Breastfeeding Your Distracted Baby
As your baby grows, they become more aware of the world around them. This can make breastfeeding a little more challenging! If your little one seems distracted during feedings, don’t worry—this is a normal phase in your breastfeeding journey. Here’s how to keep breastfeeding through this stage and ensure your baby stays well-fed and happy.1
Understanding What’s Happening1
- Baby’s Growing Independence: Your baby is becoming more aware that they’re separate from you. They may even pull off the breast to look around or smile at you during a feeding. It may take some encouragement to get them to finish the feeding.
- Curiosity Overdrive: By the time your baby is 4-5 months old, you may notice that they are becoming more aware of their surroundings. They want to explore the world and take in everything they can see and hear. This natural curiosity can make them more distracted during feedings.
- Teething Trouble: When your baby begins teething, sore gums may cause them to pause or come off the breast more frequently during feedings. Teething pain can make it harder for them to focus and nurse comfortably, so don’t be surprised if they seem a little distracted during this time.
- Increased Mobility: As your baby begins to sit up, crawl, or pull to standing, they may become so excited by their new skills that breastfeeding takes a backseat. Their growing independence can lead to shorter or more distracted feedings as they focus on exploring the world around them.
- More Efficient Feedings: As your baby grows, they may get more efficient at breastfeeding, meaning they can get enough milk in a shorter amount of time. Shorter sessions, especially during the day, are common as babies grow. As long as your baby is content between feedings and growing well, there’s no need to worry—it’s just a sign of their developing skills.
Tips for Managing a Distracted Baby1
- Something to Focus On: Holding your baby’s hand, maintaining eye contact, or giving them a toy to hold may help them focus better during feedings. Keeping them engaged physically can help keep their attention on the task at hand.
- Create a Quiet Space: To help your baby focus, try breastfeeding in a calm, quiet environment. This might mean turning off the TV, putting your phone away, or even sitting in a dark room or using a nursing cover—even at home. Reducing distractions will allow your baby to settle and focus more on feeding.
- Babywearing: Try breastfeeding your baby in a soft carrier or sling. This can help reduce distractions and encourage your baby to get a full meal. Being close to you in the carrier may also provide the comfort they need to focus more on feeding.
- More Frequent Feeds: If, despite your best efforts, your baby is too distracted for full feeds (or both sides), they may need more frequent feedings. Being responsive to your baby’s feeding cues will ensure you continue to make plenty of milk as your baby grows.
- Breastfeed to Sleep: Naptime, bedtime, and middle-of-the-night feedings are great opportunities to make sure your baby gets enough milk. Many babies get a large portion of their milk intake during nighttime feedings when there are fewer distractions.
- Plan Ahead: If you’re out and about, try to feed your baby before you go. This way, you won’t have to worry about them being distracted and not feeding well while you’re away. If your baby is eating solid foods, don’t forget to pack a snack and bring a sippy cup for times when they’re too distracted to breastfeed in public.
Remember—It’s Just a Phase1
- Be Patient: It can be frustrating when you encounter a breastfeeding “speedbump,” but remember that this is a phase that will pass. Keep offering the breast and stay patient. If your baby pulls away and gets distracted, gently coax them back to the breast. They may just need a few opportunities to settle before they can focus on feeding again.
- It’s Temporary: Your baby is still learning and growing, and they’re just figuring out how to balance the excitement of the world around them. This distracted breastfeeding phase won’t last forever.
- Pump if Needed: If your baby isn’t nursing enough and your breasts feel uncomfortably full, use a breast pump to keep your milk supply steady and ensure your milk production doesn’t drop.
- Get Breastfeeding Help: Working with a Lactation Consultant can provide invaluable support in helping you navigate a variety of breastfeeding challenges, including getting through this distracted phase.
What If I Have Questions?
If you are interested in learning more, these Aeroflow classes expand on some of the topics discussed above:
- Ultimate Breastfeeding Prep
- Babycare for the Breastfed Baby
- Babywearing & Breastfeeding
To register for these classes, log into your portal or click here.
Want More Info?
For a directory of Aeroflow’s other Care Guides offering information on pregnancy, baby care, and more, browse our comprehensive list of titles:
Our classes and accompanying materials are intended for general education purposes and should not replace medical evaluation or consultation. Please seek advice from your own healthcare providers for individualized recommendations.
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