You can nurse on BOTH SIDES lying down, without needing to roll over yourself and move baby! Here’s how:

You’ll need 3 pillows and a rolled up receiving blanket. (Oh, and a baby).

Place one pillow under your head, one pillow between your legs, one pillow (preferably a body pillow) behind your back.

Have your baby on his side, facing you, and use the rolled up receiving blanket behind him to keep him from rolling toward his back once he is latched on and sleepy – you could get sore if he slides down the nipple but keeps nursing.

Nurse on the bottom breast by rolling yourself slightly back onto the pillow behind you. Tuck your baby’s bum either nearer or further away from your tummy to get his head in the right position. (Think of your baby’s body like a “stick” in this position. If you want his head closer to you, move his bum slightly away. If you need his head a little further from you, bring his bum in closer to your tummy).  Nurse! You can use your “top” arm to position your baby and/or your breast. For women with very large/soft breasts, a rolled or folded washcloth under the breast can offer support and bring the breast to a good level for the baby to nurse. Your “bottom” arm is often most comfortable tucked up by your head, (though some people like to have it cradled around the baby). The arm kind of gets in the way.

Now, to nurse on the TOP breast. Shift your hips way back, and roll forward away from the back pillow. You’ll appreciate the pillow between your legs now. Adjust/flex your hips so you are supported rolled forward toward your baby comfortably. Roll your baby slightly more onto his back, using the rolled receiving blanket to keep him at the best angle, halfway between his side and his back. Nurse! Your bottom arm might be most comfortable under your head. Your top arm usually drapes around the baby.

Practice side-lying nursing during the daytime when you’re awake and can see what you’re doing, then you’ll get good at it and can nurse this way at night when the lights are low.

Note: If you’ve just had a c-section, place a folded or rolled towel against your incision area so baby’s feet don’t “kick” a sensitive area.

Note: The American Academy of Pediatrics advises that “Infants may be brought into the bed for feeding or comforting but should be returned to their own crib or bassinet when the parent is ready to return to sleep.”