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As seen on TV: What’s a parent to do?

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August 18, 2021 Children

Geena pushed a grocery cart down the cereal aisle with her four-year-old son, Marc, on board. It wasn’t long before he spotted his favorite cartoon character on the brightly-colored boxes. Marc pointed at the boxes and whined, “I want that, mama!” over and over again. “Not this time, honey,” Geena said. Marc started to cry full-force, but Geena rolled along, ignoring stares from the other shoppers.

Chances are that this has happened to you — at least once. Advertising that is designed to make children want certain products is very effective and it’s everywhere. It’s on TV, at the movies, in games, on food packages and much more.

Food Advertising Sways Children’s Choices

A study published in 2010 in the journal Pediatrics found that four to six-year-old children preferred the taste of snacks in packages that pictured cartoon characters.

Unfortunately, food companies use characters to promote less nutritious foods more often than they use characters to promote healthy ones. In 2011, a study of children’s programs on the most popular channels found that 73% of food ads aimed at children used a familiar character, and that 72% of these ads promoted foods of low nutritional quality.

Parents Can Provide Proper Limits

The good news is that parents have the power to override the influence of food advertising. Parents can make the right choices for their children.

  • Parents can reduce the amount of advertising children see by setting limits on screen time (screen time includes time watching TV, using computers and playing electronic games). The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends limiting screen time to no more than an hour each day for children age two and older. For children under age two, they recommend no screen time, except for video chatting.
  • Parents also have final say about which foods and beverages to purchase and offer to their children. In other words, parents don’t have to give in to a child’s demands for certain foods or beverages just because they like the kid-friendly packaging.

Once in a while, it’s OK for children to eat less nutritious foods like chips, cookies, pie and cake. In fact, parents should be sure to include these foods occasionally as a part of meals and snacks — along with a variety of other foods. This teaches children that all foods are OK, which helps them grow up to have a healthy relationship with food and eating.

Here are a few tips to help parents include less nutritious foods in moderation (adapted from Secrets of Feeding a Healthy Family, Ellyn Satter, 2008):

  • Once in a while, offer unlimited sweets at snack time. For instance, serve a plate of cookies or snack cakes and a glass of milk and let your child eat as many as he or she wants.
  • When having sweets for dessert, serve it with the meal, but allow just one serving.
  • If you drink soda, tell your child it’s a grown-up drink. When your child is older, offer a small serving of soda as a special treat.

No one can escape food advertising — it’s everywhere. But parents have the final say about which foods to offer their children. When parents provide a variety of foods — including less nutritious foods once in a while — children are more likely to be better eaters and get the nutrients they need for growth and health.

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SIDE-LYING HOLD

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

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

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 Hold

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