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If you or your child don’t drink milk

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  • Ellyn Satter
  • Prenatal / Postpartum
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • If you or your child don’t drink milk
Mom-son-eating

Your child will drink milk if you do.

Do you drink milk? Why? Why not?

Do you want your child to drink milk? Why? Why not?

In the US, drinking milk is the best way to get enough calcium and vitamin D for strong bones. Children depend on milk for calcium, vitamin D, and protein. Children who don’t drink milk are shorter, have smaller bones, and break their bones more often.

Girl-Milk
milk-pouch

To keep from getting stomachaches or diarrhea when you drink milk:

  • Try drinking a small glass with meals.
  • Try drinking 2% or whole milk instead of skim milk.
  • Try substituting soy milk. Ask your nutritionist if your soy milk has as much protein, calcium, and vitamin D as milk.

You can’t make your child drink milk. But you can encourage him. Here’s how:

  • Drink milk yourself. If you drink milk, your child will think, “that is what grownups drink.” Even if he doesn’t drink milk today, he will some day.
  • If you can’t drink milk at mealtime, drink water. If you drink soda or Kool-aid, your child will think, “that is what grownups drink.” Even if you don’t let him have soda or Kool-aid today, some day he will drink it instead of milk.
  • Have the kind of milk the family enjoys: whole, 2%, or skim. If you use skim milk, offer another good fat source such as butter or margarine, salad dressing, white sauce, or cheese sauce.
  • Don’t get pushy. Put a small glass of milk at your child’s place, and let him drink it or not. Only remind him once to drink his milk. Only remind him if you can take no for an answer.

While you wait for yourself and your child to drink milk, serve other food that gives calcium. That might be cheese, yogurt, or orange juice with calcium.

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    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
    Wooden carved fork resting on the edge

    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
    Woman with shopping bag

    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
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    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