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Grown-up snacks for children

  • Home
  • Ellyn Satter
  • Older Baby / Almost Toddler
  • Older Baby / Almost Toddler (9-12 Months)
  • Grown-up snacks for children
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Child and woman enjoying snacks and milk together.

How do you feel about giving your child snacks?

What foods do you think make good snacks?

Stacked fig bars on white background.

What to offer for snacks:

Think of snacks as little meals. To make snacks nutritious and filling, include protein, starch, and fat.

Here are some examples:

  • Bread or crackers with cheese or cheese spread and milk or fruit juice.
  • Cereal and whole milk.
  • Cookies and whole milk.
  • Oreos or animal crackers are fine.
  • Oatmeal cookies, Fig Newtons, or graham crackers give more nutrition.
  • Fruit or vegetable juice with crackers and cheese toast.
  • Fresh or canned fruit, like bananas, melon, or peaches, with whole milk, cheese, or yogurt.
  • Milk mixed with fresh bananas, strawberries, or other fruit to make a shake.

When and how to offer snacks:

  • Feed your child about every 2 to 3 hours.
  • Give sit-down snacks. Don’t let your child eat on the run.
  • Time snacks to be between meals and at bedtime.
  • Keep snacks away from meals or she won’t be hungry for meals.
  • Let your child have her regular snack even if she didn’t eat much at the meal.

What to avoid:

  • Canned, bottled, or powdered fruit drinks. They are less nutritious than fruit juice.
  • Skim milk. It doesn’t have any fat, and your child will be hungry again soon.
  • Food that is hard to chew and swallow, like nuts, raw vegetables, or popcorn.
  • Having only fruit, juice, or vegetables for snacks. Those foods aren’t filling, and your child will be hungry again soon.
Woman and child enjoy cookies with milk together.

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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
Yellow circle with abstract, jagged shapes and patterns.

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
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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
Peach circle with abstract shapes radiating outward.

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
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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

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