Cradle hold

The cradle hold is good for babies of any age. The cradle hold may work best in a chair with armrests.

• Hold your baby in the arm on the same side as the breast the baby will feed from.
• Rest your baby's head comfortably in the bend of your elbow, facing your breast. It can help to place your arm on the chair's armrest and have a pillow on your lap to lift the baby so you don't need to bend forward.
• With the arm that isn't holding the baby, use your hand to support your breast from the underside in a U-shaped hold or a C-shaped hold.
• Guide the baby's mouth to your breast. The baby's head should be in line with the baby's body, not turned to the side.

As you try this hold, watch your baby's head. Because you aren't holding the head, it can move around. This might become more of a problem as the baby gets older and becomes easily distracted.

Cradle hold is one of the most common ways to breastfeed. If you have your baby in a sling, cradle hold can work well. So this hold may be a good option if you are away from home or in the middle of an activity.