Side-Lying Breastfeeding: How to Do It Safely

Feeding lying down can feel like a small miracle at 3 a.m. You get to rest your back, your arms and maybe your eyes while your baby feeds. Side-lying is also one of the most comfortable positions after a C-section or when your milk flows fast.

It’s worth learning well, and pairing it with a clear plan for safe sleep, because a position this relaxing makes it easy to doze off.

Who side-lying breastfeeding helps

Side-lying can be useful if you:

• Feed at night and want to rest while your baby nurses
• Had a C-section. HealthyChildren.org notes that nursing lying down can help after a cesarean or when you feel tired or unwell, and La Leche League says many mothers find it the most comfortable position in the first day or so after a cesarean
• Have a strong let-down or oversupply. Cleveland Clinic explains that side-lying can slow the flow of milk
• Find sitting uncomfortable, for example while healing after birth
• Want a break from the arm and shoulder strain of cradle holds

It may be harder in the very first days if your baby is still learning to latch. Many parents start with an upright or laid-back position and add side-lying once latching feels easier. Our guide to how to breastfeed covers the basics of a deep latch and the other main positions.

How to breastfeed lying on your side, step by step

Based on guidance from HealthyChildren.org and La Leche League International:

1. Set up your bed first. Move extra pillows, comforters and blankets away from where your baby will lie. Cleveland Clinic’s midwife adds that you should be awake and alert before you try side-lying.
2. Lie on your side. Put a pillow under your head and one behind your back. A pillow between your knees can make you more comfortable. Keep your back and hips in a fairly straight line.
3. Lay your baby on their side facing you. Your baby’s tummy should be against yours, with their ear, shoulder and hip in a line. Their head shouldn’t be turned.
4. Line your baby up with your lower breast. Your baby’s nose or mouth should be level with your nipple, so they tilt their head back slightly to latch.
5. Bring your baby in close. Tuck their feet in close to your body. Use your upper hand on your baby’s upper back or bottom to bring them in, without pushing on the back of their head.
6. Help with the latch if needed. Your upper hand can shape your breast as your baby opens wide. Once they’re latched, you can rest that arm.

If your lower arm feels in the way, tuck it under your pillow or curl it above your baby’s head.

How to switch sides

You have two options:

• Roll over together. Hold your baby against your chest and roll onto your other side, then reposition.
• Offer the upper breast. HealthyChildren.org suggests placing a pillow under your baby to raise them until they’re level with your upper breast. You lean forward slightly so your baby can latch. This works better for some body shapes than others.

Common problems and fixes

Problem	Try this
Baby slips off the nipple	Bring your baby closer, hips and all; their whole body should face you
Sore nipples	Check that your baby’s mouth is wide and their chin is pressed into your breast. See our guide to sore nipples
Your back or neck aches	Add a pillow behind your back and make sure your head pillow keeps your neck straight
Baby gulps and coughs	Side-lying often slows the flow; let your baby come off and pause, then latch again
Baby falls asleep after a few minutes	Normal for some feeds. See baby falls asleep while breastfeeding for when it matters

Safe sleep: what the AAP says about feeding in bed

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that babies sleep on their back, on a separate firm, flat surface such as a crib or bassinet, in your room for at least the first 6 months. The AAP advises against bed-sharing, including with twins.

The AAP also recognizes that parents feed in bed and sometimes fall asleep. Its guidance, as explained on HealthyChildren.org:

• Return your baby to their own sleep space before you go to sleep.
• Prepare the bed in case you doze off. If there’s any chance you might fall asleep with your baby in bed, remove pillows, blankets and other soft items from around your baby.
• If you do fall asleep, move your baby back to their own sleep space as soon as you wake up.
• Avoid falling asleep with your baby on a sofa or armchair, too. The risk of sleep-related infant death is up to 67 times higher when babies sleep with someone on a couch, soft armchair or cushion.

Falling asleep with your baby in bed is more dangerous when:

• Your baby is under 4 months old or was born early
• You or your partner smoke or vape, or you smoked or vaped during pregnancy
• You’ve had alcohol, cannabis or other drugs, or taken medicines that make you drowsy, or you are very tired
• Your baby is in bed with someone other than a parent, including other children
• Your bed is soft, like a waterbed or an old mattress

A bassinet or crib next to your bed makes it easier to move your baby after a feed. If you’re using a pillow to prop yourself up, keep it on your side of the bed; never put your baby to sleep on a nursing pillow or other soft surface.

When to call a doctor or lactation consultant

Contact a lactation consultant (IBCLC) or your baby’s doctor if:

• Feeds are painful in every position, or your nipples are cracked or bleeding
• Your baby can’t stay latched or seems frustrated at the breast
• Your baby has fewer wet or dirty diapers than expected, or isn’t gaining weight
• You’re so exhausted that you’re worried about falling asleep while feeding; ask for help planning safer nights

A lactation consultant can watch you in side-lying and fine-tune your position. For more on getting started, see the breastfeeding basics hub, and if you’re recovering from surgery, read breastfeeding after a C-section.