Why does my boob-hating FF baby root so much?!

[Zara1984]

Possibly a stupid question but my 5 month old DS has been doing this more and more (like, at least one instance a day) now. It's very confusing! Now he's having a long nap (for once) thought I'd ask you brainy lot about it.

Got lots of great support from MN when DS refused (and I mean, screaming desperately) to latch. Nobody could work out why he wouldn't. He got upset when my boobs came near him but loved any brand of bottle you'd stick in his mouth. Like I think I got just over 6 actual breastfeeds in, the rest was expressed and bottle fed. It was devastating and I stopped at 2 weeks, and he's been fully FF since with no problems.

Anyway, since he was about 12 weeks, he desperately roots at my boobs. Sometimes he will pull off the bottle and turn and try and grasp/suckle with his mouth at my chest. After his 12 week jabs (which is when I first noticed this), he got so distressed that he refused bottle, pacifier (which he never liked much anyway) and nursed from my (milk-free!) left boob for 10 minutes). I only offered him the boob because it seemed it was the only thing he wanted and I couldn't soothe him any other way. Occasionally he will literally attack my boobs so much that I have to remove my top and he will suckle for a few minute, pull off then look around and carry on with his day...! At least once a day he will try and get at my nipple with his mouth, but if I actually offer him the boob he's usually not interested.

Does this mean anything. Nothing? Is it just instinct?? DH told him "sorry son, the milk cow was sold for magic Aptamil beans a long time ago...."

[Zara1984]

With the pulling off the bottle and turning to the breast, he only does this with me, not with DH. Which is why I thought it was something more than instinct?

[tiktok]

It's instinct and reflex, for sure, but it is instinct and understanding related to his connection with you and it is lovely you can respond to this. He wants the connection and closeness with you and totally grasps his dad can't meet this need in the same way (he has other ways of relating to him of course).

Just continue letting him suckle and relax into it.

See what happens.

People do relactate and go back to bf even after this length of time, you know :)

[Zara1984]

Thanks Tiktok! I did wonder about relactation. When I have offered him boob since on other occasions (not when very hungry... As I know meltdown is sure to ensue!) he sort of gums my nipple then gets confused/starts wriggling! Not sure! Will see how it goes.

[tiktok]

Hang on in there. You know what his response is likely to be - breast for comfort is just fine so picking the moment is a good idea, to avoid him getting cross.