I think one reason football (or clutch or whatever you call it) hold
can improve milk transfer is the fact that mom can better see how
baby is positioned at the breast.  With cradle, cross cradle and
side lying, she can only get a good look at one side of baby's
face.  I see many times where  baby has the "top" cheek well against
the breast while the "bottom" one is either smoshed too hard against
the breast or has a large gap between cheek and breast.  We
concentrate so much on having the nipple asymetrical in terms of
"up" and "down" in baby's mouth that moms can lose sight of the fact
that it should be centered right to left.  When a mom is having a
lot of trouble with this factor, I will encourage using football
hold more and having her concentrate on having both cheeks in nearly
equal contact with the breast.  I ask her to not how this feels and
look for a similar feeling when whe used one of the other holds.
For some moms, being centered right to left seems to come very
naturally, while for others it is a challenge while she and baby are
learning.

Winnie

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