Breastfeeding question???

Question

I have a 10 week old son and recently he wants to play and coo and talk rather than eat. He eats rather well in the morning but in the afternoon and evening he wants to play or look around and not latch on. Any suggestions? Sometimes he gets really mad too so I have to pump and give him a bottle because once he's mad then he really won't latch on.

Answer 1

He's socializing, he's "flirting" with you, mom. He wants your attention more than the food. Let him eat what he wants, when he wants, and talk and socialize with him back. Feeding time is about more than food, he's learning people skills, enjoy him while you can, he'll grow faster than you can imagine. When hunger is really strong enough, he'll latch like a leech!

Answer 2

You need to take your baby in a quite dark or dim room to nurse. Less distraction lead to better feedings. Also if you really want to nurse do not allow a 10 week old to take the bottle, when he get hungrey he will latch on just fine. Look for his feeding cues and not when you think he should be eating.

Answer 3

This is a new stage, and your baby is really excited about being able to communicate with you in a different way, so when he is so close he wants to smile and make his new noises. He will most likely get a little more serious about eating again in a few weeks, but he will always do this in the future. It can get a little embarrasing at times, especially if you are trying to feed in a less private place. But remember, this is not a 'dirty' thing, and he is just a happy baby.

If you want to avoid this, then give it a little more time before you feed him, so he is more hungry than playful.

Answer 4

My daughter has done this for a while and she still does it. She'll drink for 1 minute then be pre-occupied. be careful with giving bottles it can get nipple confusion. I rarely gave my daughter a bottle and now she will never take one. She will only drink from me, a sippy cup or through a straw. If he won't latch on try waiting for a little while till he gets cranky and you find out he's hungry then try it again. When he gets hungry he'll latch on.

Answer 5

If he is hungry and getting mad and then won't eat, try putting a receiving blanket over your shoulder to block out distractions. Enjoy the coos though too-they grow up too fast!

Answer 6

Breastfeed in a dark quiet room away from everything. I really only breastfeed in bed because a) my baby is HEAVY and b) he gets distracted anywhere else.

Also, if you co-sleep he can make up for the feedings at night.

Oh and my baby never eats for more that 5 min (often only 2), except when he is waking up in the morning. And he was 20lbs at 4 months so he was obviously eating enough.

Answer 7

Oh, how cute! He wants to play with his mama! Just enjoy him while you can and feed him when he's hungry and ready to latch on. Also, as he gets older his stomach is getting larger and he can hold more thereby spacing out his feeding a little more. Good luck!

Answer 8

What a sweetheart. He is socializing. He is full of joy.

In the morning he is very hungry. He is so young and still learning about what is around him.

Not sure what to say about him being mad. Distract him as you can. He will settle in to a routien.

Answer 9

My son wasn't really distracted when he ate but he constantly fell asleep and it drove me crazy.I had to constantly bounce or tickle or undress him to keep him awake.
As far as how to keep him eating-go in a quiet dimly lighted room and don't coo and play back to him.Basically ignore him-I know it sounds rude but he needs his food!

Answer 10

You know i used to go through the same problem with my daughter. She would coo at me and talk and look around. But I was just patient with her and eventually she outgrew it. They just start to notice things going on around them, but it is perfectly normal. Also try going to a quiet room by yourself, that may help.