Breastfeeding a distracted baby hacks

Just when you feel like you’ve got the hang of this breastfeeding thing, bub starts to discover the world around you both and finds all of the things more interesting than breastfeeding! Now you’re struggling to breastfeed a distracted baby! Distracted feeding often starts around the 4 month mark and can be a tricky time making you feel super frustrated! You’re not alone, mumma.

Your baby may want to feed but only stay on for a minute or two before unlatching and turning away to look at something interesting behind them (leaving boob in full view of everyone in the room). Or they might start going longer stretches between breastfeeds but breastfeed a million times at night to make up for what they’ve missed while they were too busy exploring. So exhausting!

While these are really normal baby behaviours, there are a few hacks you can try to reduce your baby’s distraction and make life easier and more comfortable when bub is distracted when breastfeeding.

Distracted baby breastfeeding hack #1: Try wearing a breastfeeding necklace

Sometimes also called a teething necklace. The aim of these is to keep bub facing in towards the boobs instead of being interested in everything else and having you accidentally flash everyone in the room. They have big, chunky, food safe, silicone beads, usually in bright colours and different textures that most babies love to touch and play with.

Distracted baby breastfeeding hack #2: Breastfeed in a dark and quiet room where possible

Move away from as many distractions (things to look at and listen to) as possible. Breastfeed in a room that is dark with not much to look at and is quiet, with no one talking. Sometimes a quiet room makes noises and voices outside the room more noticeable. If this happens, you could try playing some quiet, soothing music to mask outside noises.

Distracted baby breastfeeding hack #3: Wear clothes that allow you to cover your breast quickly

If you know your baby tends to be distracted when breastfeeding, you might feel more comfortable breastfeeding when out and about if you wear clothes that let you cover your breast quickly if bub whips off to look at something. This way you don’t feel so exposed.

Distracted baby breastfeeding hack #4: Offer breastfeeds when sleepy – going to sleep or just waking

This is often handy for those babies who are just too busy exploring to breastfeed during the day but wake for feeds a million times a night. Sneak in extra feeds when your baby’s relaxed and sleepy to help them to get more milk during the day. Hopefully this will reduce night time feeds (no guarantees though, as waking for feeds is very normal even as bub reaches toddlerhood!). When bub is sleepy, they’re usually calmer and less fidgety, making it easier to breastfeed.

As frustrating as it can be when bub is distracted, remember this is a very normal part of their development and means they’re learning so much about their world, which is amazing!

If you’re worried your baby is so distracted that they’re not getting enough breastmilk, remember to watch for the signs they’re getting enough. You can read about those signs here. Still concerned? You might like to book an appointment with a lactation consultant who can help you with strategies specific to you and your baby’s situation. Book a home visit or online consultation with me below.