Cautions
15. Babies sometimes prefer one breast over the other.
At birth, sometimes babies will prefer one side over the other.
This happens, babies need to learn that both breasts will fill his tummy.
Why does this happen? If only babies could talk!
Perhaps one side of his face or his neck is sore from the birthing process?
We suggest that you keep offering both sides.
Try starting with the preferred side when he is hungriest, then offer the other side.
Try the less preferred side at all times of the day and night in the Cradle Hold and in the Lying Down Position.
Try this:
The Lying Down Position may be helpful in getting baby interested in both breasts and avoiding engorgement.
If baby prefers the left breast and is refusing to nurse on the right side,
Place baby on his right side, facing mom.
Place a firm pillow behind his back.
Mom lies down on her left side, close to baby.
Baby nurses on her left breast.
When done on left breast, mom breaks the suction by putting her finger in baby's mouth, if needed.
Keeping baby in the same position,
Mom offers right breast, by lowering her upper shoulder, her right shoulder, so that her right breast can be reached by baby.
Baby nurses on right breast.
16. NURSING STATIONS IN YOUR HOME ARE VERY HELPFUL.
We highly recommend setting up places to nurse in your home. Many moms will set up a nursing station in baby's nursery or their bedroom and another one in the family room or wherever the 'action is' during the day.
This can be done during pregnancy and adjusted as needed.
Think about what you will need to be comfortable and able to nurse for the length of time your baby will need you through the day.
Suggested items for a nursing station:
Comfortable chair that you can lean back in. Leaning back works with gravity to keep baby closer to mom's body for a deeper latch.
An upholstered rocking chair is a great option.
Couches work, of course, just scoot your hips forward a few inches so that you can lean back.
Ottoman, coffee table or big exercise ball to put your feet up on.
Water bottles, one or more, or a pitcher and glass for water
Snacks for Mom
Diapers, wipes and a garbage can or place to put dirty diapers
Burp cloths (such as cotton diapers).
Small blanket
Phone, remember to take lots of pictures!
TV remote
Books
Bible
Whatever else mom wants for comfort
For older children:
books, quiet toys, music to sing with them.
a brush and clips that the older child can do your hair with while you nurse the baby.
soft balls: Mom can sit on the floor, nursing baby, and roll the ball to the older child.
games that Mom can play with older child while sitting on the floor and nursing baby such as puzzles.
Bible verses, poems, nursery rhymes that you can share with older child while nursing.
family photo albums that older child can look at.
17. USE ANY HOUSEHOLD PILLOWS THAT WORK FOR THE CURRENT SIZE OF MOTHER AND BABY.
While there are some very nice breastfeeding pillows available these days, mothers have successfully breastfed since the beginning of humankind, using whatever pillows were available.
A mother's body is going to change, it will go back towards its' pre-pregnancy size.
The baby's body will grow and grow!
Under these circumstances, how could one certain pillow be useful for any length of time?
We recommend using any pillow or pillows from around the house, that help for your current size and baby's current size.
And not all women need pillows, some use them during the newborn phase and not afterwards.
Please do not feel that you must have a special pillow to effectively breastfeed.
The idea is to use pillow(s) that will help you to latch on, then lean back and nurse, keeping baby tummy to tummy. Use pillows that support mother's arms and baby as needed.
Leaning back works with gravity to keep baby on mom's tummy for a deep latch.
Mothers using the Cradle Hold Position find that they outgrow the need for pillows and find freedom in being able to nurse whenever and wherever the baby needs, without bringing a certain pillow with them.
Sometimes mothers will try to adjust their position to fit the pillow. This can be problematic. Mothers may lean forward over the pillow to nurse instead of latching then leaning back against the couch. Or they may sit up straight so that the baby stays on the pillow and stays latched.
Leaning back helps baby keep a deeper, more effective latch, and is more comfortable for the mom.
The use of special breastfeeding pillows greatly increased since the promotion of the Cross Cradle Hold.
For a moms' story that includes her experience with special breastfeeding pillows, see 'Mother Testimonials/ Jackie'.
18. HOW DO I KNOW THAT MY BABY IS GETTING ENOUGH MILK?
How do you know when baby is getting enough milk?
What goes in, comes out!
After a mother's mature milk comes in, which is usually around the third to fifth day after birth, baby should have 5-6 wet disposable diapers per day, or 6-8 wet cloth diapers per day, or more. There should be 2 or more bowel movements on those wet diapers.
If you are not sure if a disposable diaper is wet, try holding it in one hand and a brand new diaper in the other hand to compare.
Cloth diapers are easier to determine wetness, are reusable, are very ecological and are easy to use. My 2 cents...
19. HOW DO I KNOW IF MY BREASTFED BABY IS GAINING WEIGHT PROPERLY?
Remember that all babies have unique growth patterns, and that growth often comes in spurts, not at a steady pace.
Look at the baby's weight gain since birth.
Start at his lowest weight if there was any weight loss.
Add the number of ounces he has gained and divide by the number of weeks he is old.
