Nursing Lying Down

FAQ 9: Can I nurse while lying down? Could it cause ear infections? Could I land up suffocating my baby?

Often, mothers are told not to nurse in the lying down position by well-meaning but ill-informed family members and/ or medical professionals.

Breastfeeding in the lying down position doesn't ‘cause’ ear infections.
Breastfeeding in the lying down position won't cause you to roll over your baby or suffocate them, as long as you are following safe co-sleeping principles

Lying down and nursing is the best way for mothers to get rest while their baby nurses. A mother that nurses lying down is more likely to nurse long term because it is less exhausting.

Keep in mind that even when the mother is sitting up to feed, the baby is in the same position as when side lying and nursing.

Some links that should help you make a decision on whether it is safe to nurse lying down or not and how to go about it:

Ear Infections:
https://kellymom.com/parenting/parenting-faq/ear-infection-nursing/

Co-sleeping guidelines:
https://www.llli.org/the-safe-sleep-seven/

Tutorial:
http://www.mother-2-mother.com/tut-layingdown.htm
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=aHxJX5Tfw1s

Important tips:

Bring the baby close to you (Don't inch towards the baby as this may cause you to get into an uncomfortable position which may cause aches and pains)
One doesn't even need to change the baby's position when offering the other breast, just bend over a tiny bit - https://kellymom.com/ages/newborn/bf-basics/lactation-yoga/
Some mothers bend one knee/ both knees and rest one hand underneath the pillow to make themselves comfortable.

"We now know that many breastfeeding mothers choose to bed-share precisely because they get more sleep, manage their milk supply better, and attach more intensely with their babies."
http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/7119782

DISCLAIMER: THE FAQ ARTICLES ARE INTENDED AS A SOURCE OF BASIC INFORMATION AND AN EXTENSION OF SUPPORT FROM BREASTFEEDING PARENTS TO BREASTFEEDING PARENTS. IT DOES NOT CLAIM TO REPLACE ANY MEDICAL ADVICE.
* MEDICAL DISCLAIMER: THE ADVICE SUGGESTED BY THE LACTATION CONSULTANTS/STANPAN SAATHIS/WEBINAR HOSTS ARE THEIR OWN. TO ACCEPT AND TO ACT ON THOSE IS AT THE SOLE DISCRETION OF THE INDIVIDUAL WHO IS SEEKING SUPPORT. IN NO WAY SHOULD THE ADVICE GIVEN REPLACE A MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS OR ADVICE FROM A QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL. IF THAT HAPPENS, IT'S AT THE SOLE DISCRETION OF THE INDIVIDUAL WHO CHOOSES TO DO THAT. BSIM WILL NOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE OR LIABLE FOR ANY CONSEQUENCES.

WE UNDERSTAND AND ACKNOWLEDGE THAT PARENTS AND BABIES CAN BE OF VARIOUS GENDERS ON A SPECTRUM OF THE LGBTIQA+. FAMILIES COME IN DIVERSE FLAVOURS. HOWEVER, IN OUR ARTICLES, FOR THE SAKE OF SIMPLICITY AND CONVENIENCE, WE WILL BE REFERRING TO THE BREASTFEEDING PARENT AS THE MOTHER AND USING THE FEMALE PRONOUNS- 'SHE' AND 'HER' FOR BABIES. BABIES CAN BE NOURISHED AND NURTURED IN DIFFERENT WAYS AND WHILE WE HAVE USED THE TERMS BREASTFEEDING AND NURSING, WE RECOGNIZE THAT PARENTS CAN OPT TO CHEST FEED OR FINGER FEED.

We don't have conflicts of interests and declare and we are compliant with the WHO Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes and the IMS Act.