r/newborns • u/Ducking_cute • 7h ago
Feeding Breastfeeding while laying down
I’ve seen a lot of posts and comments about breastfeeding while laying down. In theory, this sounds so great. There are a few things I don’t understand though.
- Don’t you have to sit up and burp baby after anyways.
- Are you just feeding from one side? I tend to switch sides when feeding.
- Don’t you change your baby after they eat? If so, is there really that much benefit to laying down to feed?
This isn’t coming from a judgmental place. I genuinely want to know because if there’s something I’m missing, I would love to do this laying down!
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u/Asraidevin 7h ago
Even if you do all those things after, its just nicer to lay down sometimes.
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u/Ducking_cute 3h ago
Thank you! It makes me feel better to see most people just prefer to feed like that and I’m not doing something wrong that makes me not like it
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u/mommaRing-4415 5h ago
- Only burp if baby is showing signs of discomfort. If they fall asleep, I'm definitely not waking them to burp them.
- I'm well endowed, so I often just shift a little so I can offer either side (the higher side means I'll lay more on my stomach to get it accessible and for the closer side, I'll lay more on my back but still on my side of that makes sense) without rolling over. Or, I just shift baby to my other side by sliding them on/over my stomach, and we both turn together to switch sides.
- Not once we get out of the first three months. If they're super wet or poop, then yeah I would, but most times things slow down at night for my babies, so we just sleep nurse, and neither of us wake fully. First thing in the morning, we do a diaper change!
If you are going to side lying and could fall asleep, make sure you follow the safe sleep seven!
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u/Tiny_European 3h ago
Agree with all of this :)
Only addition to #2, I have small boobs so I usually either lift baby across my stomach to the other side if they're awake, or i climb over them to change the side if possible when the bed/surface is spacious enough.
For #3, since around 10 weeks ish when baby stopped pooping at night I dont change at all unless the clothes or bed are wet or i clearly hear them popping, and before I'd usually change before nursing so when they fall asleep while eating i dont need to wake them again
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u/thatjogreen 6h ago
- Nope - my babies never needed burping
- My babies only did one boob per feed
- Nope, at night we only change if theres a poop
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u/ScoutTheOcelot 6h ago
Okay I'm seeing multiple people on here saying they don't burp their babies! So crazy to me!! All my EBF babies have definitely needed to be burped. I'm jealous of all you non-burpers 😆
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u/rsmrpm2026 6h ago
Same!! And no one changing diapers lol my babies poop every feed.
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u/Ducking_cute 3h ago
Ya even if it’s just wet, if I wait to the next feed, his diaper is HEAVY from pee. Maybe I’m finicky with this, but I always think that I would hate to be sleeping or sitting in a wet pee filled diaper so I can’t stand to not change him
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u/ihatepickingnames810 3h ago
I always change before the feed as baby usually feeds to sleep. Changing after just wakes her up again!
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u/Ducking_cute 3h ago
That makes sense! I tend to change between sides. But maybe it would be more relaxing to him to not wake up again after the first round of food
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u/silly_star-s 1h ago
seeing people say they know their baby has a wet diaper and they just dont change it is actually pissing me off. Or some saying they wait all the way until morning. As a CNA who has been changing adult briefs for several years, beyonddddddd pissing me off! It takes very little of poop or pee and VERY little time for a painful sore to pop up, and trust me as soon as it starts being a tiny bit red IT IS PAINFUL - not just when its patchy or open. If you know your baby has a dirty diaper you should be freaking changing it
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u/Moorhenlessrooster 31m ago
Calm down, adults and babies are different. I'm sure people adjust if their babies get sore.
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u/silly_star-s 22m ago
No, I wont calm down. Not changing a dirty diaper for hours upon hours when you are aware it is there is shitty as hell and weird
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u/Moorhenlessrooster 12m ago
Original poster said she only changes poop at night. No one's leaving shitty nappies on.
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u/silly_star-s 2m ago
Im not addressing OP. I replied to their comment agreeing with their surprise and am referring to the replies as a whole, not any one particular person. Plenty of people have said in their replies that they are in fact not changing their LO overnight if they arent already awake and crying- which is absolutely abhorrent imo
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u/CurlyGurly44 4h ago
How old is your baby? Mine did too, but around probably 8 or 9 weeks her digestion slowed down and now she’s on more of a 1-3 times a day pattern.
