Baby only feeds lying down

[helvetica01]

I started a 'bad' habit with DD (4 months) a while ago, where I feed her lying down before each nap and before bed. Now she refuses to feed any other way. When I try to put her in the cradle hold for a feed, she screams, even when she's hungry. I've had to lie down to feed in a public park recently, which was the final straw.

Any suggestions on how to break this? She won't go to sleep any other way so I realistically won't be able to stop feeding her lying down before each nap.

Anyone?

I used to feed dd lying down most of the time in the early months, but she could be coaxed to feed in a cradle hold as we have a very deep sofa so if you sit back it's almost like lying down. Could you maybe try gradually slipping your arm under her while lying down until it is more of a cradle hold, but sideways with your knees up, then move to sitting. Or try somewhere where you can sit back further than normal, prop yourself up on some pillows in bed at first perhaps?

Sorry I can't be of much help, a lot of the first year is just making it through the multiple difficult phases any way you can think of. She will grow out of it eventually!

Thank you @silkpyjamasallday that's really helpful :)

I had this with my DS. Lactation consultant worked out he preferred lying down as I had strong let down and a fast flow of milk, when lying down they can dribble some out whereas in cradle they have to cope with it. Do you think you might be the same? I worked it out with some pumping before feeding him to get past let down but it calmed down once he got better at controlling the flow, we had a lot of tears before that happened though, not ideal and awful in Starbucks where you can’t exactly lie on the floor!

@Rooneyrose I've been wondering that! She does dribble loads when we feed lying down, and I'm always leaking from one boob when she's eating from the other.

The only thing is she used to feed in the cradle hold effectively. But perhaps the fast letdown is a recent development. I'll try pumping first!

I developed a fast let down when my DS was around 2 months old and spent about most of the next month feeding lying down. I found the the breastfeeding network helpline helpful for identifying over supply and ideas on how to manage it. I managed to begin feeding in other positions again with a combination of managing my supply, deep sofas while using the rugby hold and feeding in the bath and sitting up gradually (I think we were both more relaxed in the bath). By the time he was four and a half months, it was much much better. Good luck!

@EvadneLannis that's a good idea, I'll give the breastfeeding network a call and see what suggestions they have. Thank you!