i've struggled to get the knack of breastfeeding for so long, but now when i have it down pat my 6month old daughter is very distracted at feeding times, an also bitting alot.... everyone says push on, but its just so tiring... any tips????*help*

Michelle - posted on 04/28/2009

Isn't it crazy... you feel you just get them on a schedule and bam out of nowhere things change! When my little girl was 6 months old she started biting too. I finally realized I wasn't producing enough milk. I started taking herbal supplements and made sure I was drinking lots of water and getting enough protein in my diet and enough sleep. I know the sleep thing is easier said than done but house work can wait. Try to sleep when you baby naps. All those things helped me a lot! She is almost 10 months a still gets breast milk.

Michelle - posted on 04/28/2009

Isn't it crazy... you feel you just get them on a schedule and bam out of nowhere things change! When my little girl was 6 months old she started biting too. I finally realized I wasn't producing enough milk. I started taking herbal supplements and made sure I was drinking lots of water and getting enough protein in my diet and enough sleep. I know the sleep thing is easier said than done but house work can wait. Try to sleep when you baby naps. All those things helped me a lot! She is almost 10 months a still gets breast milk.

Emily - posted on 04/27/2009

My twins are almost 11 mo and have been this way since 5 mo of age. we had some difficulty in the beginning as well. I do the dimly lit room...sort of works...Any noise in the house is a distraction. When there is company forget it they just don't eat. The best advice I can give you is take it one feeding at a time. I never had any expectations when it came to nursing after each feeding I decided to do it again...I've made it this far and though I am looking forward to not nursing so much during the day I hope to continue the am and bedtime feedings as long as I can.



Each feeding can be so draining and stressful. Sometimes I end up in tears. Don't give up just aim for mini goals.

Joanie - posted on 04/27/2009

Nursing necklace, now there's a good idea. I agree with the quiet room. With the biting, what I've found that works is to not only remove babe from the breast, but to set her on the floor. Biters don't get to cuddle. Then a minute later you can pick her up and try again. It didn't take very long for my boy to learn. They DO learn, though and it gets better. Nursing is easier when they are sleepy so if all else fails, you can wait until nap time or bedtime to nurse.

Martha - posted on 04/27/2009

You've gotten a lot of good advice already. I wanted to add that if it isn't convenient to go to a dark room (e.g. you have other children to watch), you can put a blanket over yourself and baby so she is less likely to have something catch her eye. I've also heard of "nursing necklaces" which are basically fun stuff you wear around your neck to give baby something to look at and play with while she is eating. Good luck!

Nicki - posted on 04/26/2009

My daughter is 7 months old, and I'm going through the exact same thing.. She pulls (VERY HARD) and is very distracted at feeding times. The best thing I have found it to take her into a dimly lit room and let her nurse there. The T.V also distracts her, so I grab a book.. (Twilight Saga is a good read) As far as the biting goes, when I feel her start to pull I lightly push her face toward my breast, and she forgets what she was doing. I also quit after she does this. I have been fighting this for about 2 months, and she if finally learning that nursing time is over if she does this to me. I of course let her go back to it within 5 mins if she is actually hungry, but it's also a good indication that she would rather play than nurse.. :-)

Carolyn - posted on 04/26/2009

Oh! It's an annoying age to try and nurse, especially with other kids in the house to distract them. I love when they whip their heads around to look without letting go first!!

I try the "quiet" room as best I can with a three-year-old with Autism (not an easy task), but otherwise I figure she'll eat when she's hungry enough and sometimes I'll try giving her a favourite blankie to play with and/or cover her head to help keep her "on task".

Melissa - posted on 04/25/2009

Hi ...breastfeed her in a a room with no distractions,i.e. no tv, windows open, etc...i always put on a sound machine, too, and that works to drown out the external noises. good luck!

Elizabeth - posted on 04/25/2009

My daughter is the same way. Every time she bites, I firmly tell her no, you may not bite, and we are through for a while. The best advice someone gave me is she will eat when she's hungry and when she's really eating, she can't bite. Her tongue is in the way. Way to go with keeping it up for so long. Most have problems and quit. It's always good to see someone willing to continue to try.

Brenna gets distracted a lot too. Yes, it's very frustrating, but I just put it away, and try again later. She's gone 5 hours without eating before, and it makes me feel bad, but I know she's not starving, she's gaining weight great, so I just go with it. If you can go to a quiet place, it really helps, but if not, they always eat later... don't stress about it! ;) (I know, easier said than done...) but it's not worth it to stress, you can't force her to eat if she's not ready, no matter how much you may want to at times... :) She'll be ok.

You are doing great! Message me if you want to talk...

Good luck!

Dinah - posted on 04/25/2009

i agree with the other post. my son is almost 8 months and unless he is really hungry, i have to take him to a quiet room away from the other kids so he will nurse. and that is the same advice about the biting - sometimes easier said than done. if she is repeatedly doing it during a nursing session, I would just stop, and try nursing her a little bit later.

Mandy - posted on 04/25/2009

This is very common around your daughters age - they suddenly get more interested in the world. have you tried feeding in a quiet dark room? Stops any distractions. For biting immediately remove her from the breast, say no and then return her, do it every time she bites and she should get the message. Do you express at all, as to give you a break someone else could give her some in a cup.