Feeding cues - To feed effectively, a baby has to wake up and let his/her mother know that he/she wants to eat often enough in 24 hours. Watch your baby and begin breastfeeding when you see him/her demonstrating any of these feeding cues:

• licking
• rooting
• bobbing the head against the mattress or your neck/shoulder
• bringing hands to face or mouth
• squawking
• crying - Crying is a late feeding cue, and many babies have difficulty latching once they become frustrated and begin to cry.

• cradle - the baby is held in the crook/elbow area of the arm on same side as breast to be used for feeding; mother supports breast with opposite hand; baby's body is rolled in toward mother's body so they are belly-to-belly.
• cross-cradle - baby's head is supported by the hand opposite the breast to be used for feeding; mother supports breast with hand; baby is rolled in toward mother's body belly-to-belly.
• football/clutch - baby's head is supported by the hand on the same side as breast to be used for feeding; baby's body is supported on a pillow and tucked under the arm on the same side as breast to be used for feeding.
• side-lying using modified cradle - in this position, the baby lies next to the mother with mother's and baby's bodies facing each other. If a pillow under your arm is uncomfortable, try placing your baby in the crook of your arm. This way, you will not be likely to roll over on the baby should you doze off. This position also keeps the baby's head at a good angle to bring baby and breast together, with the baby's head higher than his/her tummy, which can be helpful for babies who are more likely to spit up.

When in good alignment, you should be able to draw a straight line down your baby's body from earlobe to hip no matter which feeding position you use. You should not be able to see the baby's arm closest to your body when using a cradle or cross-cradle hold.

A U-hold, in which you slide your hand so your thumb is on one side of the breast and your fingers on the other, is a variation of the C-hold often used when a baby is placed in the football (clutch) position for feeding. You may not have to continue to use a C or U hold if your breasts are smaller, but mothers with larger breasts often maintain the hold throughout the feeding.

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Do not press down near the areola with your thumb thinking this will help your baby breathe. This will pull your nipple from the back of your baby's mouth, where it needs to be. Babies' noses are designed to "smush" against their mother's breast as they feed. That is why their noses are flat - so they can latch-on deeply to the breast yet still be able to breathe. If you are concerned about your baby's ability to breathe, pull your baby's lower body in closer to you or lift your breast rather than pressing down on your breast.