distracted breast feeding

[claire spiers]

my son is 4.5 months old and terribly distracted when feeding. After only 5 mins or so he starts arching his back and trying to look over his shoulder or all around him.

My yield is good, about 180ml each breast, he is 60th percentile for weight and 75th for height so no growth problems.

Can he be that efficient or how can I keep him feeding ?  :?

[amheusser]

How often is he feeding?  It may be time to extend his schedule a little, if he doesn't seem hungry.   There is so much for him to notice now, if you can manage to feed in a dim/quiet place that will make it easier for him to pay attention.  Or he really could be that efficient, which will make your life easier as long as you're sure he's getting enough.  I'd just watch for any cues that he's hungry, and if you don't see them, he's probably fine!

[claire spiers]

Thankyou for your advice.

It's my first day following the routine today and Harri is going 4 hours between feeds. I think the problem is that to date he has been a feed on demand snacker. He isn't filling up because he thinks he will be fed again in a couple of hours.

I will persevere with the 4 hourly feeds and hopefully things will improve.

Regards

[Samuel's mum]

It's quite a jump from on-demand to every 4 hours! How is your supply responding to the shock? A breastfed baby at 4.5 months can often go 3 hours or even a little less between feeds and not be considered a 'snacker' as breastmilk is digested so quickly. It is incredible how quickly they become efficient at getting a full feed. The bobbing off can also be a symptom of wind - Have you definitely ruled that out?

[Erin (redstarfalling)]

I agree - it might be a bit of a stretch going from demand to 4 hrs, but if he's adjusting well, then he might be ready.  How is the rest of the routine going?  Is he sleeping well?  Overtired babies are more easily overstimulated and might not settle to eat. I also have to feed my dd RIGHT when she wakes from a nap and is still groggy - in the dark room - not moving elsewhere.  Have you tried that?  Finally, do you do breast compression when the flow slows down?  Some babies tend to pop off when it's not gushing out as fast!  :wink: It might inspire him to stay on a bit longer.  It's possible he could just be that efficient, though.  You'll know if he's getting enough if the weight gain is maintained, he can go long enough in the daytime between feeds, isn't waking all night to eat, and has lots of wet and dirty diapers.  Is he happy and active during the day too?

[claire spiers]

Thank you all for your advice!

In hindsight going from on demand to 4 hourly was a big jump, but he seems to be happy with it. Doesn't seem to be going hungry - even after a 4 hour stretch.

He is a windy baby, but even after a few big belches I can't get him back on.

In general, we are 8 days into the 4 hourly EASY routine and it is going REALLY well 

He no longer cries during the day, which suggests to me that he isn't going hungry (along with the wet and dirty nappies) .

I wake him at 0700 and feed him straight away. Despite being used to 4 hourly feeds now, he still pulls away after only about 8 mins and arches his back to look around him. Even in a dark quiet room.

After persevering for about 30 mins we progress to activity.

He then goes down happily for a sleep at 0900 for about an hour, I try to get him to go for longer if he will.

I then feed him again at 1100, breast and then rice with expressed milk - he eats a lot ! probably about 3-4oz worth.

He then sleeps for about 1 hour at 1300, I try to get him back down and sometimes he will go for another 40 minutes or so.  I then breastfeed him.

He then naps in the afternoon for about 45 mins.

I then breastfeed him at 1850 and give him rice at 1900.

He takes a good 20 min dreamfeed, breast only - although have tried to introduce bottle to see him through - wouldn't take it, just chews teat.

He goes to sleep at about 1930 and only wakes once usually between 0300 - 0400 when he happily guzzles for 20 mins! and doesn't wake until 0700.

I am expressing one hour after feeds in order to keep up my supply whilst his appetite is suppressed. I am using this to make rice for the 1100 and the 1900 feeds.

So in summary he has gone from feeding, crying and not sleeping 24/7 to sleeping when he should and being really happy.

I am delighted       my only concern is the quantity of milk he is taking.

I have tried topping him up with the bottle of expressed milk but he just wont take it. He just can't be hungry - could be teething or just ready for weening ? alternatively, this could just be a phase.

Regards

[Erin (redstarfalling)]

I'm really glad to hear that things are going better!

One thing that stood out to me, though, is the addition of rice cereal...any reason why you decided to start it so early?  I'm not sure if you're aware that the current recommendations are to exclusively bf (NO solids) for the first 6 months.  Starting them too early can lead to tummy trouble, allergies, problems with sleep, and it can also cause babies to drink less milk. :? So, if you're worried that he's not getting enough milk, I would DEFINITELY hold off on the solids.  He doesn't need them for nutrition or for calories - it's a common fallacy that bigger babies need to be started sooner on solids.  I personally know a lot of really big babies whose moms waited until 6 months. In the first year, solids are really only for practice!

So that's my (strong!) suggestion!  Hold off on solids for now, and he might actually start drinking more of the milk, which he really needs.

[annamum]

I second Erin, no solids are needed till 6 months. Breastmilk is a whole food, it contains all your baby needs. No cereal, veggies or fruits can equal to what breastmilk offers to a baby of his age. There are lots of reasons AAP, WHO and UNICEF say to offer solids not earlier than 6 months, really  .

[Katet]

I just wanted to add, I have a very big 4.5mo (off the standard charts at 9kg+ & 72cm long he is the size of an average 9mo boy) He only feeds for about 7-8mins or less & I feed 5 times in 24hours (he sleeps 9-10 hours). I have to agree with the others the rice cereal isn't necesary & is quiet probably the cause of the gas as his little tummy isn't ready for anything other than milk.

[claire spiers]

Thank you all.

I wanted to breastfeed exclusively for 6 months but contrary to my instinct I was repeatedly being told that I had a big hungry baby and that he was ready to go onto solids, this would help him get through the night.

It really upsets me giving him solids, I feel as though I am contaminating him and then worry about whether it is upsetting his stomach.

Will it not upset him further if I now remove them from his diet ? he's been enjoying rice for a couple of weeks ?

Regards

[Erin (redstarfalling)]

I don't think he'll mind at all!  Babies routines and interests are constantly changing anyway.  And if he ends up taking more milk and having a more settled tummy, then he'll just be happier anyway, right? 

[amheusser]

Unless he really seems to be enjoying the process of eating, I wouldn't worry about stopping the rice, and it's only another month before you start up again so he won't be thrown off too much.  On the other hand, if things are going well now, you might not want to change anything!   

When you count up his total intake for the day, are you including the ebm that you're mixing with the rice?  That's a few extra ounces, and if it's easier to get it into him with a spoon rather than directly from the source, that can't hurt.