Distracted 7 month old!

[Rad123]

Hi all

Looking for some advice on distracted feeding!

I've had a rollercoaster of a time breastfeeding (see previous posts for context!) and in the past couple of months had finally started being comfortable with how it was going.

The last week though my (almost) 7 month old is SO distracted when feeding and I can't work out how distracted is normal. She'll latch and might suckle for a couple of minutes before pinging off, looking around, squealing or pushing my breast away, only to latch onto the other one and do the same thing! She barely ever feeds for more than 5 minutes now so I've been concerned that this will affect my supply - I can't work out if she's squealing or pushing me away because she's frustrated at my milk supply or slow letdown or it's all just an age thing and she's just super distracted.

Nappies are ok - vary in heaviness throughout the day but always wet, and she's generally a happy and content little baby who's loving her food now she's started weaning.

Guess I'm looking for some reassurance on whether all this is normal and it will pass or if I need to introduce some formula to make sure shes getting what she needs (after nearly 3 months of exclusively pumping I won't be doing that again so would rather go for formula if I have to)

Thanks

Should say also that she barely ever asks to be fed - I just offer often to see if she'll take it!

Normal for this age unfortunately- the world is far too interesting to look at. 5 minute feeds I wouldn't worry about too much, as they get more efficient at feeding and your supply is greater. What can be an absolute ballache is reverse cycling - when they feed at night to make up for not feeding in the day. It makes sense - it's all dark and boring, they're sleepy so cosy milk cuddles are great at that time. Not so great for you being woken up all the bloody time...

Ways to resolve it - keep offering in the day, especially when you know they're likely to be hungry, and take to a darkened boring room to feed. Make the milk the most interesting thing on offer, and this may hopefully extend the feed time too so they're getting their calories in during the day. I wouldn't bother with formula if I were you, just try to minimise distractions. It is so annoying though, I feel your pain!

My four month old is very similar. Holding her hand and maintaining eye contact helps, or feeding in a dark, familiar room. It is a pain though!

Thanks both for your replies! So good to know it's normal, even if it is frustrating 🤣

Out of interest did you find that your babies settled down again or is distracted feeding the norm from now on??

It did settle down, although I can't remember exactly when... I'm sure it was better by 12 months, but it was probably before then. Memory faded!

Mine has been going through phases. She was super distracted two weeks ago but this week has been OK!