bac_Preg-Eating

What have you heard about eating for pregnancy?

What have you heard about gaining weight?

Do other people tell you to eat certain foods?

Do others tell you to avoid certain foods?

flower

Taking care of your family, starts with you. Your baby, your pregnancy and your delivery will all be better if you feed yourself well. You don’t have to eat in special ways when you are pregnant, but you do have to eat! You don’t have to gain a lot of weight when you are pregnant, but you do have to gain weight! Have regular meals, eat food you enjoy, eat as much as you are hungry for, and trust your body to gain the amount of weight that is right for you. Growing a healthy baby and keeping yourself healthy are both very important jobs.

Here is what to do—and not to do—to take good care of yourself with your eating:

Have meals with food you enjoy. Learn to cook easy and tasty meals.

  • Don’t forget to eat. Only cook foods that are fancy or take a lot of time if it’s fun for you.

Plan ahead. Know you will get the next meal—and the next!

  • Don’t wait to get hungry then grab food. Don’t scare yourself by not having food around.

Eat both good and good-for-you food. Sneak up on new food and learn to like it!

  • Don’t eat just anything to get filled up. Don’t be so worried about nutrition that you eat food you don’t like.

Eat until you feel satisfied. Stop. Do it again the next meal—and the next!

  • Don’t eat less than you want. Don’t eat more than you want.

Let your body gain as much weight as it needs to.

  • Don’t diet. Don’t try to limit your weight gain. Don’t try to force your weight gain.

Drink milk. Learn to like milk if you can.

  • Don’t drink sodas, tea or juice instead of milk. Don’t drink alcoholic beverages at all during pregnancy.

© Ellyn Satter

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