How were you fed as a child?

Do you want to feed your child the way you were fed?

How do you feel about your own eating?

Do you want your child to eat the way you do?

Step by step, starting with breast – or formula-feeding, then solid foods, then soft and easy-to-eat grownup food from family meals, you teach your child to be a good eater.

Your child will learn to eat the food you eat.

To feed your child, do your own
jobs and let him do his jobs.

  • You decide what, when, and where your child gets to eat.
  • Your child decides how much and whether he eats – of what you make.

Your jobs:

  • Have a schedule for meals and snacks.
  • Refuse begging for food or drink handouts (except water) between times.
  • Choose food you enjoy to buy, cook, and put on the table.
  • Enjoy your own meal. Pay attention to your own eating.
  • Keep meals pleasant. Talk and listen. Don’t fight or scold. Turn off the TV.
  • Let him use his fingers, fork, or spoon. Let him get messy.

Your child’s jobs:

  • Learn to eat at family meal and snack times.
  • Come to the table hungry and ready to eat.
  • Pick and choose from what you have put on the table. Not make a fuss.
  • Decide how much and if he will eat. Enjoy his meal.
  • Behave nicely at the table. Be good company.
  • Not make a mess to bug you.

Don’t get your jobs mixed up
with your child’s jobs.

  • If you don’t do your jobs, your child will eat poorly and not behave at meals.
  • If you get bossy and try to do his jobs, he will get upset and not eat.

© 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