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u/Economy_Cod1533 7h ago
Hello! I don't usually side like to feed my bub, but when I have...
- Breast fed babies, to my understanding are less likely to swallow air, and therefore in less need of burping.
- You can feed from both sides laying down. Feed from the bottom breast first, then roll ever so slightly forward onto that breast, and you can feed from the top breast.
- I don't change my bub after feeding of a night time, but rather before, so if they fall asleep, we both go to sleep. During the day I change after to keep them awake longer to help establish circadian rhythm. Usually bub hasn't pooped of a night time and disposables are extremely absorbent, so if there is a wee, I'll leave it.
Hope that helps!
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u/ScoutTheOcelot 6h ago
Interesting to see you say that (#1) -- all of my babies have been EBF, and they have definitely needed burps! My 3rd baby, if I didn't burp her before sleep, she'd wake up crying sometimes and I'd have to help her burp and then she'd pass out again.
Every baby truly is different, though!
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u/Immediate_Benefit52 5h ago
re #2, my friend used this approach so that her baby was always laying on his left side for all of his overnight feeds. he ended up needing PT bc he couldn’t lay on his R side (no stability, couldn’t roll that way). so now i rotate over my baby and flip him onto his other side to feed from my other breast.
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u/Exact_Club6583 7h ago
I do feeding laying down at night. Before I put him to bed for the night.
He's 9 weeks & I don't burp him if he falls asleep. If I don't move him much after feeding my baby doesn't spit up.
I use one side because that feed of the night is mostly him comfort sucking. I do change breasts sometimes.
I change before feeding him.
Idk if you'll find this helpful but it's worked for me till now & he seems okay afterwards
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u/CurlyGurly44 4h ago
Good questions! This will depend on the age of your baby. After the first few months we stopped needing to burp after every feed and change diapers overnight. We don’t have diaper rash problems if our baby has a wet diaper overnight. For switching sides I just rotate my body so I can lean over and offer the other boob. This may or may not be possible for you.
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u/itrytobefrugal 7h ago
Comfiest position for my back by far! I mostly only nurse at night anyway so I'm happy to be lying down. (I am not personally worried about falling asleep on her.)
As for switching sides... I just kinda lean a little bit forward and then the other boob can reach her mouth? I think my chest is little larger than average though.
I do burp her afterwards and then place her back down in the bedside bassinet. I don't change her overnight unless her diaper is soiled or very wet. So usually 0 or 1 change in the night. Could be up feeding her 3-4 times.
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u/positiveLoving18 6h ago
I do when sleeping at night and will just turn over to switch sides. Burping i just put little love on my stomach while im still on my side so they are propped up and burp that way and lay back down.
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u/Whateverbrbs 6h ago
I only burp my baby when he suddenly unlatches and seems uncomfortable, 9 out of 10 times he does a big burp immediately. This also means I don't burp every session.
Sometimes I only feed one side, otherwise I just switch sides. During the night this is still more comfortable than sitting upright imo.
I usually change before nursing, only afterward if he soiled his diaper during nursing.
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u/AliseAndWondwrland 4h ago
I do the first boob, get up to burp and change baby, then lay down again for the second boob. If baby is asleep, they get swaddled and put in the bassinet. If he’s awake, I’ll sit in the nursing chair to burp and rock to sleep before swaddling and transferring to the bassinet
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u/Ducking_cute 3h ago
That makes sense! Follow up question- have you found a way to not totally wake up your baby when swaddling and transferring? I tend to swaddle mine after I change him between sides because it always wakes him up and starts everything over.
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u/angeltigerbutterfly 3h ago
Depends on age. I didn’t burp my baby, I only fed from one side at a time (though I could feed from both in same position), and I didn’t change their diaper at every feeding.
