baby-bottle

Do you worry about your baby?

What have you been told about feeding her?

How is feeding going?

What and how are you feeding your baby?

What happened in the hospital can make your baby touchy about eating. Tubes, suctioning, and respirators all teach babies that a new mouth feeling can hurt. After she gets home, she is still scared of a new nipple, a new formula, starting spoon-feeding, or your trying to get her to eat more than she wants. She needs time and care to learn to enjoy eating.

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It might be hard to get on her wavelength. She could have trouble waking up to eat. Then she could get so upset it is hard for her to eat well.

Your baby will eat best if you let her do her part with feeding. Don’t try to follow a schedule. Don’t try to get her to eat a certain amount. Even though she is tiny, she can show you when she is hungry and when she is full.

Here’s how to use time and care to help your tiny baby eat well:

  • While she is still in the hospital, try to see that she gets to nipple feed or suck on a pacifier. She will do better than if she doesn’t.
  • Settle on one nipple and stick with it. She is afraid the new nipple will hurt her.
  • Use the formula your health worker suggests. Don’t switch from one formula to another. A new formula is scary to her.
  • Expect her hunger and full signs to be unusual. When she is hungry she may become stiff, arch her back, or lose interest in talking and playing. When she is full she may get fussy.
  • Don’t get pushy when you feed her. Let her do her part. Touch her cheek or show her the nipple and wait for her to open up.
  • Help her stay calm and awake while she eats. Keep the feeding smooth and steady. Look at her. Talk quietly in a voice that keeps her comfortable. Don’t jiggle or tickle.
  • Stop feeding when she shows she is finished.
  • Wait to start solid food until she shows she is ready. Don’t be in a rush. Take time to enjoy nipple feeding.

© 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