6 month old nursing behaviour

[SoraSky]

Hi all!

My second time in posting here now!

I am a FTM to a lovely little 6 month old boy.

We have had a bit of a rocky go at it since about three weeks old. He began with SR, which is now all under control. Which lead to terrible sleep. Anyways, continuing on, at about 6 weeks old he began to get fussy with both bottle and breast. Refusing bottle, and only taking short breastfeeds. This continued to the point where he would only nurse well when asleep during his naps! So we have basically been sleep feeding during naps since then.

Recently, he has started to nurse awake, but he will fuss for the letdown to begin- drink that up and then he's finished. So the total session is about 4 or 5 min if we are lucky.

I do have a fast letdown (it sprays when he comes off sometimes). So I wonder if he could be getting enough in that time? I just wonder because if he falls asleep feeding or I dreamfeed him, he will drink for longer and get multiple letdowns.

How long do your 6 month old nurse for? How long after the initial letdown will your baby stay on for? What's your 6 month or older baby nursing behaviour like?

I do know they get aware and want to check out the world while nursing- but idk if this is normal as I'm a FTM!

All the best and thank you for helping and reading!

By the time mine was 6 months she behaved similarly to your lo. She only fed for a few minutes at a time apart from when asleep. I started giving her a bottle of formula each day at 5 months old. When she moved onto solids that did not help at all and eventually I gave her more formula throughout the day after meals. I think this 6 month point is a particularly tricky time. But soon they’ll be eating more solids and things will get easier.

Mine is 9 months now, but behaving very similar. She just seems very distracted if probably properly awake and feeds very quickly. She only really has proper feeds before bed and a nap.

@vincettenoir & @Keha

Thank you both for your responses!
It makes things a little difficult in terms of going out etc as if he doesn't nap in his usual place at home where it's not stimulating, he won't drink or won't drink much at all.

He's begun solids and enjoys mash and purée, I'm too nervous to jump into finger foods yet- we tried a steamed carrot stick once and he gagged so much and then proceeded to cough up a large piece that he must of tried to swallow! He does want our food though...

He is also just learning a doidy cup now- mostly mess. And only chews on a sippy or straw cup. If he gets the hang of one of those soon (few months) it would be easier in terms of a drink while out and then a full feed before a nap.

He refuses bottles now unfortunately

When did your little ones figure out alternative cups?

I guess it's just perseverance with this behaviour and letting him drink even a little amount.

I'm looking forward to finger foods and when he can eat a bit more!

My baby is 6 months and breastfeeds at least every 2 hours, we co sleep and she is on there most of the night only coming off for short periods (45 mins would be the longest) I try to take her off sooner but she goes crazy even if sleeping she will wake and fuss

@SoraSky

I can't quite remember about the cup. She is 9 months and still pours quite a bit on the floor if she is holding it. But she can get some in her mouth or I'll hold it for her (or just a regular cup) and she drinks well. I found that once we started solids her fine motor skills (i.e ability to pick things up and put them in her mouth) improved very quickly.

To add, perhaps try things like banana and avocado as finger foods. They seem to break down very easily in their mouth (although they can have a hard time picking them up to begin with!)

@Keha thanks for that!

And good to hear.

We will keep at it then with the cup and hope to see some improvement quickly 😊 I agree about the fine motor skills though. It really helps with hand eye coordination.