The five breastfeeding positions most new mums in Kenya find easiest to start with are the cradle hold, the cross-cradle hold, the rugby (football) hold, the side-lying position, and the laid-back position. There is no single “correct” one. The best position is the one that lets your baby latch deeply while your shoulders, back and arms stay relaxed. Most mums end up using two or three, switching depending on the time of day and how tired they are.
If you are reading this in the first few weeks with your newborn, take a breath. Feeding can feel clumsy at the start for almost everyone. It is a skill you and your baby learn together, and small changes to how you hold your little one often fix the soreness, the fussing and the “is he even getting milk?” worry that so many Kenyan mums quietly carry.
We put this guide together for World Breastfeeding Week, which runs 1 to 7 August every year. The encouraging news locally: exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months has climbed from about 13% in 2003 to roughly 60% by the 2022 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey, a large improvement over two decades. You are part of a big, growing community of mums doing this.
Why does breastfeeding position matter so much?
Position is not about looking neat in a photo. It is about the latch. When your baby is held close, chest to chest, with their whole body supported, they can open wide and take a big mouthful of breast rather than just the nipple. A shallow latch is the number one reason for cracked, painful nipples in the early days.
The World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, then continued breastfeeding alongside complementary foods up to two years of age or beyond. That is a long relationship, so comfort matters. A position that strains your back at 2am is not one you will keep up for months.
Good positioning also protects your milk supply. A baby who latches well drains the breast well, and a well-drained breast keeps making milk. It really is that connected.
What does a good latch look and feel like?
Before we go position by position, learn the signs of a good breastfeeding latch. These stay the same no matter how you are holding your baby, according to guidance from La Leche League International and lactation resources like KellyMom:
- Your baby’s mouth is open wide, like a yawn, before they go on.
- Both lips are flanged outward, not tucked in. You may barely see the bottom lip.
- The chin presses into the breast and the nose is clear or just brushing.
- More of the darker areola shows above the top lip than below.
- You hear or see rhythmic swallowing, sometimes soft “kah” gulps.
- After the first few seconds of tugging, it does not hurt.
Here is a fact worth memorising: pain is a message, not a normal part of feeding. Ongoing pinching, biting or toe-curling pain almost always means a shallow latch. Gently break the suction with a clean finger in the corner of your baby’s mouth, and try again. You are allowed as many gentle restarts as you need.
The 5 breastfeeding positions to try
These five nursing positions cover almost every situation a new mum meets. Try each one and keep the ones your body likes.
1. The cradle hold
This is the classic position most people picture. Your baby lies across your front, tummy to tummy with you, their head resting in the bend of the arm on the same side as the breast they are feeding from. Your forearm supports their back, your hand holds their bottom or thigh.
It is comfortable and natural once feeding is established, but it gives a newborn’s wobbly head less support. Many mums find it works better after the first few weeks. A firm cushion or a proper nursing pillow across your lap lifts baby to breast height so you are not hunching down.
2. The cross-cradle hold
Same idea as the cradle, but you swap arms. If you are feeding from the right breast, you support the baby with your left arm, cupping the base of their head and neck with your left hand. Your right hand is free to shape the breast and guide it in.
Because you control the head, this is often the easiest position for a breastfeeding newborn still learning to latch, and the UNICEF parenting guide recommends it for exactly that reason. It is our top pick for the first two to three weeks and for premature or small babies who need extra help.
3. The rugby (football) hold
Here your baby is tucked along your side, under your arm, like you are carrying a rugby ball. Their body runs along your forearm, feet pointing behind you, and your hand supports the head at the breast.
This one is a lifesaver for specific situations:
- After a caesarean section, because baby stays off your tummy and away from the incision. C-section rates in Kenyan hospitals, especially in Nairobi, are significant, so this matters to many mums.
- If you have larger breasts and want a clearer view of the latch.
- For twins, since you can feed both babies at once, one under each arm.
You will want good support under your arm. A nursing pillow or a rolled-up leso works well.
4. The side-lying position
You and your baby lie on your sides, facing each other, tummy to tummy, with baby’s nose level with your nipple. Your lower arm cradles their back or tucks under your own head.
This is the night-feed and recovery position. It lets you rest while feeding, which every exhausted new mum in Kenya deserves. A safety note: only feed lying down when you are alert, and always move your baby back to their own firm, flat sleep surface, on their back, once the feed is done. Never fall asleep with baby on a sofa or armchair.
5. The laid-back position (biological nurturing)
Lean back on a comfortable, well-supported recliner or a bank of pillows, somewhere between sitting and lying. Rest your baby tummy-down on your chest and let them find the breast, with gravity holding them snug against you.
It looks almost too simple, but research on biological nurturing shows it can reduce sore nipples and engorgement and help babies self-attach using their natural reflexes. It is a beautiful position for the first skin-to-skin feeds in the hours after birth, and for fussy babies who fight a more structured hold.
