The Best Bottle Feeding Positions for Newborns

Honestly speaking, bottle feeding your newborn can be a learning curve. It’s one of those new parent duties that seems simple in theory but can get a little messy in those early days. (Insert acid reflux, sucking in too much air, tummy troubles, and tired arms) The good news? Many of these can be fixed with a simple bottle position adjustment.

One of the many tasks postpartum doulas help with is teaching new parents how to bottle-feed if needed. This is a critical skill during the postpartum period with your newborn because the right feeding positions can make all the difference. And having someone personally walk you through and show you how to do it is invaluable.

Today, we’re getting some insight from Kristin Revere, certified postpartum and infant care doula, the founder of Gold Coast Doulas, and co-author of the award-winning birth book Supported: Your Guide to Birth and Baby. You’ll learn some of the best bottle feeding positions for newborns and exactly how to do them. Think of this as your little cheat sheet to try out, adjust, and see what clicks.

Why Bottle Feeding Position Matters

Believe it or not, how you hold your baby during a bottle feed can fix a lot of issues you might run into. For example, a good feeding position can help your newborn avoid excessive gas, spit-up, and general fussiness after meals. On top of all that, it also encourages proper milk flow, supports a strong latch on the bottle nipple, and helps reduce the chance of swallowing air.

The reality is, studies show that about 50% of babies up to three months old will experience reflux. So if you’re running into the same issue, you’re not alone. Thankfully, using the right bottle-feeding position from the get-go can help ease that discomfort and make feedings more peaceful for everyone.

Best Bottle Feeding Positions for Newborns

Think of these three newborn bottle-feeding positions below as key pieces in your parenting toolkit. Try them out, see what works, and don’t be afraid to switch it up depending on the time of day or how your baby seems to be feeling.

1. Elevated cradle hold

This one’s a classic with a twist. You’ll cradle your baby in the curve of your arm (like many parents instinctively do), but instead of laying them flat on their back, you’ll keep them slightly upright at about a 45-degree angle.

Best for: Babies with reflux or those who love being held snug as a bug.

Top tips: Hold the bottle horizontally so your baby can control the flow of milk and pause to take breaths. A paced feeding style can help avoid overfeeding and tummy troubles.

2. Side-lying hold

Start by laying your baby on their left side, or right side, on your lap or on a small pillow. You’ll feed them while they stay in this side position, the entire feeding. This setup actually naturally spaces out the path from baby’s stomach to their esophagus, which can help reduce spit-up.

Best for: Babies with reflux or gas, and for mimicking the instinctive nursing position.

Top tips: Keep the bottle level and use a pillow for support and extra head elevation.

3. Lap-assisted recline hold

Lie down or slightly sit back on a bed or couch with your knees bent in front of you. Rest your baby’s back on your thighs, facing you. Their head will rest against your knees, and their bottom and feet should be on your belly. Essentially, you’re creating a chair-like position with your body, allowing baby to recline back while you feed them.

Best for: Bonding, observing feeding cues, and giving your arms a break.

Top tips: This setup makes it easy to see your baby’s facial expressions and feeding pace, helping you know when they need to pause—make eye contact to watch for those cues!

Bottle Feeding Tips

No, it doesn’t just stop with bottle positions either. Here are a few extra bottle-feeding pro tips that can make the entire experience smoother for both of you:

• Always keep baby’s bottle level while feeding to avoid overfeeding and choking.
• Pay attention to your baby’s cues. If they’re squirming, turning away, or not latching, it might be time to try a different position or take a break.
• Check the bottle’s nipple. Kristin says there are various sizes and flow levels available for bottle nipples. “A newborn nipple will have a very small hole, and the milk or formula will come out slowly. As your baby gets stronger, they can handle a faster flow. Check the bottle and/or nipple you are using to make sure you’re graduating to different levels as your baby grows,” she adds.
• Burp after feedings. Trust us, getting that extra air out right away helps avoid fussiness later.
• Avoid lying baby flat on their back during feedings. This can lead to milk going down the wrong pipe. (Have you ever tried drinking while lying down? It’s not fun!)
• Ensure the bottle’s vent or valve hole is facing upward to allow milk to flow smoothly.
• If you can, Kristin also suggests setting a relaxing tone for feedings. “You can play soft music or light a candle. Do something that makes the space special for you and your baby,” she says.

Bottom line? Learning to bottle feed your baby is all about trial and error. Try different positions and see which one resonates with you and your newborn the most. “At the end of the day, as long as your baby is getting fed, that is your goal. Whether from the breast or bottle, formula or breastmilk, we need to be sure our babies are healthy and thriving,” says Kristin.

If you’re still not seeing any improvement, think about chatting with a postpartum doula. These experts are trained to support you in those early weeks—not just with feeding tips, but with your recovery, sleep routines, and adjusting to life with a newborn. If you’re in West Michigan, our team at Gold Coast Doulas offers in-person doula services. But even if you’re somewhere else in the world, our virtual newborn survival classes are here to help support you, too.

Kristin Revere, MM, CED, NCS, is a certified birth and postpartum doula and the founder of Gold Coast Doulas in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She is also the co-host of Ask the Doulas Podcast and co-author of Supported: Your Guide to Birth and Baby.