How is feeding going?

What do you like about your child’s eating?
What don’t you like?

Is there anything you would like to be different?

Your preschooler wants to please you, so you can make him eat. However, he will eat best when you do your jobs with feeding and let him do his. You plan, prepare, and serve the meal. He eats — or doesn’t eat. Don’t ask him what he wants you to make — that’s your job. Don’t get pushy. Eating is his job.

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

Have meals. Have them about the same times every day. Give sit-down snacks at set times between meals.

Don’t wait for him to say, “I’m hungry.” Don’t let him eat on the run. Don’t let him eat or have drinks all the time, except for water.

Sit with him and eat your own food. Be good company

Don’t just feed him instead of eating with him. Don’t give him all the attention. Don’t ignore him. Don’t watch TV during meals or snacks.

Let him serve himself and eat his way; fast or slow, much or little, 1 or 2 foods.

Don’t pile food on his plate. Don’t make him taste everything. Don’t make him clean his plate.

Let him serve himself and eat his way; fast or slow, much or little, 1 or 2 foods.

Don’t pile food on his plate. Don’t make him taste everything. Don’t make him clean his plate.

Teach him to behave so you can have a nice meal. Excuse him when he is done.

Don’t put up with bad behavior or make him stay in hopes he will eat.

Teach him to behave so you can have a nice meal. Excuse him when he is done.

Don’t put up with bad behavior or make him stay in hopes he will eat.

Make food you enjoy and expect that sooner or later he will learn to eat most things.

Don’t make him taste or eat to please you.

© 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