- 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.