8 Benefits For Laid Back Breastfeeding, How To Do And Tips

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Laid-back breastfeeding, also referred to as biological nurturing, is a reclined breastfeeding position. This feeding method reportedly stimulates babies’ innate feeding reflexes, which could help them latch accurately.

Most women feel that laid-back nursing is an ideal posture while breastfeeding, and this position might help babies who might have latching difficulties. Additionally, you may attempt varied feeding positions to discover the one most comfortable for you and your baby.

Explore more about the advantages, different approaches, and tips for laid-back breastfeeding in this post.

Benefits Of Laid-back Breastfeeding

Babies can express their instinctive feeding behavior in a laid-back feeding position since their mother’s body supports them. The benefits of laid-back breastfeeding could include the following (1).

• Feeding reflexes of a baby are released during this position.

• Learn breastfeeding together; this position helps newborns and mothers become comfortable with breastfeeding gradually.

• It helps increase the production of nurturing hormones, such as oxytocin, in both mother and baby to enhance bonding.

• Babies are well-supported on the mother’s body during laid-back feeding.

• Gravity may also encourage a deeper, more comfortable latch in this position.

• Wearing no clothing can increase skin-to-skin contact during this feeding position.

Image: Shutterstock

• Mothers can keep the baby in a laid-back position beyond nursing, thus enhancing the bonding between mother and baby.

You may try and use a laid-back nursing position any time unless contraindicated by your lactation consultant or pediatrician.

Quick fact

Studies show that in the laid-back position, a mother instinctively strokes a baby’s feet just as they are about to latch to the breast. The mother’s stroke initiates the baby’s toe reflex which in turn triggers their lip and tongue-feeding reflexes (2).

Tips For Laid-back Breastfeeding

The following tips could help you breastfeed comfortably in a laid-back position and ensure a proper latch (2)(3).

• Lean back from sitting position with back support.

• Try to adjust the position until you are comfortable.

• Keep the infant close to support their body.

• Avoid keeping the baby on the incision site if you had a cesarean birth.

• Adjust the baby’s position so that there is no pressure on their neck and back.

Image: Shutterstock

• Try to wear comfortable clothing for nursing.

• Babies move their heads from side to side with a wide mouth when they are ready to latch. Positioning the baby so that the mother’s nipple touches the space between their upper lip and nose will trigger the gape reflex, which will encourage a deep and comfortable latch.

• Mothers who have oversupply may try this position.

• If needed, support the baby with one hand and breast with another hand.

You can breastfeed in this position in each breastfeeding session.

How Does A Newborn Latch During Laid-back Breastfeeding?

This position enhances a baby’s ability to use their primitive feeding reflexes. The baby tries to wriggle, push their feet, and move their head side to side to reach nipples. It ultimately leads to improved reach and better latch to the breast, providing a comfortable nursing experience for both mother and infant.

Laid-back breastfeeding is the preferred breastfeeding position for many new mothers during the first few hours after birth. This feeding position also enhances skin contact, which facilitates better mother-child bonding.

Research finds

Studies show that a laid-back breastfeeding position might help decrease lactation-related nipple pain and trauma (4).

Laid-back Breastfeeding After A Cesarean-section

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Mothers who underwent C-section delivery can consider laid-back breastfeeding. It can be convenient after a cesarean section since mothers can sit in a comfortable position with back support (1).

You can continue to feed the infant at home in a laid-back position if you find upright feeding positions uncomfortable. If you have difficulties moving and placing your baby in the initial days, you may take the help of a nurse, partner, or family member. This semi-reclined position is quite helpful after C-section since it helps the mother avoid pressure on their belly while also letting the baby latch correctly.

How To Do Laid-back Breastfeeding In Public?

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You may try the laid-back nursing position in public if you have access to a sofa or a deep chair. More comfortable variation of this position would be Koala hold, where the baby sits straddling the thighs of the mother and lays along her belly, latching onto the breast in a semi-seated position (and she usually will also recline herself as much as possible).

Many restaurants and coffee shops have seating suitable for reclined positions. However, make sure the chair or sofa is sturdy, and you are able to get into a laid-back position without straining yourself. Loose outdoor clothing or a nursing bra could make it easier for your baby to access the breast while breastfeeding.

Infographic: How To Properly Breastfeed In A Laid-Back Position?

While breastfeeding is a beautiful part of being a mother, it can also come with challenges. The infographic below offers practical advice for achieving a comfortable, laid-back breastfeeding position. While it is most useful for women with cesarean deliveries and milk oversupply, every lactating woman can use this breastfeeding position.

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Image: Dall·E/MomJunction Design Team

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Mary MillerMA, IBCLC, RLC, CLC, CPD, MCH

Mary Miller received her degrees in Interpersonal Communications and Maternal Health and Lactation and founded the Breastfeeding Support Center of WNY in Buffalo, New York. She has 20 years of experience as a lactation specialist. She’s currently a doctoral candidate and is continuing specialized study and fieldwork in the field of human lactation and oral restrictions, including but not limited...more

Dr Bisny T. JosephMedical Doctor

Dr. Bisny T. Joseph is a Georgian Board-certified physician. She has completed her professional graduate degree as a medical doctor from Tbilisi State Medical University, Georgia. She has around 5 years of experience in various sectors of medical affairs as a physician, medical reviewer, medical writer, health coach, and Q&A expert. Her interest in digital medical education and patient education...more

Rohit GarooBSc, MBA

Rohit Garoo is a writer-turned-editor with over 9 years of experience in content writing, editing, and content marketing. He did his bachelors in Science at St. Xavier's College, Hyderabad, and masters in Business Administration at Osmania University. Also, he holds a certificate in Developmental Psychology from The University of Queensland and loves to expand his knowledge through certifications in various...more

Anindita GhatakB.Tech

Anindita Ghatak holds a B.Tech degree in Biotechnology from Amity University, Kolkata. During the course of her studies, she has worked on different research projects in the fields of Microbiology and Bioinformatics. Anindita has over three years of experience writing medical articles for journals. Her interest in writing on different health-related topics and their accessibility to people have led her...more