(16 ounces = 1 pound)
For example: if birth weight was
7 lbs (112 oz)
and one week check up weight was
6.3 lbs (100.8 oz)
112 oz - 100.8 oz = 11.2 oz
baby lost 10 % of his birth weight (11.2 oz)
100.8 oz is his lowest weight (100.8 oz/ 16oz = 6.3 lbs)
at the 2 week checkup;
baby weighed 7 lbs
at 4 week checkup;
baby weighed 7 lbs 14 oz
Is this totally breastfed baby gaining enough?
lowest weight was 6.3 lbs (100.8 oz)
current weight at 4 weeks is
7 lbs 14 oz (126 oz)
total ounces gained =
126 oz - 100.8 oz = 25.2 oz gained
totally breastfed babies weight gain should
average 4-7 ounces per week or more
ounces gained = 25.2 oz
baby is 4 weeks old
divide ounces gained by number of weeks old;
25.2 oz / 4 weeks = 6.3 oz / week
Yes, the weight gain of this baby is in the healthy range of 4-7 oz / week!
Babies should also be growing in length, in head circumference, and in developmental stages. They should grow out of their clothes.
All these are signs that baby is getting enough breastmilk.
If baby is not gaining an average of 4-7 ounces each week, a red flag should go up for you.
Nursing should be evaluated; is baby nursing frequently enough? at least 8-12 times per day? and for long enough? with many of the feedings being at least 10 minutes on a side, using both sides at many of the daily feedings?
Position needs to be one that helps, not hinders.
Many babies are losing a pound or more of weight when nursed in an HSH position; in the Cross Cradle Hold, Football or Log Holds.
This is very dangerous.
If a baby has lost a lot of weight, he may be too weak to bring in the milk supply by himself. In this situation the baby will need additional pumped milk or formula, fed preferably with an eye dropper, to build up his strength.
Nurse baby in the Cradle Hold position as frequently as possible to help increase the milk supply.
Please know that just because a baby was weak because of an insufficient milk intake while nursing in the Cross Cradle Hold, or other HSH position, that doesn't mean that there will always be a milk supply problem.
We have seen many, many, many babies who went from using the
Cross Cradle Hold and who lost over a pound of weight, to thriving and gaining well once mom switched to the Cradle Hold position.
20. AVOID BOTTLES, PACIFIERS AND ALL ARTIFICIAL NIPPLES UNTIL BABY IS OLDER THAN 6 WEEKS
Introducing bottles or pacifiers before baby is 6 weeks old may cause problems.
Babies need time to learn how to nurse. This learning window is interfered with when bottles or pacifiers are given to babies who are under 6 weeks of age.
Babies given bottles or pacifiers before 6 weeks may bite the artificial nipples. This is not a problem with a bottle, but when baby goes back to nursing, he may bite mom the way he bites a bottle nipple. This is not acceptable, it hurts!
Babies may develop a preference for the bottle, as milk comes out of a bottle faster than from the breast.
Nature intends that baby work a bit harder to nurse, as this exercises baby's jaw and tongue muscles in different ways than drinking from a bottle. This aids in speech development.
One mother shared that she noticed a regression in her daughter's ability to flange out her lips (baby curled her lips in), after she started using bottles.
Baby went from opening her mouth wide at latch on to 'nibbling her way onto the breast', while doing some feeds with bottles.
Waiting to introduce bottles or pacifiers gives baby time to master natural breastfeeding techniques.
After 6 weeks babies usually can go between bottle and breast without any problems.
21. HEALING SORE NIPPLES.
For mothers who have experienced nipple soreness, time to heal is needed.
The good news is that their body will heal, sometimes in only 48 hours of nursing correctly in the Cradle Hold Position.
Look for progress; is the nipple soreness decreasing or gone?
Is baby nursing more contentedly and for longer periods of time?
Is his weight improving?
Do you feel that baby is nursing more effectively?
Sometimes the HSH positions have created problems that need to be corrected before you see the original problem, which still must be dealt with.
In addition to using the Cradle Hold, Lap Nursing Hold or Lying Down positions, there are other important actions needed to do to help heal sore nipples;
Avoid using nipple shields
Avoid using gel packs or cling wrap
Avoid milk collectors or wearing breast pumps
Allow air to get to nipples, go without a bra as much as possible, wear loose cotton shirts
Change nursing pads as soon as they get damp, or go without them
Avoid nipple creams containing steroids (corticosteroids)
Leave some breastmilk on the nipples after nursing and allow to dry.
Breastmilk has antibacterial qualities.
Re-read this article and make sure your nursing position is correct.
For an in-depth read on healing sore nipples and sore breasts see Sore Breast Help and Sore Nipple Help
For more information about product and technique cautions see Product Cautions and Technique Cautions.
22. HEALING IS A PROCESS.
Healing is a process. Many mothers report an immediate improvement in comfort when they switch to the Cradle Hold Position.
But complete healing can take days, weeks or longer depending on the severity of the problems. It is not a guarantee, especially if artificial nipples have been used for a while.
Look for progress, have faith that your precious baby will thrive, and your body will heal. We have seen hundreds of moms get through it!
And know that once you have learned natural breastfeeding techniques with this baby, it will be EASY with your future babies!
