DD is 16 weeks and the past 2 days she has been unlatching and relatching continuously while nursing. She doesn't seem frustrated, and she goes right back on the boob but does it every several seconds. Nursing sessions are lasting shorter as well. Do you think it could be that she isn't that hungry yet? I feed her every 3 hours and was planning to switch to a 4 hour schedule soon anyway. I've also been supplementing with formula more the past 2 days so maybe that's affecting her hunger level too. What do you think this sounds like?
-
It's common for babies to pop off and back on as a way to help stimulate let-down. Any chance that's it?
-
Is she popping off and looking around? Could she be distracted? I remember hearing at a certain age (I think 4 months but can't remember exactly) they become more aware of surroundings and are easier distracted while eating. The recommendation I read was to feed in a darkened/dim quiet room.
(This was also true for bottle feeding. Sometimes I would have to take him to his room otherwise he wasn't drinking any of the bottle. Too much fun stuff to see! -
@SweetiePie: not really looking around when she does it. DH said she also did it during a bottle today though.
@PawPrints: possibly! I just wonder if I'm giving her too much formula now and she isn't as hungry and nursing less efficiently bc of it.
-
Mine both got distracted at that age.
-
@buttermilk: Read this! Might be a better explanation of what I was trying to say. It says distracted eating peaks around 4-5 months. (Kellymom is an excellent resource for BF in general
)
http://kellymom.com/ages/older-infant/distractible-baby/ -
@SweetiePie: thanks! That sounds about right. She stopped nursing to look up and smile at me earlier!
I am worried about it hurting my supply, so thanks for these tips! I'll try to nurse in a dark room. She never does it at night!
-
It was around that age that my LOs started getting distracted and I had to start nursing them upstairs in a dark room if I wanted them to settle down. We had to stop tandem nursing (they're twins) because they were too busy trying to smile, talk to, and touch each other to eat!
That said, my LOs still do this whenever they are congested. Any chance she's getting a cold or stuffy nose? I find that my kids can't stay latched for long when they are stuffed up. Using the nose Frida before nursing helps a lot!
-
@twodoghouse: oh good tip I have noticed some nasal congestion! That's too cute about your twins
-
My LO was doing this as well, I just happened to have an appointment with our local Lactation consultant and she told me to gently hold the baby in place to keep him from popping off all the time. this would only apply if you think it's just distraction which was the case for my little one.
)Reply
Subscribe to our newsletter
- Google Plus
- Stumbleupon
- Twitter
- Facebook
- Pinterest
- Favorite0
9 comments