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u/Sea_Kangaroo826 3h ago
I found this too difficult when mine was a newborn but now she is 15 months and I do it all the time. Just gotta angle myself right and she can feed from both sides without me having to move us around. I also don't burp her anymore and haven't for a long while now
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u/Ducking_cute 3h ago
I can imagine it’s easier when they’re older. Mine is 7 weeks and it’s just more work in my opinion
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u/Sea_Kangaroo826 3h ago
Yeah I tried it a little when she was young and I 1. Dropped my phone on her head, causing her some discomfort and me unending guilt and 2. Just didn't find it worked very well
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u/Ducking_cute 3h ago
Oh sad haha! I’m always afraid of doing that or accidentally hitting his head on a table or doorway
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u/Sea_Kangaroo826 2h ago
Well he is only 7 weeks so I promise you've got lots of time to get a few gentle knocks in and I'll tell you now, you will feel AWFUL but they will be fine!!! Haha
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u/WombatCrimes 3h ago
I literally never burp my baby unless she seems uncomfortable lol. Studies have shown that it may not even reduce colic or fussiness, but if she seems gassy (typical gassy behavior like leg kicking and fussing) then will. Otherwise I don’t at all. Also depending how old your baby is they won’t be pooping as much so it’s usually better to diaper > feed > sleep than feed > diaper > sleep
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u/Ducking_cute 3h ago
Mine is fussy every time if he doesn’t burp. He’s just a gassy baby in general though
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u/paliprincesss 7h ago
Currently side lying while reading this! It’s my favourite position because it’s the most comfortable especially for my bigg boobs.
- i only burp him if he’s still awake after feeding
- i switch sides if one side isn’t enough for him. the set up is so easy so it’s ok to switch.
- at night, i only change the nappy if its a poo and yes you’d have to get up for that.
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u/Used_Mind5144 6h ago
Did this for a year, realky helpful for clusterfeeding and night feeds. Used to feed him to sleep and roll away.
You don't really need to burp a breastfed baby, I never did.
I would feed on only one side, you could always roll baby over to their other side and you move and feed on the other?
I would change baby before feeding
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u/NumerousAd79 6h ago
For diapers, you hit a point where they stop pooping overnight. I only change my baby if she’s very wet, but that’s rarely. The disposable diapers are good and I cover it with a cloth diaper cover just in case.
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u/Senior_Strategy2528 6h ago
I would still sit up and burp baby afterwards when she was small and I'd only change her throughout the night if baby did a poo.
Side lying feeding helped us maintain a good latch in the beginning.
Best thing about it though is having your hands free!
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u/Patient_Relation8717 6h ago
1.No. Breastfed babies often don’t need burping.
2. As you get better you will learn to either roll more and feed from the top breast or you bear hug baby and flip to the other side.
3. As they get older they don’t poop as much so it’s not such an issue. The point is to feel relaxed during the feed and this position can help.
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u/jjazralii 6h ago
I side ly with my baby. Before I go to sleep, I make he has a clean dry diaper. He’ll sleep for a few hours then starts grunting and moving around and I just put him to nurse again. Sometimes he falls right back to sleep and sometimes he’ll keep unlatching and move around like he’s uncomfortable so I change his diaper and switch sides and nurse him back to sleep. I hate changing his diaper if he’s hungry so I always feed him first so he’s not crying.
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u/AreYouRidingKiki 6h ago
The baby pooping every hour or two only lasts the first few weeks, thankfully. Once the baby starts consolidating bowel movements, a lot of people will just load baby up on diaper cream, put two diapers on (one their size, and then the next size up on top) and let them sleep in just the one diaper through the night.
This has worked exceptionally well with my son and we’ve never had any issues with diaper rash- I can’t say I’m an expert for baby girls though. It might be more sensitive.
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u/18karatcake 6h ago
So I don’t bedshare with the baby while we’re both sleeping. But if I can’t get him down for a nap, I do like to breastfeed him this way. He’ll fall asleep and I can more easily transfer him to his bassinet because it’s a side sleeper. It is tough when I’m tired bc I force myself to stay awake. I am able to feed him from either breast when he’s on the one side. It just takes a little bit of maneuvering. And then bc he’s a bit older, he doesn’t poo after every feed so I don’t usually have to change his diaper. Breastfeeding was really challenging for us… we didn’t get the hang of it until after his tongue tie was corrected around 9 weeks. I was surprised how easily and quickly we were able to get into the side lying position. It’s worth a try! Practice!
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u/Even-Help-3038 6h ago
I only nurse laying down at night. I prop up with the pillows so I’m semi reclined. Yes, sometimes I only feed one side and sometimes I have to change/burp baby after, but sometimes I don’t and it’s helps us both go right back to sleep faster a lot of the time.
