Breastfeeding in Side-lying
Breastfeeding In Sidelying
Breastfeeding in Sidelying
One of our top tips for the first few weeks after having a baby is to get as much horizontal rest as possible. But when you’re spending so much time sitting to breastfeed, this can be hard to do. So why not combine horizontal rest AND breastfeeding together?
Breastfeeding while lying down is a useful tool, especially for those women with:
· Pelvic organ prolapse
·Tailbone pain
·Back/shoulder/neck pain
It can take some time for you and your baby to get the hang of it, but once you’ve mastered the skill, you’ll love having a horizontal option for breastfeeding time.
How to do it
1. Place your baby on their back in the middle of your bed.
2. Lie on your side next to your baby, with a pillow under your head (make sure the pillow is well away from your baby’s head) and your bottom arm lying straight on the bed. You may also find it comfortable to put a pillow between your knees.
3. Line up your baby’s nose with your nipple.
4. Roll your baby onto their side. Younger babies might need a pillow behind their bottom to keep them in this position.
5. Let your baby find your nipple. You can use your top arm to shape your breast and guide the nipple into your baby’s mouth. Depending on the age of your baby and the size/shape of your breasts, some women find they need to prop themselves up on their bottom elbow and use their bottom hand to support their baby’s head to latch initially, then they can lie down fully once baby has latched well.
Key points to remember
· Breastfeeding should not hurt. If it feels like your baby has not got a good latch in this position, detach them (by putting your little finger into the corner of their mouth) and try again.
· If one side feels awkward to start with, try the other side. If both sides feel awkward, try again in a few days time. Remember it is a learning experience for your baby as well, and they might need a couple of attempts to get the hang of it.
· If you need further support with breastfeeding, make an appointment with a lactation consultant
· If you think you might drift off to sleep, remove any pillows keeping baby in place so they can roll onto their back and be clear of your breast. Visit the Red Nose website for safe co-sleeping guidelines.
For more breastfeeding tips and tricks, check out our blog post here.
Our physiotherapy team are experts in postnatal recovery and are here to help you through your journey. We recommend a standard postnatal check at 6 weeks post birth, however if you are experiencing mastitis symptoms, or find that breastfeeding is causing aches and pains, we can offer advice and treatment sooner.
We know adjusting to new born life is a beautifully chaotic time, so for your convenience, physiotherapy assessments can be made online HERE or by emailing info@thepelvicstudio.com. You can also call us on 6224 7195.