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Basic position – the baby should be lying with baby’s tummy against yours and the whole body facing you. It is vital that the baby is not turning baby’s head to feed but is rather in a straight line.

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Crossover hold – Hold baby’s head in your left hand, with fingers on one ear and thumb on the other. Gently compress right breast with right hand to help baby latch, and guide baby towards right breast. To feed on left breast, hold head in right hand and compress left breast with left hand.

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Clutch hold – Position baby with facing right breast but with legs under your right breast. Put pillow under baby to bring baby up to the level of your breast. Now continue as for crossover hold, holding baby’s head in right hand and compressing breast with left hand. This is a very helpful position if you are wishing to keep pressure off a painful stomach, in order to feed twins, if your baby is very tiny or if you have large breasts.

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Cradle hold – nestle baby’s head in crook of your arm and support the body with you arm and hand. Make sure that baby’s lower arm is not squashed between you and the baby, but is rather tucked below. It is important to keep baby parallel and if you let the body drop down it may cause discomfort on your nipple.

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Side-lying position – Lie facing your baby in bead with tummies touching. Ensure that baby is in line with your nipple and then compress your breast with the upper most hand. Make sure that baby’s body does not roll away during feeding as this will cause discomfort for baby and pressure on your nipple.