Nearly 6 month old - will only feed with eye contact and singing!!

[SirBoobAlot]

Now I enjoy singing, but am going slowly mad. Have tried every position known to man, he is just not having any of it. Screeching and arching his back unless I sing to him whilst attaching - and throughout the whole feed.

Please help

My DD is the same when having solids and singing helps with BF. she likes having a toy in her hand that she bashes against me as she feeds at least it's better than singing!

My DD isn't as bad but very distractable until I got a sling! I've bought it for holiday but had a little practice with it tonight and DD had the best feed she has for ages - it snuggles her right up and in the right position IYSWIM.

He just threw himself back so violently he banged his head on the floor

He's too heavy for me to use a sling now - I have ME and problems with my back. Glad it worked for you though, popspig

Am getting so frustrated, and also a little concerned as he just is not taking in much milk during the day The solid feeding is going well, but the BF is now something I actually dread doing.

That sounds really hard to deal with and no wonder you are frustrated. I think that in your situation I would be at my wits end - well done for coping! My DS used to have the odd day when he needed constant entertaining during a feed and I sometimes used the propped-up-sideways-in-front-of-cbeebies position for breastfeeding. It worked brilliantly for me when I was feeling tired - although it is no doubt shockingly bad parenting to rely so heavily on the TV at such a tender age!

It might be that the national breastfeeding helpline could give you more constructive advice (tel: 0300 100 0212) - hope this helps...

sirboobalot mine's the same and is catching up at night

sleeps well and its done in ten minutes but it is two/three times a night.

i can only feed him before naps (although he doesn't fall asleep anymore - i have to settle him - goodbye to the magic bullet!) after naps and before bed. sometimes he will settle with a toy, singing etc but often arches away and he has also banged his head on the chair arm .

he is 7mo.

Its really making me feel like I've screwed up and is getting me down - aside from colic and your average cracked / bleeding nipples at the very start, the feeding has been going really well until now

ah don't think like that - you've done brilliantly to get this far, particularly with the ME.

don't sweat it,literally! he will take what he needs - sometimes its worth just sitting back and trusting they know what they are doing. bfing is such an unknown quantity anyway so just try and go with it!

i know its hard though and can be worrying. i was the same the other day when he didn't have anything but water and toast for 5 hours!!! i knew he must have been hungry but simply refused.

i think the worst thing to do is try and push it - it'll get you both in a tizz!

hth!

Thanks Ruby - sorry you're dealing with the same. He has been slightly better just now (thank goodness) and have been giving him a bit of water every now and again as he seems a little dehydrated.

Will try and chill!!

Hello Boobs and Ruby - mine's the same. I've been getting really cross and it's silly

DS is also crap with water - how can you tell if they're dehydrated??

I generally go by the fontanelle. If its sunken its a sign of dehydration. Also, few / no tears, dry mouth, less wet nappies, rapid breathing and drowsiness.

We should start a club