Too hot to bf!

[MrsPhas3]

ds is struggling at the moment to stay on, he feeds well for a few minutes then cries until he's put down, but shortly after he cries again to be fed. It's currently taking about 1 hour to give him what he normally takes in about 10 minutes.

I'm pretty sure its heat related as he feeds fine first thing in the morning and during the night. I always feed him in the conventional way, sitting up with him lying across my lap. Any suggestions for an alternative position? Lying down isn't very successful, I think because I have smallish boobs so can't maneouvre them into a good position, so we still have to end up being as close as normal and so not much cooler (and added to that I've never worked out where to put my lower arm and end up with pins and needles!).

He's 4 months by the way, and quite a robust long little fellow.

[EffiePerine]

It might be developmental as well (combined with the heat), I found DS was more unsettled at 4/5 months

Rugby hold position? not sure if that would be cooler

or feed in a cool dark room? CAn you keep the blinds/curtains closed and windows open in one room (pref north facgin) to keep the temp down?

[MrsPhas3]

Thanks, I think it might be combined with a bit of developmental stuff too, as I remember the others pulling off loads at around this stage.

Never managed the rugby hold, but then only tried with a newborn. Will give it a go later, if I balance him at the right height, then there needn't be too much contact.

Will attempt to keep one room cold, but with the two others at home, I prefer to feed with them at least in earshot.

I'll persevere, after all this is an English summer so it's unlikely to last too long .

[HolidaysQueen]

MrsP - I'm having similar issues. DH resorted to fanning us yesterday while we fed but not really an option now he's back at work!

The way I'm coping is to be more slumped in the sofa than normal and having DS diagonal on me so we aren't quite as tightly cuddled as usual. His head rests on my arm but because I'm slumped I'm not really having to cuddle him as my body supports him better IYSWIM, so less sweaty.

As you say though, this hot spell won't last and we'll be glad of the warmth from our little bundles quite soon!

[snooks]

can you direct a fan at you while feeding - am doing this and it is a godsend. Makes feeding pleasurable again in this heat.

[MrsPhas3]

snooks - the little bugger darling is distracted by the fan!!

HQ - I don't think I can slump any further, but will give it a go!

[VictorianSqualor]

Have him naked and put a thin muslin between you and he so no skin contact.
It's exactly the same with us atm.

I had thought about expressing and giving a bottle from the fridge as it may be cooler but I'm not sure I can be bothered

[WilfSell]

we've found it easier lying on a bed or the sofa lately so there's not so much body contact and holding. Or - now he's an agile nearly 1 year old - he just cruises over to me and slurps standing up! Not the most elegant experience and not one that's much help with a 4 month old though.

[ChairmumMiaow]

We're having the same problem

6mo DS will drink for a minute or two then try to wriggle away. Unfortunately the only place he seems to bve happy this afternoon is naked on his changing mat (on the floor) and I, bad mummy that I am, am just letting him watch cbeebies cos I'm too hot and tired to do anything myself after an hour of teething screaming earlier :-(

[HolidaysQueen]

VS's tip on being naked with a muslin between has just worked well for us. I also liberally doused myself in talc to soak up sweat beforehand and that worked a treat!

[Sputnik]

I live in Italy and had my 2 in the summer. The hospital said to feed lying down for the heat, try experimenting with propping him on a pillow or put your arm under his head to keep him in place. I am quite small in the nork department but it worked for me, so persevere and hopefully you'll crack it.

[VictorianSqualor]

Also quick splash in a tepid sink for LO beforehand ensures they are cool, DS2 has been having about 5 baths a day

[MrsPhas3]

Thanks Ladies fortunately the huge storm last night has helped cool things down.

Hopefully there will be plenty of opportunities to try out your techniques in the near future!

[ChairmumMiaow]

And suddenly this morning, DS is interested in his solid food again! (stole my crumpet out of my mouth and is now in his highchair eating mango when he doesn't normally have breakfast!)

Babies are odd!

[nik76]

Another vote for rugby - it took me a while to get this one, use ALL the cushions from the sofa and give it a go!

[MrsPhas3]

I think I've got a bloody blocked duct now, which is probably a combination of going out last night and expressing rather than feeding and a few days of not feeding particularly well - it's agony. Just what I need during the school hols