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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

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Original poster

Ds pulling at my top when out and about for bf

15 replies

LEMONADEGIRL · 05/10/2007 21:02

Ds of 11 months was sat in supermarket trolley this afternoon and wanted bf, started pulling at my top and partially exposing my bra. Must point out that it was not feed time etc Took his hand away and said no but he got upset and started crying. What to do in this situation?

OP posts:

FrannyandZombie · 05/10/2007 21:06

You could teach him the sign language for milk and then he would probably use that instead of pulling your clothes, but not necessarily. How do you mean it was not feed time? It's fine to feed him whenever he asks for it. I think if a young baby is upset and wants feeding then whenever possible I would feed him. It's the easiest thing to do and makes for a happy baby IME.

Original poster

LEMONADEGIRL · 05/10/2007 21:12

we do not have baby signing in my area which is a shame. It is a recent development with him pushing my top aside etc. As though he has just realised where the milk comes from and does use me for comfort sucking. My fault really as he was quite ill recently and let him.

The supermarket does not have bf areas and did not want to dive into the loo.

OP posts:

MrsCarrot · 05/10/2007 21:19

Could you have found a bench or gone out to the car, or distracted him with a banana or something till you found somewhere to sit? I think I would distract as much as possible until I could feed him.

FrannyandZombie · 05/10/2007 21:19

Oh sorry I should have said - sign for milk is just squeezing your hand together to make a fist. If you do it every time you feed him and say "Milk? Milk, do you want some milk? Yes you are having your milk" etc etc then he will soon cotton on and may be able to make the sign quite quickly. It's very discreet and not so embarrassing if you feel self-conscious about him pulling your clothes.

It is fine for him to comfort suck and for you to let him - really! It's good for him to ask for comfort and to be given it. It helps babies learn about relationships and trust and human beings taking care of each other. It will help him to be happier and calmer if he can have milk whenever he wants to. It helps you too as it releases calming hormones whenever you breastfeed. Good for you for letting him comfort suck when he's ill - best thing for him and I bet it helped him get better more quickly.

Yes I do see about the supermarket. If he was really upset I might have finished my shopping quickly and ducked into the car or a nearby cafe. Or, if they had seats in the supermarket, just sat down and gave him a quick blast. But sometimes he will just have to wait a bit, obviously - would something to eat have distracted him? he was probably bored and grumpy. Shopping not much fun for babies, or mummies for that matter...

seeker · 05/10/2007 21:21

I would have just found a seat and fed one of mine at that age. But if you don't want to, then a gentle no and a quick distraction with some fruit or a french stick might work? I wouldn't worry about him revealing your bra - I doubt if anyone noticed!

Original poster

LEMONADEGIRL · 05/10/2007 21:37

Thanks

will try signing milk.

Did try distraction but ds threw on floor.

People noticed not bra though. I do tend to dawdle so as you say not much fun for ds. Usually go on my own so I feel ducking out a bit difficult. Will just have to now if it continues. We must look funny to on lookers we regularly have to stop for cuddles and kisses in the aisles, probably just an extenion of this.

OP posts:

FrannyandZombie · 05/10/2007 21:44

Aw I love the stopping for cuddles bit

really, let people look, who cares, this is your baby and you only get the one chance to have this time with him

stop and feed him if you want to. You might try a sling? My ds loved shopping in a ring sling at this age, as they are at adult height and can see much more interesting thing than just everyone's knees. Plus you can chat and kiss and cuddle more easily

FrannyandZombie · 05/10/2007 21:45

and I left my shopping in the trolley and went to cafe several times when ds was this age! Sometimes shopping just doesn't work. Sometimes you can just throw the essentials in the basket and get through it quickly. But I always planned for a couple of stops for ds if I was going to be in town for any length of time.

Original poster

LEMONADEGIRL · 05/10/2007 21:59

thanks F&Z, will just be a bit more relaxed in future.

Sling would be a great idea but ds is a big baby and am only tiny [whispers 4 ft 10] ds taking after dh. Have vision of being bent over carrying his weight

OP posts:

FrannyandZombie · 05/10/2007 22:05

Oh yes they are quite huge at this age aren't they? Do you end up carrying him on your hip half the time though because he doesn't like being in the pram? I did, so I gave up and used the sling mostly. They kind of sit on your hip, supported by your pelvis, your shoulder and the material, so it is more comfortable than you might think. I found shopping was a breeze with it as ds was interested in everything that was going on - it was only when he got to about 2 and too heavy to carry around, that he turned into an arse on shopping trips. He is still an arse now (4.5!) I leave him at home whenever possible.

Original poster

LEMONADEGIRL · 05/10/2007 22:09

was not aware you could do that, thanks so much, will give it a go

OP posts:

FrannyandZombie · 05/10/2007 22:16

like this

I shall go away and stop bossing you now lemonadegirl

melpomene · 05/10/2007 22:44

Distraction - or would a drink of water from a cup/bottle have helped?

Sign language is a good suggestion. Too late for me, though: a few months ago I had to contend with dd2 shouting "Milky nipples! Milky nipples!" as I wheeled her round Asda in a trolley.

FrannyandZombie · 05/10/2007 22:53

Oh dear

callmeovercautious · 05/10/2007 23:01

Signing is a good suggestion, I have been trying with DD who is 13m as she has taken to pinching my boobs in public!

Today she was on my knee at a friends house and started pinching the top of them (the bit showing in the v neck of my top), friend said "oh she has started pinching! My DS doesn't do that" Her DS was bottle fed from 6m so I wouldn't expect him to! When I explained I think she was emarrassed

At least she doesn't shout "BOOBIE!"

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