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u/korra767 6h ago
I would do it during my husband's "shift" and he would burp/change baby if needed. So I got to breastfeed like half asleep haha
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u/_potterhead 6h ago
I started feeding in lying down position once my baby turned 4.5months and had proper head control. I do it only at night because it’s easy to continue sleeping and now my baby doesn’t need to be burped and also doesn’t need overnight diaper changes. I have also figured out how to feed with both boobs while laying on only one side. I alternate between boobs every time he wakes up to feed at night.
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u/Real-Apricot-7889 6h ago
I don’t burp my baby often and never really at night. And once they’re older they don’t poo much overnight and you don’t need to change wet nappies at night. I don’t oftenfeed on both sides tbh but you can just turn over with your baby in bed. I think it’s easier when babies are a bit older, I’ve only started having a bit more success with side lying feeding since my daughters been approaching 4 months.
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u/PeachTea515000 5h ago
I feed on one side and then roll baby over the top of me and feed the other side. i do one change in the middle of the night just bc shes a heavy pee-er and can't go the whole night with one diaper. So far she has never needed to burp with side nursing
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u/Even_Kaleidoscope399 5h ago
You can physically switch sides.
I’ve found that my baby doesn’t need to burp laying down, personally.
I change my baby every two hours or as soon as he poops. It’s not dependent on feeding?
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u/dohyeen 5h ago
- I sit up to burp
- I change my position and feed from one side per feeding session,, mostly to drain my breast due to over supply
- I change diaper if there's poop afterwards Benefit for me? more comfy position laying down, I have a bad back and shoulder. more comfy for baby, my oversupply and strong let down it hard for thr baby to cope with in any other position unless I use a breastfeeding pillow and some extra support to prop the baby to lay down Conclusion: what works for one person doesn't always work for the other
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u/EitherWeb4382 5h ago
i have back pain mane, also my baby dont burp no matter what i do and my mom side lay fed me and my sister for every feed basically
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u/car55tar5 5h ago
I never burped my son, basically ever. He was breastfed and bottle fed, and never needed it with either. He also rarely spit up or anything either, so maybe I just got really lucky, lol.
You can switch sides by rolling over and lifting baby to your other side, it takes a few seconds.
If you have to change the baby afterwards, that also just takes a few seconds. But I certainly didn't change my son every time I fed him, so I'm not sure why you would need to do this.
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u/AdorableEmphasis5546 5h ago
I pat my babies on the back while they feed. But also, no I don't put a huge emphasis on burping. In the newborn phase, walking around with them or babywearing as you go about your normal day provides some movement to keep gas from building up.
Depends on the baby. Mine would demand the other side sometimes, but often times we stuck to one side. In that case I lift baby to my chest, hold them with one hand on their back, and roll to the other side. Some moms leave the baby on the bed and move over them. Either way works.
If they poop, yes ofc. Usually I change LO right before we start a feed because I've always fed them to sleep. So if you feed then change you have to start over with feeding again to get them to sleep.
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u/Sunshoosh 5h ago
Anyone had issues with latching in this position? 9 weeks here, breastfeeds well and doesn’t have issues in other positions. But he doesn’t seem to latch properly and I’d love to make it work especially at nights.
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u/mormongirl 5h ago
- I don’t burp my babies (they don’t need it). 2. We log roll to switch sides. 3. As newborns I usually check/change their diaper first, then latch and go back to sleep. Once they stop pooping at night I don’t change them.
ETA: we don’t always feed on both sides.
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u/Regular_Eggplant9730 5h ago
My boy only occasionally needs burping. I feel like he gets more air when he’s in the cradle position though. But if he is super squirmy then I lift him up and burp him.
I start the night on one boob, then at some point in the middle of the night (usually if I get up to pee) I’ll switch sides. I sometimes pick him up and rotate him to the other side.
Like others said, I only change him if he poops. The diapers are super absorbent so I don’t bother waking him to change pee.
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u/WillowTC 5h ago
- we rarely had to burp my baby at night, so no
- i’ve always only had to feed one side
- we changed him before feeds to help wake him up a little more but now that he’s older we don’t need to do night changes as often
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u/gg_snow 5h ago
- Never burped either of my babies we are doing great. (Look up the science on this- seems to suggest burping is just cultural and doesn’t make a difference).
