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How is feeding going?

What do you like about feeding?

What don’t you like? Is there anything you would like to be different?

What and how are you feeding your baby?

Pay attention to your baby and guide feeding by paying attention to what she wants. She will eat best and feel best about eating and about you.

What does it look like when she is hungry? What about when she is full? How does she act when she needs to sleep? How can you tell when she is ready to get up? Is she ready to eat right away when she gets up, or does she need to wait a while? Help her stay calm and awake during feeding time.

You can control feeding with a bottle, but don’t. It will hurt your baby’s feelings and make her eat less well, not better. Don’t worry about spoiling her – you can’t spoil a tiny baby.

Here is what to do—and not do—when you feed your baby:

  • Feed her when she wants to eat, when she’s wide-awake and calm. Don’t feed her on a set schedule or when you think of it. Don’t feed when she is drowsy or upset.
  • Ask her to open her mouth by touching her cheek or lips or showing her the nipple. Don’t pry open her mouth. Don’t plop in the nipple when she yawns, laughs, or cries.
  • Keep her head, back, and shoulders in a straight line. Keep the bottle nipple filled. Don’t let her body twist or droop. Don’t let her suck an empty nipple. Don’t prop the bottle.
  • Sit still during feeding. Keep the feeding smooth and steady. Don’t jiggle her or jiggle the nipple. Don’t stop feeding to wipe, burp, or play.
  • Let her eat her way — much or little, fast or slowly, steady or start-and-stop. Don’t make her eat a certain amount. Don’t make her hurry up or slow down.
  • Talk to her or touch her in a way that she likes and that helps her to stay awake. Don’t talk loudly or in an unpleasant voice. Don’t jiggle or tickle.
  • Talk or play a while after the feeding. Put her to bed when she’s calm and drowsy. Don’t feed her to sleep. Don’t wait until she is upset and fussy to put her down.

© Ellyn Satter

Side-Lying-Hold

Side-Lying Hold

  1. For the right breast, lie on your right side with your baby facing you.
  2. Pull your baby close. Your baby’s mouth should be level with your nipple.
  3. In this position, you can cradle your baby’s back with your left arm and support yourself with your right arm and/or pillows.
  4. Keep loose clothing and bedding away from your baby.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • You had a C-section
  • You want to rest while baby feeds
  • You are breastfeeding in the middle of the night
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
cross-cradle-hold-1

Cross-Cradle Hold

  1. For the right breast, use your left arm to hold your baby’s head at your right breast and baby’s body toward your left side. A pillow across your lap can help support your left arm.
  2. Gently place your left hand behind your baby’s ears and neck, with your thumb and index finger behind each ear and your palm between baby’s shoulder blades. Turn your baby’s body toward yours so your tummies are touching.
  3. Hold your breast as if you are squeezing a sandwich. To protect your back, avoid leaning down to your baby. Instead, bring your baby to you.
  4. As your baby’s mouth opens, push gently with your left palm on baby’s head to help them latch on. Make sure you keep your fingers out of the way.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • Your baby is premature
  • Your baby has a weak suck
  • Your baby needs help to stay latched
  • Your baby needs extra head support
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
Football-hold

Clutch or “Football” Hold

  1. For the right breast, hold your baby level, facing up, at your right side.
  2. Put your baby’s head near your right nipple and support their back and legs under your right arm.
  3. Hold the base of your baby’s head with your right palm. A pillow underneath your right arm can help support your baby’s weight.
  4. To protect your back, avoid leaning down to your baby. Bring baby to you instead.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • You had a C-section
  • You have large breasts
  • You have flat or inverted nipples
  • You have a strong milk let-down
  • You are breastfeeding twins
  • Your baby likes to feed in an upright position
  • Your baby has reflux
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
CRADLE-HOLD​

Cradle Hold

  1. For the right breast, cradle your baby with your right arm. Your baby will be on their left side across your lap, facing you at nipple level.
  2. Your baby’s head will rest on your right forearm with your baby’s back along your inner arm and palm.
  3. Turn your baby’s tummy toward your tummy. Your left hand is free to support your breast, if needed. Pillows can help support your arm and elbow.
  4. To protect your back, avoid leaning down to your baby. Instead, bring your baby to you.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • Your baby needs help latching on
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
laid-back

Laid-Back Hold

  1. Lean back on a pillow with your baby’s tummy touching yours and their head at breast level. Some moms find that sitting up nearly straight works well. Others prefer to lean back and lie almost flat.
  2. You can place your baby’s cheek near your breast, or you may want to use one hand to hold your breast near your baby. It’s up to you and what you think feels best.
  3. Your baby will naturally find your nipple, latch, and begin to suckle.

This hold is useful when:

  • Your baby is placed on your chest right after birth
  • You have a strong milk let-down
  • You have large breasts
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position