Logo - The Possums baby and toddler sleep program.

the possums
sleep program

find essentialsbrowse the programabout the programspeak to dr pamaudiologin / sign up

search for articles

  • breastfeeding
  • step #2. preparing your body & mind for relaxed and comfortable breastfeeding

Notice where your breast and nipples naturally fall before bringing baby on

Dr Pamela Douglas1st of Sep 202310th of Mar 2025

x

The gestalt method of fit and hold is only one part of the Neuroprotective Developmental Care (NDC) or Possums breastfeeding programs (under development as Breastfeeding stripped bare), but an important place to start. This version of the gestalt method of fit and hold for breastfeeding women has been available since 2016. I'm hoping that Possums Breastfeeding & Lactation (PBL), the comprehensive NDC approach to breastfeeding and lactation, will be publicly available by the middle of 2025. Key elements of the NDC breastfeeding work are also found in The discontented little baby book, and in my research publications, starting here.

You can find out more about the different directions our nipples might look, and what to do about this if you have breastfeeding problems, in PBL (under development).

We hope to work out how best to bring baby to your breasts exactly where they fall when you're seated in the semi-reclined position, without needing to hold or shape your breasts in anyway. Babies often become unstable during feeds because there is a drag or weight on the breast tissue in their mouth, as gravity pulls the breast back down or off to the side. The breast always wants to fall back to its natural position in relation to gravity.

  • Breast tissue drag is a common cause of the baby having trouble coming onto the breast, or not being able to stay on the breast for long. You can find out about this in PBL (under development).

  • Nipple and breast tissue drag is also a common cause of nipple pain and damage. You can find out about nipple pain and damage starting in PBL (under development).

If we push the breast tissue towards or into the baby's mouth with our own hand, it might seem at first the baby has a big mouthful of breast tissue. But as the feed progresses, due to the way the breast weight falls, breast tissue drag begins to cause stretching pressures on the skin of your nipple or the baby to become unstable and start to fuss.

That's not to say it's wrong to shape your breast, and some women with a very generous breast find things go best if they do. It's just important to be aware of the risk of breast tissue drag if you are lifting or shaping your breast, and how to minimise this.

You can find out about fit and hold when you have a generous breast in PBL (under development).

Selected references

Douglas PS, Keogh R. Gestalt breastfeeding: helping mothers and infants optimise positional stability and intra-oral breast tissue volume for effective, pain-free milk transfer. Journal of Human Lactation. 2017;33(3):509–518.

Douglas PS, Geddes DB. Practice-based interpretation of ultrasound studies leads the way to less pharmaceutical and surgical intervention for breastfeeding babies and more effective clinical support. Midwifery. 2018;58:145–155.

Douglas PS, Perrella SL, Geddes DT. A brief gestalt intervention changes ultrasound measures of tongue movement during breastfeeding: case series. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth. 2022;22(1):94. DOI: 10.1186/s12884-12021-04363-12887.

Finished

share this article

Next up in step #2. preparing your body & mind for relaxed and comfortable breastfeeding

What does the gestalt method mean by the 'landing pad'?

x

The gestalt method of fit and hold is only one part of the Neuroprotective Developmental Care (NDC) or Possums breastfeeding programs (under development as Breastfeeding stripped bare), but an important place to start. This version of the gestalt method of fit and hold for breastfeeding women has been available since 2016. I'm hoping that Breastfeeding stripped bare, the comprehensive NDC approach to breastfeeding and lactation, will be publicly available by the end of 2024. Key elements of the NDC breastfeeding work are also found in The discontented little baby book, and in my research publications, starting here.

What is meant by the landing pad?

Can I suggest you take a look at the size of your baby's gorgeous little face? This helps you get a feel for the kind of 'landing pad' your baby needs on the breast.

Depending on your baby's age and size, you will see that baby...

more articles in step #2. preparing your body & mind for relaxed and comfortable breastfeeding

  • 6

    minute
    read

    Finding the best position for a relaxed and comfortable breastfeed
  • 3

    minute
    read

    What does the gestalt method mean by the 'landing pad'?
  • 2

    minute
    read

    Consciously relax your shoulders and take slow deep breaths as you bring baby onto your breast
  • 3

    minute
    read

    Pay close attention to nipple and breast sensations while your breastfeeding
View full article list
Possum sleep program logo

the possums
baby & toddler
sleep program

about the programfind essentialsspeak to dr pamaudiocode of ethicsterms & conditionsprivacy policyFAQs / help
Dr Pam logo

© Dr Pamela Douglas 2025

visit drpam.baby for more programs