Which breastfeeding position should I use when?
Use this quick comparison to match the position to your moment.
| Position | Best for | Newborn head support | Good after C-section? | Where it shines |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cradle hold | Established feeding, older babies | Lower | Not ideal | Everyday daytime feeds |
| Cross-cradle | Newborns learning to latch | High | Fair | The first few weeks |
| Rugby (football) hold | C-section mums, twins, larger breasts | High | Excellent | Clear view and control |
| Side-lying | Night feeds, recovery, rest | Medium | Good | Feeding while lying down |
| Laid-back | First feeds, fussy babies, sore nipples | High (body-supported) | Good | Skin-to-skin and self-latch |
A simple rhythm many mums settle into: cross-cradle or laid-back in the early weeks, rugby hold if you had surgery, then cradle by day and side-lying at night once you are confident.
Practical tips to make feeding more comfortable
A few simple breastfeeding tips make positioning easier, especially when you are breastfeeding a newborn who is still finding their rhythm.
Bring baby to the breast, not the breast to baby. Leaning down to your baby is what wrecks your back and shoulders. Lift them up to nipple height instead, which is where a firm nursing pillow earns its place.
Support your own body. A cushion behind your lower back, a stool or a stack of books under your feet, and a glass of water within reach. Feeds can be long, so settle in like you mean it.
Keep it dark and calm at night. A dim light and a comfy nursing bra with an easy-open clip make 3am feeds far less of a struggle. Look for soft, breathable cotton, which suits Kenya’s warm nights.
Learn to hand express and store. If you are heading back to work, a good breast pump lets you build a small stash so your baby keeps getting breast milk while you are away. Kenyan labour law protects your right to breastfeeding breaks, so plan for them.
Switch sides and switch positions. Alternating positions across the day spreads the pressure around the breast and helps prevent blocked ducts.
When should a new mum in Kenya see a doctor?
Breastfeeding is natural, but it is not always easy, and some things need real medical help. Please do not wait it out alone. Contact a doctor, nurse, or your nearest health facility if you notice:
- A part of your breast that is red, hot, hard and painful, especially with a fever of 38°C or higher or flu-like chills. This can be mastitis and often needs treatment. Keeping a reliable baby thermometer at home makes it easy to check a temperature the moment something feels off.
- Cracked or bleeding nipples that are not improving despite fixing the latch.
- Your baby is not producing enough wet nappies (fewer than six a day after the first week), seems very sleepy, or is not gaining weight.
- Any sign of dehydration in your baby, such as a sunken soft spot or very dark urine.
The Kenya Ministry of Health supports breastfeeding mums through public facilities and community health promoters, and many counties have baby-friendly hospital services. Milk banking and lactation support are also expanding. If feeding is not working, a lactation consultant or a trained nurse can often fix in one session what feels impossible at home. Asking for help is a strong, loving thing to do, not a failure.
A gentle final word
Every mum and every baby is a slightly different fit. What works for your sister or your neighbour may not be your position, and that is completely fine. Give each hold a few honest tries, watch for that deep, comfortable latch, and be patient with yourself while you both learn.
You are already doing one of the most nourishing things you can for your child. Get the position right, protect your own comfort, and lean on the people and tools around you. TotoComfy is here for the practical bits, from nursing pillows to pumps, so you can focus on the part that matters most: your baby, close and fed.
Frequently asked questions
What is the easiest breastfeeding position for a newborn?
For most brand-new babies, the cross-cradle hold is the easiest to start with because you support the head and neck with your opposite hand and can guide the latch precisely. The laid-back position is also excellent in the first days, as it lets your baby use their natural reflexes to find the breast.
How do I know my baby is latched correctly?
A good latch shows a wide-open mouth, both lips flanged outward, the chin pressed into the breast, and more areola visible above the top lip than below. You should hear rhythmic swallowing and feel a firm tug rather than pain. If it hurts beyond the first few seconds, gently unlatch and try again.
Can I breastfeed lying down safely?
Yes, the side-lying position is safe for feeding as long as you stay awake and alert. Once the feed is finished, always move your baby back onto their own firm, flat surface and lay them on their back to sleep. Never feed lying down on a sofa or armchair where you might doze off.
How long should I breastfeed my baby?
The World Health Organization and UNICEF recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, then continuing to breastfeed alongside complementary foods up to two years of age or beyond. In Kenya, about 60% of babies are now exclusively breastfed for the first six months.
When should breastfeeding pain make me see a doctor?
See a doctor if you have a red, hot, hard, painful area of the breast together with a fever of 38°C or higher or flu-like symptoms, as this may be mastitis. Also seek help for cracked or bleeding nipples that will not heal, or if your baby is not gaining weight or having enough wet nappies.