Clutch or "Football" Hold

Use the clutch hold to breastfeed your baby.

Illustration of clutch or football hold.

Good if:

You had a C-section.
You are breastfeeding twins.
You have large breasts.
Your nipples are flat or inverted.
Your milk let-down is strong.
Your baby likes to feed upright. This position may help babies with reflux.
This is how you and your baby are comfortable breastfeeding.

How to:

For the right breast, hold your baby level, facing up, at your right side. Put your baby's head near your right nipple and support baby's back and legs under your right arm. Hold the base of your baby's head gently with your right palm. A pillow underneath your right arm can help support your baby's weight. To protect your back, avoid leaning down to your baby. Bring baby to you instead.

Reverse for the left side.

Browse WIC Breastfeeding Topics

Breastfeeding Benefits

Breastfeeding Benefits

Breastfeeding gives babies a healthy start—and is good for moms, too.

Breastfeeding basics

Breastfeeding Basics

Learn how milk is made, when to nurse, how long babies nurse, and more.

Talk to Your Family about Breastfeeding

Talk to Your Family about Breastfeeding

Talk about why you choose to breastfeed, and ask for your family’s support.

Low Milk Supply

Low Milk Supply

Many moms worry about low milk supply, even though most make exactly what baby needs.

Steps and signs of a good latch

Steps and Signs of a Good Latch

These tips help you get a good latch—and know if you have one.

When Breastfeeding Isn't Working

When Breastfeeding Isn't Working

Remember, help is available and there are solutions

Talking to Your Employer About Pumping at Work

Talk to Your Employer About Pumping at Work

Get tips for talking with your employer about pumping at work

Know your rights to breastfeed in public and at work

Your Breastfeeding Rights

Know your rights to breastfeed in public and at work.

Using Bottles with a Breastfed Baby

Using Bottles with a Breastfed Baby

Planning to be apart from baby? Find tips for feeding baby with expressed milk.

Pumping and Hand Expression Basics

Pumping and Hand Expression Basics

New to milk expression? Here’s what you need to know before you get started.

Finding a Breast Pump

Finding a Breast Pump

Here are options for finding a breast pump at low cost.

Making Milk Expression Work for You

Making Milk Expression Work for You

Get tips and see how pumping can help solve your breastfeeding challenges.

See More in Breastfeeding 101 >
See More in Common Questions and Challenges >
See More in Going Back to Work >
See More in Expressing and Pumping Milk >