https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 07 May 2026 23:54:50 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lo-pulling-at-breast-while-nursing#post-393765 Mon, 12 Nov 2012 16:52:51 +0000 prettylizy 393765@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hilsy85: I just let my body adjust. She ate every 3ish hours and within a few days things were leveled out. FWIW, I'm at home for a full year and don't have to pump very often. I assume if you're pumping with any regularity it might be an issue. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lo-pulling-at-breast-while-nursing#post-393750 Mon, 12 Nov 2012 16:49:05 +0000 hilsy85 393750@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ree723: @prettylizy: how do you prevent engorgement on the side LO doesn't eat from? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lo-pulling-at-breast-while-nursing#post-393741 Mon, 12 Nov 2012 16:46:17 +0000 prettylizy 393741@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree w PP's, he might just be full at that point. From about 6 weeks until about 7 months, I only ever fed one side per session, now she's starting to eat solids and she's back to nursing on both sides each time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lo-pulling-at-breast-while-nursing#post-393735 Mon, 12 Nov 2012 16:42:18 +0000 Ree723 393735@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've only ever done one side per feed because I was paranoid about not emptying a side and getting mastitis! Maybe try doing just one side per feed and see how that goes. It could be that the milk is coming out too quickly on the second side for the end of feed when they're generally eating slower, and maybe that's why he's pulling off. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lo-pulling-at-breast-while-nursing#post-393733 Mon, 12 Nov 2012 16:41:34 +0000 junebugmama 393733@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hilsy85: As your child get older the time they need to nurse decreases. If he is tugging and pulling off, it could be gas, or a very full tummy. </p> <p>In the beginning LO nursed for 45 minutes. Now he nurses for less than 5. It's crazy how efficient they can become. Letting your baby nurse for X amount of time is a myth. Let your baby dictate how long they need to nurse for. S/he knows when their tummy is full. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lo-pulling-at-breast-while-nursing#post-393728 Mon, 12 Nov 2012 16:40:12 +0000 lovehoneybee 393728@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hilsy85: Remember that babies can be incredibly efficient at removing milk from your breasts. Some only need 5-10 minutes (and some need longer, of course). If he's not actively interested in nursing I bet he's full. E does this when he's full but still sort of wants to suck. It's really annoying because he'll latch on, suck for a second or two, pull off and look away, and then latch back on for a second or two, and so on. </p> <p>I agree with @sorrycharlie: try burping him and offering him your breast again. If he's still playing he's probably full. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lo-pulling-at-breast-while-nursing#post-393724 Mon, 12 Nov 2012 16:38:28 +0000 hilsy85 393724@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ree723: thanks! Hmm...in that case, I have to figure out how I'm supposed to feed on both sides in one feeding! It seems like if I do each side for only like 8 minutes, neither side will really be emptied. So maybe I need to go back to only doing one side per feeding... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lo-pulling-at-breast-while-nursing#post-393721 Mon, 12 Nov 2012 16:37:28 +0000 Ree723 393721@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hilsy85: not sure about the tugging thing but yes, 15 - 20 minutes feeding time is plenty. Maybe once he starts tugging at the breast, that's your signal to finish the feed, if he's still hungry, he'll let you know! I read that it never takes longer than 20 minutes max to empty a breast, usually less, anything beyond that is just sucking for comfort. Maybe something to look into? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lo-pulling-at-breast-while-nursing#post-393715 Mon, 12 Nov 2012 16:36:16 +0000 hilsy85 393715@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@TurtleDoves: thanks for chiming in! I didn't think it was a dairy intolerance, since, like I said, he's not really that fussy/gassy. I think I was just getting paranoid because I eat so much dairy and I feel like I keep hearing about people whose LOs are dairy intolerant! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lo-pulling-at-breast-while-nursing#post-393705 Mon, 12 Nov 2012 16:34:03 +0000 CupQuakeWalk 393705@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I can't speak on the tugging, unfortunately but I did want to chime in on the dairy intolerance. Trust me when I say: you will KNOW when he is intolerant of something. My son was INSANELY fussy and screamed all day for hours when he was getting dairy. I mean... there is no mistaking it. As soon as dairy was out: he has been an angel! and so calm, and quiet. So, it's not dairy intolerance in my opinion. That being said: some kids have slow or delayed onset...meaning they don't immediately get fussy but get fussy hours later. Still- luckily for you, I don't think that's the case:) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lo-pulling-at-breast-while-nursing#post-393704 Mon, 12 Nov 2012 16:33:42 +0000 hilsy85 393704@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sorrycharlie: When I pull him off and burp him, he usually will burp in a a few minutes, but he then won't really be interested in latching back on...which works with what you said about wanting to suck but being too full. But that means that he's only getting about 15-20 minutes total of nursing, which doesn't seem to be enough....? Or is it? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lo-pulling-at-breast-while-nursing#post-393698 Mon, 12 Nov 2012 16:32:11 +0000 sorrycharlie 393698@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My LO does this if she needs to burp. If I pop her off and burp her she will usually feed again without tugging, unless she gets another bubble. If he continues to play he might be done, but just wanting to suck (but too full to want more milk)? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lo-pulling-at-breast-while-nursing#post-393691 Mon, 12 Nov 2012 16:30:07 +0000 hilsy85 393691@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Recently (over the last week/few days), LO has started squishing his face into my breast and then pulling away during his feeding. This usually only happens on the 2nd breast (I feed him for 10-15 minutes on one side and then switch him). On the 2nd side, he'll eat for 5-6 minutes, and then start pushing his face in and then pulling it out. It's uncomfortable for me, as he tugs at my nipple. He also makes grunting noises while he's doing it, and sometimes loud swallowing sounds. </p> <p>Does this mean that the milk is coming out too fast? Or that it's coming out too slowly? or just that he's playing with my breast because he's done eating? Could it be the beginning of a dairy intolerance--aka, he's uncomfortable/gassy while he's eating (I don't think this is it because his poops are normal and he doesn't seem to be especially gassy/fussy the rest of the day)? </p>