Distracted baby

[Olga_W]

Hello, I have a 23 month old and a 3 month old that started cutting his feedings short ( which already are short) because he gets distracted .  It is a challenge to nurse a baby with a toddler running around. He started pulling his head away, babbling, smiling and does not want to return to breast. I know it is a common time for babies to start doing so and I would like to see if other moms can share their experiences and how to get through this phase.

[Katet]

It's hard when they are distracted, but they can be more efficient so time isn't really an indication. If you are getting plenty of wet and dirty nappies and your baby is continuing to grow and Is content, I'd honestly say, don't be too worried.

[Olga_W]

He is healthy and gaining weight just fine so I am not worried about that. I only mentioned short feedings because about the same time he started waking up more often at night which I thought was connected. Like he wasn’t eating enough during day so he was making it up at night. But he wakes up and eat very little and goes back to sleep so I figured that is not it. It has been going on for almost two weeks now and I am quite tired. On top of that days started to look terrible as well...short naps, EASY routine out of wack...just can’t seem to manage to get it back on track.

[Katet]

Three months old is notorious for short naps, and tiredness, is a fault of society expectations rather than babies, who at 3mo can still be feeding 2-4 times a night.
I used to try and feed in the dark without my 2yo, as DS2 was a quick feeder, DS1 could watch a 10min Thomas video and I’d be back. As I chose to only focus on a main middle of the day nap, I didn’t have a traditional EASY, so not much help with that. I had DS2 napping on the go so I could get out of the house every morning and afternoon, so he did catnap, catnap, big nap (2+ hours) catnap, catnap at that age.

[Olga_W]

We also fallow modified EASY and focus on one main nap that falls when DS1 sleeps as well- catnap, catnap, longer nap, catnap. I implemented the cartoon for the before bed feed so I can have a nice quiet time for DS2 before bed. It is about 20 min so I really try to avoid more TV during the day. At this moment we have 2 quiet feeds and on some days more if DS1 allows
The short naps are manageable somehow...but the night wake ups are exhausting. DS1 also was bad during day but he had good nights. As I mentioned  DS2 started waking multiple times about 2 weeks ago, and it is anywhere from 4-7 times per night, sometimes more, at various hours. He was waking up 2 times before that. I just can't figure out what is waking him  up but I know it is not hunger. I tried feeding him on more than one occasion thinking it was a growth sprout but he barely ate and just fall back asleep. Maybe I will post a question in sleep section so someone can help me sort it out.

[Katet]

If he wasn't waking that much before  and you know it isn't hunger, I'd get  a Dr to check his ears as that can give distracted feeding and wake ups if there is fluid in the ears. Sometimes (like my DS1) there is no infection, just glue ear. Unfortunately though a lot of GPs aren't that great at recognising fluid without infection and ours was only identified by an ENT when he was older and his hearing was found to be not so good, but the ENT said it was probably the cause of his poor sleep when younger

[Olga_W]

Thank you. If it does not improve I will definitely ask doctor to check it out.

[Katet]

I'd probably get it checked out sooner rather than later, because the short distracted feedings & sudden onset of night waking are a real red flag to me.  While growth spurts & changes to sleep do occur, it's normally where they feed more & are harder to get to sleep rather than wake up more. 

[Olga_W]

You are right, it feels like something is bothering him. Most people are saying that maybe it is teething or he is hot or cold or maybe gas but nothing really fits for me. My friends suggested that I can do a trial and take him to bed with me for like 2-4 nights to see if I can tell what is happening. He sleeps with his brother in another bedroom so by the time I go to him he is already crying. If he is by my side I can catch him while he is still  tossing and turning. I also posted in sleep board to see if I can get some help. Last thing I can think of is problem with his day routine that is taking a toll on his night sleep.