This has been a very interesting and informative discussion. I
personally consider the side-lying position to be a survival skill,
because if mom doesn't conquer it sooner or later, she is either
committing to getting up in the middle of the night for months and
months, or else will be tempted to do sleep training once she tires of
getting up. Side-lying makes breastfeeding convenient at night.

That said, it took me weeks with my first child before I figured it out.
I had my own way of doing it, but in teaching moms over the years, I
find that babies and bodies fit uniquely and differently and there is no
one way that works for everyone. Further, there are some moms and babes
who just don't seem to fit together any good way, at least in the early
days. You've seen these moms-- they can do maybe one hold (ie cradle),
and every other one they try it's like you're trying to force a
right-handed person to throw a ball left-handed: awkward. The most
difficult part aspect is when mom needs to have meticulous "control" to
optimize a latch and avoid pain. Most versions of side-lying don't allow
for the degree of "control" in guiding baby to breast at a good angle,
especially when there is a need to sandwich breast AND help baby
approach at an angle (ie asymmetric latch).

I put "control" in quotes because I don't advocate taking control away
from the baby per se, but am referring to those situations where mother
is chewed up/in pain and needs to help baby in specific ways to achieve
a good latch.

So what ways are there to do this?

My own personal successful version was to lay on my side and then place
my pillow *on my shoulder* as it went under my head; this gave me more
neck support. Once together, I reclined into more of a 45 degree angle,
preferably with a supportive pillow or cushion back. I really liked
nursing on the sofa, facing outward and my back against the cushion
back. Since then I have learned to place a rolled towel or blanket
behind baby to keep them tucked in to avoid the soreness that results
when baby and I would fall asleep and baby would slide down on the
nipple and I was too drowsy to notice and fix it.

Some moms will have their lower arm coming out from underneath a pillow.

Some moms will prop themselves up on one arm/elbow as they can see
better and get better "leverage."

Some moms need to bring baby up to breast level with stacked towels or
blankets, while others have breasts that lay comfortably on the bed at
baby level.

Some moms cradle the baby, while others nurse "hands free."

What other things work for you and your moms?

~Lisa Marasco

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