Here we go again with my seconds son's nursing issues. Just when I thought we were in the flow of things, here we are with another issue. This guy get sooooooo easily distracted. I remember having this issue with my first, but I don't remember it being to this extent. At least with my first I could go in a dark, quiet room and we could get through a nursing session. Not that I even have the luxury of doing that with a 2 yr old running around, but the few occasions I have been able too, he was to distracted with how quiet it was, and that we were in a different room. When he was finally over that novelty, he was popping on and off just looking at me to make sure I'm still there or something.
I don't know my poor nipples can't handle this much more. He's yanking things ever which way to get a look, and when he's not yanking, he's on again off again just looking at me with the cutest smile. Granted at first I thought that part was cute and often smiled back, but I'm clearly over that now. I've tried a nursing necklace to no success. He fiddles with it and then gets mad because he wants that in his mouth along with me, and when he's not mad with that, he's pounding and swatting at it because its messing with his flow when rubbing me!! Even when I find he seems to settle down enough and not distracted with his surroundings. He still pops on and off to take a peek at me. The only exception to this behavior is before bedtime. I think by that time its just because he's too tired to care about anything.
I'm looking for any suggestions on how to help with the distraction issue...BTW he hates to be covered at this point, and plus he sweats like crazy and I end up having to leave his head out which most of the time defeats the purpose. Maybe a timeline of when it calms down..I can't remember for the life of me when it stopped with my first. And should I be concerned that he doesn't get a chance to eat as much. I find right now the only thing I can do is stop and then I try again later. Sometimes it works sometimes it doesn't so it seems like he's just not eating as much. Thanks in advance
I had that problem with my son and discovered that if he wasn't hungry enough it would be worse. I think you should wait until he is hungry enough to really want it. Don't be scared about not feeding him often enough. If he is hungry he will eat. Also the first time he pops off that is it for at least a few minutes set him down and walk away. He will soon realize that mommy will not give him attention or the boob when he is acting like that.
My daughter went through this around a similar age. It passed, but some thing that seemed to help at the time were to wait until she really was asking to be fed and seemed pretty hungry (this meant longer stretches than she'd gone before, but certainly not to the point where she was uncomfortable. I also really started watching my my behavior and the environment around nursing. I let myself be focused and let the environment be pretty calm. I bet there's some way to set this up with your other little one (at least some of the time and especially if feedings are further apart) Also, babies can be a lot more efficient when nursing as the weeks and months go on, so he might be getting all he needs more swiftly. Good luck and enjoy!
have you tried pumping and using a bottle to feed him.maybe if he has control of the bottle and not your poor breast that he might eat better.i know my daughter was like this i had to quite breastfeeding all together now because she is so nosie.so the doctor said try a bottle and let her be in control of when she can take it in and out.with him bein able to hold the bottle it moves better with his head then your breast will. this is the only way my little nosie girl will eat..hope this helps
I don't have any advice, but I'm going through it right now with my 5 mth old daughter. I sat here laughing while reading your post because it is exactly what we are going through - except we don't have another child also distracting. It seems that as soon as I get her feeding well my husband walks in the room. Him just walking in is so distracting.
One thing I have noticed is that I am letting down a lot faster than I used to. It seems my daughter is getting just as much milk just in a shorter period of time. I pump daily so I knew exactly when I should be finished.
Good luck! I hope it doesn't last much longer for either of us :)
My baby is only four months old now, but we've been having the same problem, and I remember having it with my first as well. I've discovered that she eats a lot better when she's really hungry, and when she tells ME that she's ready to eat, rather than when I think she should be eating. If I try to feed her too early, she'll just play and bite and pull off. Thank goodness she has no teeth yet! I don't remember when it stopped with my son, but I remember that it didn't last too long. I know it got better once he was on a 5-6 hour feeding schedule + solids! Good luck! It's super frustrating!
I am in the same boat with my six month old son. Luckily his 2.5 year old sister will sit through a 1/2 hour cartoon even if I'm in the other room nursing him. Sometimes this will help, sometimes it does not. He is constantly swatting, batting at me and pinching me - all on accident, I'm sure!! He will pull back and I feel like he's going to tear my nips off.
Sorry no advice, just wanted to let you know there are others out there going through the same thing!