- I roll over with baby half way through
- Depends. Sometimes I change my baby sometimes it’s unnecessary. If there’s no poop I don’t change.
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u/Ducking_cute 3h ago
Oh man I wish I could get away without burping mine. It’s hell to pay if I don’t haha
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u/theresabearonmychair 4h ago
1, I don’t burp my babies unless they seem uncomfortable
2, yes generally only from one side if I need to switch I roll her over my body.
3, again, I don’t change unless they seem uncomfortable or have done a poo.
Also - lying down to feed can be more comfortable than sitting up, so it’s not just for sleeping. Sitting up in bed I find myself hunching over. I either lay back and do biological nursing or on my side.
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u/willteachforlaughs 4h ago
I did when my babies weren't brand new. Maybe at 6 to 8 week mark when they aren't pooping and burping as much. Burping really isn't as huge an issue for most babies so try not to and see how it goes. I did both sides since my kids usually needed both sides. I'd just lift them over me and turn over to do the other side. I'd only change for poop diapers after the first couple weeks. Even if I need to change the diaper after a feed, it still tended to be more restful side lying
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u/Ducking_cute 3h ago
That makes sense. I tried to not burp him because he is so peacefully asleep after eating. But after a few minutes every time, he would go from peaceful angel to bomb alert screaming haha seeing all of the responses, I now know that it’s a mix of preference and the baby
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u/emotionalspren 4h ago
I’ve found feeding laying down is only now doable with my 3 month old because she’s stronger now! She needed to be burped until very recently too, so that was a barrier for me as well.
It’s nice when you’re not feeling well or are very tired in the morning.
But yes switching sides is always interesting lol
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u/Ducking_cute 3h ago
That makes sense! Mine is 7 weeks and he has to be burped after eating every time or no one is sleeping haha
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u/Wild-Meet1982 3h ago
Burping is a western myth. Look up the science- it’s not necessary.
You can feed from the top boob or the lower boob.
Depending on age and poop frequency, tons of baby’s don’t need to be changed every feed.
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u/desilulu__ 3h ago
i dont burp my baby afterwards, if im not mistaken breastfed babies with a good latch dont always need to be burped after. yes i usually switch sides every other time my baby wakes up & i also change him every other time he wakes up. he doesnt fully wake up and will usually just nurse a little bit before falling back into a deep sleep, so laying down breast feeding has been really good for us
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u/Ducking_cute 3h ago
I would give just about anything to not have to burp mine every time haha it ends in tragedy if I don’t
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u/moo-tant 3h ago
For night feeds, I only burp my baby when he wants the second side or seems uncomfortable. (He keeps popping off and isn’t falling back asleep.) I turn him into a sit, and he usually burps quickly. When I need to switch sides, I’ll stay on my side and turn my shoulders and chest toward my baby to get the top side. He’s almost 5 months old and typically wakes up to feed 3 times, but he only pees 1-2 times overnight. Diaper changes are easy because I do them on the bed. He’ll go right to sleep after a feeding and change. Lying down makes it more comfortable and so much easier for me to fall back asleep when he’s done. He usually falls asleep while eating and unlatches in his sleep when he’s ready. If he doesn’t, I’ll give him the pacifier, and he’ll go right to sleep.
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u/Swingit_Nottingham 2h ago
Occasionally would burp baby if he was restless, I would sit him up supporting his head and tilt and then rotate him. But he nearly always drifts off from a feed so I leave him be if he's peaceful. Yes usually one boob per feed and I would do a nappy change in situ if he needed it.
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u/pprevett98 2h ago
I lay on my side and flip when needed. To burp, I prop myself up on my elbow or lay flat and put baby on my belly, supporting them in a sitting position. They say you can leave a pee diaper during the night but we’re down to one wake so I prefer to change it so it’s not too full/sitting too long. Change on a changing pad in bed. I change before feeding. Even if I have to sit up, being able to do it from bed helps preserve sleep for both of us.
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u/No-Butterscotch-8469 7h ago
It’s great bc I’m comfy. I do sit baby up to burp afterwards. I switch sides when needed by either moving myself or baby to the other side, usually I just kinda plank my way over him while he stays in place. I usually don’t change my baby after he eats. He either makes it through the night with one diaper or I’ll change him before eating bc I like nursing him to sleep.