5mo clamping on then moving head away

[weeblueberry]

My 5mo is starting to get to that 'easily distracted' stage while feeding but instead of unlatching she's just clamping down then moving her head away. Last week she did it so often on a day of intense feeding that she mangled my nipple and caused a big crack to appear. Lasinoh has healed it but she's done it again a lot today. Is there any way to discourage it? It's absolute agony when she does it and she does it so quickly there's no way to anticipate it and unlatch her.

Ouch, that sounds painful. Sorry but I've got no advice other than to ring one of the Bding Support Helplines, maybe a BFC will have some tips

Mine is 5 months and does the same thing. I try to do it in a quiet semi dark room! ????

About that age I had to feed mine in a dark, quiet place to, but someone suggested something which worked well. When DC twists away, firmly say "no!", loudly if need be, and press their face into the boob for a couple of seconds. They get a surprise and an uncomfortable sensation and both of mine stopped after doing that about twice.

(Reading it back, it sounds terribly mean, but they can breathe fine and its just a shock to them!)

It will reduce the pain somewhat if you can keep both hands available while feeding, one clamping the back of her neck as close to your boob as possible (this should stop her pulling the nipple out, which thins the skin and makes it liable to crack) and a finger of your other hand right close to her mouth so you can break the suction as quickly as possible. You have my every sympathy!

DS went through a phase of this at a similar age, it was a nightmare. I was on the verge of giving up BFing at the time and phoned the LLL helpline in tears after a particulary painful feed and with blocked ducts resulting from his faffing. The lady advised trying to feed in a quiet, darkened room to see if he got less distracted. It was marginally helpful, but in the end he just grew out of it. I didn't let him hurt me either - if he started pulling and turning his head away I would stop the feed and try again in a short while. If you suspect you're getting blocked ducts (because he's not feeding properly and clearing your milk) try massaging and hand expressing the lumpy bit in a hot shower - it's better to nip it in the bud as soon as you detect it so that it doesn't progress and turn into mastitis.

I won't lie, it was an awful few weeks, but we got through it and I'm still feeding him now at 15 months, so there is hope! Apparently it's common for babies to go through this distractable stage, it's a sign that they're becoming more alert and aware of their surroundings. Little consolation when they're attached to your boob whilst simultaneously trying to look over their shoulder because the cat walked in / a car went past / a bird tweeted somewhere out in the garden , I know! Well done for making it to 5 months, and good luck for tackling this latest challenge.

Thanks all! Unfortunately I also have a toddler so feeding in a dark room isn't always possible sadly. I've been trying to get her to focus on me though but with attention seeking older sister that's not always going to happen.

She's still doing it on occasion. Enough that it's not getting a chance to fully heal and it's still achy. Manageable but achy.