Positioning, attachment and suckling describe different parts of a breastfeed. Positioning is how the baby is held in relation to the caregiver and breast. Attachment, sometimes called latch, describes how the baby’s mouth takes the breast. Effective suckling describes what can be seen or heard while the baby feeds. UNICEF presents observable signs for each, while also noting that breastfeeding can take time and practice.
What does UNICEF mean by good positioning?
UNICEF describes good positioning as keeping the baby’s head and body in line, holding the baby close to the caregiver’s body and supporting the baby’s body. The baby approaches the breast with the nose near the nipple. These points are intended to help the baby reach the breast without having to keep the head or body twisted.
Caregiver comfort is also part of preparing for a feed. UNICEF suggests sitting somewhere supportive and using pillows when useful. A position can look different from one family to another; the practical question is whether the baby is supported and able to feed comfortably.
What signs does UNICEF describe for attachment?
UNICEF lists several signs associated with a good latch or attachment:
- the baby’s mouth is wide open;
- the lower lip is turned outward;
- the chin touches, or nearly touches, the breast;
- more of the areola is visible above the baby’s mouth than below; and
- feeding feels comfortable rather than painful.
These signs are meant to be considered together. The appearance of one feature by itself does not establish how much milk an individual baby is receiving.
What does effective suckling look like?
UNICEF describes slow, deep suckles with pauses among the signs of effective suckling. Swallowing may be visible or audible after one or two suckles. The baby may finish the feed, release the breast and appear content and relaxed, while the breast may feel softer after the feed.
These are observations from a feed, not measurements of intake, growth or hydration. A webpage cannot assess milk transfer or determine the reason for pain, unsettled feeding or a growth concern.
Which breastfeeding positions does UNICEF describe?
UNICEF presents several positions rather than one position that every family must use:
- Cradle hold: the baby lies across the caregiver’s lap with the head in the crook of the arm and the chest facing the caregiver.
- Cross-cradle hold: the arm opposite the breast supports the baby, with the head held in the caregiver’s hand. UNICEF describes this as useful while learning and for small babies.
- Football or rugby hold: the baby is supported along the forearm with the legs extending under the caregiver’s arm. UNICEF notes that this may be useful after a caesarean birth or when placing the baby across the abdomen is uncomfortable.
- Side-lying position: caregiver and baby lie on their sides facing one another, with the baby’s head level with the breast and the nose unobstructed.
- Reclining position: the caregiver leans back with support while the baby lies supported on the caregiver’s body; UNICEF says the caregiver should not be completely flat.
Trying a different position may change comfort and support, but the same positioning, attachment and suckling signs remain useful to observe.
How do the five positions differ in practical terms?
The positions on UNICEF’s page vary mainly in how the caregiver’s body is supported and where the baby’s body rests. In the cradle hold, the baby lies across the lap with the head in the crook of the arm. The cross-cradle hold reverses the supporting arm so that the caregiver’s hand supports the baby’s head; UNICEF presents this as an option when learning and for small babies.
In the football or rugby hold, the baby’s body rests along the caregiver’s forearm and the legs extend under the arm. UNICEF notes that this may be useful after a caesarean birth when placing the baby across the abdomen is uncomfortable. In side-lying, caregiver and baby face one another on their sides, while the reclining position supports the baby on the caregiver’s reclined body. UNICEF specifically says that the caregiver should be supported and should not lie completely flat in the reclining position.
The names of the positions are less important than the observable features UNICEF lists: the baby is close, the head and body remain aligned, the body is supported and the baby can approach the breast nose to nipple. A position may therefore be adjusted while those features continue to resource observation.
What does UNICEF say about skin-to-skin contact?
UNICEF includes skin-to-skin contact alongside its breastfeeding information. It says this contact can calm and relax both caregiver and baby, help regulate the baby’s temperature, heart rate and breathing, stimulate digestion and interest in feeding, and help provide protection against infection.
These are general benefits described by UNICEF. They do not show whether a particular feed transferred enough milk, and they do not replace assessment when there is pain or concern about feeding, hydration, growth or the baby’s health.
A simple observation checklist
- Is the baby’s head and body in line?
- Is the baby held close and supported?
- Does the baby approach nose to nipple?
- Is the mouth wide open, with the chin at the breast and lower lip turned outward?
- Are there slow, deep suckles with pauses and signs of swallowing?
- Is feeding comfortable?
When can breastfeeding support be useful?
UNICEF advises speaking with a midwife, lactation specialist or other health-care provider when there are questions or concerns about breastfeeding. Individual assessment is especially important when feeding remains painful or there are concerns about swallowing, milk intake, hydration, weight gain or the baby’s health. This page cannot determine the cause or urgency of an individual problem.
Related ChildSpecialist.in information
For WHO information on the wider feeding period, see feeding in the first two years. For feeding interactions after complementary foods begin, see responsive feeding.
References
- UNICEF. Common breastfeeding positions. Source reviewed 1 October 2026.