Bedtime breastfeed - 9 mth old distracted and playing instead of feeding. Help.

[FunkyGlassSlipper]

DD2 (9 mths) has been ill this week and has gone from 3 feeds a day to about 7 over the last few days and now back down to 4.

She seems a lot better today however she seems to think bedtime milk now involves a bit of a suck, then unlatch, then jump on mummy and bundle until nipple ends up in mouth.

Cue lots of giggling from DD2, 1 and DH .

I think she's probably not too peckish as we've had a late dinner the last couple of evenings, and she has had an abundance of milk all week as she was off her solids but how do I get my snuggly bedtime back?

She seems to like a long feed at 6am in the morning (whereas DD1 always liked hers in the evening) and there is no playing then.

A couple of months ago I wanted to wean and now I really dont. DH thinks it is a sign she's less interested and would be happy with a cup instead of b/f. What can I do to sort out the evening feed?

I'm afraid I don't have anything to suggest but I can sympathise!! DS went through this. Eventually he outgrew it though. So hopefully this phase won't last long for you!

DS messed about at this age and I'd just put him in his cot till I thought he was ready to feed properly - usually took about 5 minutes - as I got really fed up with it! He did settle down again and he's only just self weaned at 20 months (about 6 weeks ago). I do miss those evening snuggles though!

As I read what I've written I can see that giggly DD and DH, combined with illness and late dinner are all factors but I'd still be intersted in tips to stop her getting so distracted!

I have a similar problem but in the morning FGS! Ds thinks that waking up is far too much fun and often won't feed until a couple of hours after he has woken for the day. Silly whatsits sometimes. Does she feed better if you take her away from giggly distractions?

DS always had a long feed in the morning and only a few sucks at night. But as this didn't affect him sleeping through the night I just left it to him to decide what he wanted. Plus he had his tea only about 1-2 hours before bedtime, so probably wasn't that hungry.

I think I would just let her take as much as she wants as long it doesn't affect her sleep.

The last few nights have been unsettled but I think that is because she's been ill. She's much better today so I need to see if she wakes at 4am again for a feed.

It's strange as DD1's last feed to go was the bedtime one and she would snuggle for ages. DD2 seems much more inclined to do that in the morning. Not that I'm complaining as she wakes at 6am and the last thing I want to do is get out of bed to go and get milk (DH currently gets her and brings her to me )

It didnt seem to make much difference when I tried feeding after DH and DD1 had left the room.

It always seems so flippant to say it's just a phase - but...... My DS2 is 8 months & has started geting very distsracted & sometimes misses a full feed as he is so busy bobbing around. I find it best to keep things as quiet as possible,(no-one else in the room) and tea at 5pm to have a successful 7.30pm bedtime.

Not sure if this would work now, but I found that rhythmic patting when she started to feed would sometimes get my daughter into a longer, calmer feed.