---
title: "Football Hold | Sutter Health"
url: "https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/football-hold"
---

# Football Hold

* * *

September 26, 2024

-   Position your baby so his/her legs and body are under your arm, with your hand at the base of the head and neck (as if you were holding a football).
-   Place your fingers below your breast. Allow your baby to latch-on while pulling him/her in close, holding your baby’s head with his/her nose and chin touching your breast.
-   Keep your baby’s body flexed at the hip with the legs tucked under your arm.

**The Football Hold is a good position when:**

-   You have had a cesarean birth and want to avoid placing your baby against your abdominal incision.
-   You need to see better when getting your baby to latch-on.
-   Your breasts are large.
-   You are nursing a small baby, especially if premature.
-   Your baby tends to slide down your areola onto your nipple.
-   Your baby is fussy, restless and having a hard time latching-on.
-   Your baby is sleepy. Sitting upright may encourage your baby to remain alert for a longer time.
-   You have inverted nipples.

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