It had never occured to me, until recently, to try side-lying position for
new mom.  I had the experience earlier this year of attending 2 deliveries
of ladies who were recent Mexican immigrants.  They happened also to be
cousins, and frequently came to prenatal appointments together, along with
the sister-in-law of one of them who served as interpretor.  Immediately
after delivery with the first mom, I suggested it would be good to try and
nurse the baby.  I started to sit the bed up and reached for an extra
pillow.  This mom looked at me like I was from outer space and promptly
lowered the bed flat, flipped on her side, and had the baby on in a few
seconds.  (This was her 4th baby.)  A few weeks later, when her cousin
delivered, she also latched her baby on the first time side lying, although
not quite as quickly (it was a 2nd baby.)  The interpretor helped both of
these moms with positioning a little.  They all 3 told me that this position
was common where they grew up.  Seeing how natural it looked for them
prompted me to try it occasionally with other moms, and it does seem to work
well, especially for a more experienced mom.  Sometimes first time moms,
especialy with bigger breasts can't see what they are doing well in this
position.

I personally don't like traditional side-lying position very well.  I have
smaller breasts and find that my babies tended to push themselves off the
breast too easily in this position.  Instead, at night I nurse either
propped on 2 pillows on my back, or side lying with the baby held sort of in
cradle hold and latched to the top breast.  This side lying postion works
great for me.  Baby is sort of sitting up in this position.  I've never seen
or heard of anyone else using this position, so don't know if it is a "real"
position or just one of those contortions an experienced nursing mom learns
to use to get on with in real life!

Jennifer Tieman, MD
Family Physician
Mom to 4, including nursling Caroline Rose born 5/31/03

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