What I have observed in the hospital setting is that with the cradle hold
moms tend to want to use there forearm to draw the baby's head into the breast.
This then results in the baby approaching the breast very flexed.
Breastfeeding in bed in a sitting position also makes this more difficult because the bed
can really only get the mother up to a 65 degree angle, where in a chair she
would be 90 degree.  The whole look and feel of positioning the baby does make
a difference.
If a mother cannot resist using her forearm instead of just her hand to guide
the baby to the breast, then I have her try the cross cradle hold.  I make
sure that she is holding the baby at the base of the head and neck (not the
head) and guide the shoulders toward the breast.  After the baby is latched and
suckling then I have the mom take her hand that is holding the breast and slide
it under the other arm so she now has the baby in the cradle hold.
To help parents understand the approach the baby needs to do when coming to
the breast I explain how we all raise our chin as we go to eat and drink.  I
demonstrate that placing our chins on our chest is not how we eat and drink.
Next when demonstrating the need to guide the baby with their shoulders and not
the head I compare it to sitting in a chair or car where the head rest pushes
our heads forward and how uncomfortable we feel.  I reassure them that the
baby's head is supported when the neck and shoulders are supported.
Hope that helps.  I keep learning from what I observe.
Ann Perry, RN IBCLC
Boston, MA


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