Distractible breastfeeder

[sorpresa_bea]

Distractible breastfeeders: baby boy is almost 4 months old and has become extremely distractible at the breast. His usual feeding times have gone out of the window and whenever I try to nurse him he stays on for hardly a minute or two, pulls off, looks around, doesn't want to nurse anymore, etc. I've managed to coax him into feeding when he's sleepy and just up from naps, in a darkened and quiet room. He nurses fine at night. Looking for similar experiences and possible strategies to get them to feed. Just ordered some nursing beads. Is it just a temporary phase?

 

[LaceyKeo]

I have zero experience, so forgive me if I'm pointing out the blatantly obvious, long-since tried idea, but...

Drape a muslin over like a feeding cover so he can't look around? Xx

 

[littlemonkey]

My LO was similar on the bottle. To be honest, I just had to make it pretty boring when he was feeling, so stopped watching telly when I was feeding him etc. If I was out I would try to find somewhere quiet for him, away from lots of people, noise etc. The muslin or scarf draped over them is a good idea for breastfeeding.

 

[Lotty73]

Florence is 4 months old too and I am having the same problem. She is fine when she is sleepy but very distracted when she is more awake. I seem to recall my others went through a stage like this at a similar age so hoping its just a passing phase! I wondered about a feeding necklace too as since she is so grabby with her hands at the moment my poor boobs are getting scratched and prodded! x

 

[beckyboo1]

It's just another developmental stage in afraid... Don't worry it'll pass xx

 

[CARNAT22]

Bee is the same. To be honest I haven't worried too much as when she is actually hungry she feeds.

I have put it down to a) not needing to be fed as often as she is now feeding much more efficiently and b) she is much more aware of surroundings and there is a lot more distraction.

Bee is gaining weight - albeit she has fallen a centile - but I have no concerns. Only downside is of course that my boob is no longer a 'cure all' for her.

Amen about the prodding and scratching. Its like trying to feed a flapping bird of prey sometimes.

X

 

[sorpresa_bea]

I found that swaddling before the feed helps with the thrashing and flailing.
Rio will feed when he's sleepy, as he wakes up from feeds. But then he is sleepy, which means the feed is not the most efficient, and it takes a loooooong time.

Secondly, it's hard to know when he's hungry these days. He used to be pretty spot on every 3 hours, but now I cannot see hungry signals so clearly anymore..... :-/