- Sit comfortably. A pillow or footstool may help.
- Cradle your baby with your arm, his/her tummy against yours, and your hand at the base of the head and neck. Keep your baby’s ear, shoulders and hip in a straight line.
- Tuck your baby’s lower arm out of the way, with his/her mouth close to your breast. (You will use opposite hands from the cradle hold).
- Support your breast with your free hand; place all of your fingers underneath it, well away from the areola.
- Rest your thumb lightly on top of your breast above your areola.
- Lift your breast upward and lightly stroke your nipple on your baby’s lower lip. As part of the rooting reflex, his/her mouth will open wide. This may take a few minutes to happen.
- Pull your baby quickly onto your breast to latch-on when his/her mouth is opened wide, like a big yawn, and the tongue is down. Do not lean over your baby. Instead pull your baby up to your breast.
The Cross Cradle Hold is good when:
- Nursing a newborn infant.
- Learning how to position an infant correctly.