How to set yourself up to breastfeed Comfortably at Home

Co written with Cuddle co and Tors Pearcy (IBCLC)

In the early days of breastfeeding, much of your time is spent feeding, , and spending time skin-to-skin and feeding responsively. While you don’t need a special room to breastfeed just a space that helps you feel calm and supported, having a few comforts within easy reach, wherever you happen to be can make all the difference.

How to make Breastfeeding Comfortable at Home

In the early days of feeding, comfort, especially, matters and not just for your baby. Breastfeeding is a learned skill for both you and your baby it gets easier with time, support, and practice, so finding ways to feel supported, both physically and emotionally at home can make a real difference.

The good news? You don’t need a perfect setup or a dedicated feeding space. Most parents feed wherever they happen to be on the sofa, in bed, or even standing up! At night, feeding in bed, safely, is often the easiest and most comfortable way to feed.

It's not about creating a picture-perfect space. It's about having what you need to feel relaxed, whether that's a supportive seat, a good pillow for your back, or just knowing your water bottle and phone charger are nearby. Add in soft lighting (especially helpful for those early morning feeds) and you've got yourself a space that supports both you and your baby.

Keep Essentials Within Reach

Having everything you need close by can help you when feeding, no matter the time of day. So mamma’s one helpful tip is to organise a small table, portable caddy, or basket next to your favourite nursing chair or feeding spot so that you have all your breastfeeding and pumping essentials within easy reach. This simple setup helps you stay relaxed and focused on your baby without having to get up frequently to grab things.

Consider including some Pippeta essentials to keep close by:

Hands-free breast pump

Adding in a morning pump session, after you’ve fed, whilst catching up on emails, having your breakfast, or simply enjoying a quiet moment, can be a great way to get a couple of feeds stored in the freezer.

Milk storage bottles and bags

To easily collect and safely store your expressed breast milk.

Manual Milk Collector

Manual milk collectors can be handy for occasional use and can be a great way to collect some milk for a milk bath.

Silver Nip Cups

Perfect for those early days, to help with any soreness whilst you seek out support to resolve pain. (Just don’t use 24/7, nipples don’t like being bathed in milk!)

Water bottle and snacks

Making milk is hungry and thirsty work, so staying hydrated and having some snacks nearby is key when breastfeeding. Don't forget to put on your Mamma Power Patch to recover, boost and recharge yourself.

Muslin cloths, wipes and spare nappies

Rather than getting up to change baby, have everything nearby!

Phone, tablet stand & earphones

Perfect for entertainment, learning, or checking in with support groups during longer feeds or pumping sessions. Just try not to go wild with those late-night shopping scrolls!

Choosing the Right Chair: Style Meets Support

With all that being said, many parents find that a nursing chair becomes one of the most-used pieces in their front room, nursery or bedroom. So if you decide you want to invest, it’s worth choosing one that combines style and function. You don’t have to sacrifice style for comfort many chairs now support both, so say hello to the Etta Nursing Chair from CuddleCo It features soft boucle padded fabric, wide armrests, and a gentle rocking motion that can help settle your baby during feeds. With its modern look and thoughtful design, it blends seamlessly into your room and supports you through every stage of your feeding journey.

Supportive Breastfeeding Positions

Breastfeeding is something you and your baby learn together, and it’s completely normal for it to take time to feel comfortable.

There’s no one “right” position, there are several ways to breastfeed, and it’s worth trying different ones to see what feels best for both of you. Here are some common breastfeeding positions to try:

Laid-back breastfeeding

Also known as biological nurturing, this position allows your baby to use their natural reflexes to feed.

If you’ve had a caesarean section, this position can be especially helpful, as your baby can rest across your body without putting pressure on your incision.

Here’s how to get started:

Lean back slightly with pillows supporting your back, shoulders, and head.Place your baby tummy-down on your chest their body naturally moulds to yours.

Let them rest cheek near the breast. When they show signs of readiness, gently guide them so their chin touches the breast first, with their head tilted back, looking up in a “sniffing” position.

Make sure their body is aligned and supported no twisting or dangling legs.

Cradle hold

A common position that works well for mammas with larger breasts, or feeding an older baby.

Here’s how to get started:

Sit upright and support your baby across your lap, facing you, chest to chest.

Use pillows to support your arms and keep you comfortable not to lift the baby up.

Bring the baby to your breast, making sure baby is ‘angled the way your nipple naturally lies’

Make sure the chin contacts the breast first, head tipped back so they’re looking up toward the nipple to “sniff.”

Keep their ear, shoulder, and hip aligned.

Cross-cradle Hold

The cross-cradle hold is one of the most commonly used breastfeeding positions and offers greater control for helping your baby attach deeply. It’s a ‘parent led’ position.

However, if you’ve had a caesarean birth, this position may put pressure on your incision, as your baby rests across your tummy.

To try the cradle hold:

Sit comfortably in a chair with armrests or on a bed, using cushions or pillows for extra support.

Position your baby across your lap, facing your body.

Support your baby with the arm opposite the breast you’re feeding from.

Use your hand to support the back of their neck and shoulders, without holding their head.

Position baby close, chin to breast first, with their head tipped back slightly so they’re looking up as if to sniff the nipple.

When they gape, bring them quickly into the breast, leading with the chin so they take a big scoopful of breast tissue as they latch. The nipple should be pointed to the roof of their mouth.

Rugby hold

The rugby hold is a great option if you’ve had a caesarean birth, as again it keeps your baby away from your tummy and incision area. It’s also a popular choice for parents of twins or more than one child, allowing you to feed both babies at the same time.

To try the rugby hold:

Sit comfortably in a supportive chair with a cushion or nursing pillow along your side.

Position your baby under your arm on the same side you’ll be feeding from, with their body tucked alongside you and their hips close to yours.

Use your hand to support the back of their neck and shoulders, without holding their head.

Position baby close, chin to breast first, with their head tipped back slightly so they’re looking up as if to sniff the nipple.

When they gape, bring them quickly into the breast, leading with the chin so they take a big scoopful of breast tissue as they latch. The nipple should be pointed to the roof of their mouth.

Side-lying

The side-lying position is also worth a mention as it is a comfortable alternative, especially useful for night feeds, when you’re resting, or recovering from birth. It lets you breastfeed your baby while lying down, which can help you both relax.

To try the side-lying position:

Lie on your side in bed, with pillows supporting your head and back.

Place your baby facing you, lying on their side with their tummy against yours.

Move your baby down so they are looking up to the breast.

Bring your baby to your breast, with the chin in contact with the breast and them ‘sniffing’ the nipple.

When they gape, gently bring them into the breast, chin first, with pressure on their shoulder blades.

Final Thoughts

Whether you're breastfeeding, pumping or a combination of both, creating a comfortable space that works for you and your baby can make a world of difference. It doesn't need to be perfect of full of expensive items, it just needs to feel comfortable, calming and practical. With the right setup and a few well-chosen essentials within reach, you can sit back and relax whilst feeding your baby. So take the time to make your space your own, after all you deserve it Mamma! Breastfeeding isn't just about feeding it's a relationship that deserves support and respect.