Advice needed - is this behaviour abnormal?

[abigailj]

My DS is 12 weeks - he's my first, and he has developed a bunch of habits which really distress me, and are impossible to stop:

-lots of wriggling and yanking at my nipple(worst when he has wind/wants to poo)

-pulling my nipple as he looks backwards across the room (when the flow is too slow for him, I think)

-popping my nipple in and out of his mouth

I do wonder if its got something to do with flow that is too fast, then too slow, or bad latch (have tried to improve this, but he does what he wants).

He can take up to 30 mins per side, and often spends a fair amount of time sucking and waiting for the next letdown and a fresh flow of milk. He often seems frustrated when it slows.

Any advice greatly appreciated.

You could try talking or singing to keep his attention on you - it's quite sweet that he's already interested in things across the room at 12 weeks!
Wriggling and yanking must be really annoying! Have you tried feeding in different positions? Lying down is often easier and if he wriggles, he's wriggling onto the ned at least. (Pampers disposable change mats make fab lying-down BF bed-protectors!)
Popping in and out probably means he's had enough but likes sucking. If it's annoying, then maybe juststop the feed at that point?
Good luck and enjoy BF!
x

Mine does exactly the same when it comes to wiggling and yanking! If DH is walking round the room, he'll yank at my nipple as he turns his head so he can watch him.

He also pops my nipple as he looks at different things.

He's just getting interested in what's around him... but I agree, it's really NOT comfortable!!!

Thanks both for your msgs- really appreciate it. Just bad BF manners i suppose. To think that I assumed BF would be straightforward and simple!

Have also noticed that when i am feeding him in a cafe etc with a shawl over him there is less wriggling (tho still some). Does that work for u at all Mrs Humpty?

yip, if I cut out all distractions, he does behave better. The other thing he does is finish and decide to beam at me whilst still hanging onto the nipple - cute but again, youch!

Totally normal behaviour (unfortunately) :)

Thanks again. Yes, I have a feeling he tends to signal hes getting full or finished by smiling too - his way of expressing satisfaction?

I have a feeing he may have been havig a slightly early growth spurt...not sure if all the sucking and yanking was to do with stimulating supply.

A

May I refer you to this thread?