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?

Your baby will eat solid foods best when he feels he has a say in the matter. It gives him a say when you wait to start solids until he can sit up. Then he can open his mouth and lean forward when he wants to eat and turn away and lean back when he doesn’t. Let him touch his food and suck off his fingers, even if it makes a mess. That keeps him in control and lets him learn to feed himself.

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

  • Have him sit up straight in a high chair, maybe propped up with pillows.
  • Don’t have him leaning back or lying down. Don’t let his neck be crooked.
  • Sit right in front of him. Hold the spoon about a foot away from his mouth.
  • Don’t hold the spoon so close it feels pushy or so far away he can’t see it well.
  • Wait for him to open his mouth. Put new food on his lip. Put familiar food in his mouth.
  • Don’t pry his lips open with the spoon. Don’t surprise him with new food.
  • Feed the way he wants to eat: little or much, fast or slow.
  • Don’t make him hurry up or slow down. Don’t take away the food before he is full.
  • Look at him. Talk to him kindly and quietly. Answer him.
  • Don’t talk a lot, play, sing, or watch TV. On the other hand, don’t just sit there.
  • Stop when he shows he’s done, even after a taste on his lip or only one bite.
  • Don’t try to get him to eat more when he turns away, closes up, or fusses.

© Ellyn Satter

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. 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

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

  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 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