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Help Your Child Develop Healthy Habits

November 8, 2023 Children

Setting an Example

All parents want their children to grow up strong and develop healthy habits. Learning how to make healthy choices begins from the moment your baby is born – they look to you to learn! One of the best ways to help your child develop healthy habits is to practice them yourself! This means getting enough sleep, limiting screen time, being physically active, and eating your fruits and veggies.

Having your child at the table while eating together as a family is a simple step that can benefit them in a big way. Eating together has been shown to:

  • Improve eating habits
  • Increase the number of words that children know
  • Decrease the risk of becoming overweight
  • Help kids do better in school
  • Encourage kids to stay away from drugs

Being a “Just Right” Parent

There are many different parenting “styles” or ways to act as a parent. While some parents are very strict and never budge on family rules, others are very easy going, having few (if any) rules for their children. Authoritative or “just right” parenting, is a parenting style that’s in between these more extreme styles. This type of parent sets rules and guidelines but is willing to be flexible about the rules when needed. They use discipline that focuses on helping their children learn to follow the rules, more than punishing them for not doing so.

Research shows that parenting styles make a difference to a child’s happiness, self-esteem, and weight.
In particular, parents who practice “just right” parenting have children who have a healthier weight, eat a more nutritious diet and are more active. When it comes to feeding, these parents:

  • Offer regular, healthy meals and snacks.
  • Offer food, but don’t force or bribe with a treat to finish it.
  • Let their child be “in charge” of how much to eat.
  • Don’t get upset when their child doesn’t like a new food and instead offer it many more times to get them used to the flavor and texture.

The healthy habits you have, show your child how to develop healthy habits of their own. They look to you to learn how to be healthy. Remember, you will always be your child’s first and most important teacher!

Side-Lying

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

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
Football

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

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

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