Popping on and off

[jvigil03]

My four and a half month old has recently started popping off and on the breast several times for about 5 minutes before she settles to nurse. I don't know why she does it, there are no distractions at the time. She will latch on then give a few sucks then pop off then want it again. Does anyone have a trick to get her to stay on? She is gaining weight fine and seems content otherwise, it's just a bit annoying.

[whitnessforhim]

Before I opened your post I thought to myself "I bet her LO is around 4mo old" lol...Mine did this at exactly the same age. I found out that it is very normal for them to become very distracted at this age. Even when I would nurse DD in a quiet, dark room she'd pop off at any sound. Its a very normal phase. I say try your best to eliminate distractions, always feed in the same quiet, dark room and just give it some time! This will pass. Now my DD nurses no matter whats going on around her.

[lolabear]

ds does this sometimes, its weird, i will nurse him at daycare where there are people in and out and kids all around and he is fine and then there are times at home when nothing is going on and he pops on and off.

[sweetkisses]

It could just be that baby is distracted. Sometimes mine would even get distracted if I talked or looked at her.

It also could be that she is just being impatient because you milk has not let down yet. If that is the case maybe you could try breast compressions as soon as she latches on the help you milk come out a little quicker in the beginning. This sounds to me like what is going on.

[txgrl16]

How funny my DD is doing this too...yep turned 4 mos monday!

[MajikalFaeriePrincess]

My DS does this, he just turned 2 months earlier this week. He's been doing it for a while now. But to hear that they do this at 4 months as well, I can't wait to see how this will affect his eating habits. Lol. But I will agree, it is a tad on the annoying side and can be frustrating when he's hungry but won't stay on for any length of time.

Unfortunately he's starting to really focus on the fact that he can put his fingers in his mouth so now he's unlatching himself and then putting his hand to his mouth only to find that there's no food to be found and then gets upset. Lots of fun there!

[Sweetbabs]

I wish I could tell you it gets easier. My dd is 6 months old at is still easily distracted. I just bought a nursing necklace and can not wait to receive it in the mail to see if it works to keep her interested. It makes going out in public for an more then twp hours hard cause she will just snack unless we are home or in a comfortable place with less noise and light. I will tell you how it works when I get it and have tried it for a while. Here is the website were I bought it if you want to have a look. www.mommynecklaces.com/nursingnecklaceslimitededitions

[jvigil03]

Thanks for all of your tips and suggestions! This weekend went great, she seemed to be less distracted nursing in her room.