Breast feeding a 7 month old? Keeping focused on feeding?

Question

Hi.

My son has been on Solids since he was 16 weeks he is now 32 weeks and he eats very well I have recently cut out his feeds with meals as he eats plenty. I still BF him when he wakes at 7am - Then Breakfast 8am and then I BF again at 10:30 he has lunch at 12:30-13:00 then BF him again at 15:00 Dinner is at 6pm then bath and BF at 7:15 then he goes to bed.

My question is how do I keep him interested in the 10:30 feed and 15:00 feed?

He is hungry but goes on and off the breast wriggling around even with no radio or tv on he just wriggles and stops and pulls himself up to look out windows or anything else.

Also how do you Hold them I've tried all different positions but he is so long he just kicks and wiggles. If I bottle feed him he stays focus until the bottle is finished and I know my breast still has a very good flow going.. any ideas mums?

Thanks

Pamela

Answer 1

It gets tougher as they get older. My son is 11 months old and is so distracted all the time! I always try to nurse him with the windows shut, in the same room everytime (which doesn't happen), no tv, no radio, and I always shut the door so my husband and/or company know not to come in or knock. I also rock in the rocking chair to help him calm down and constantly poke at his cheek so he's always reminded of the task at hand. You might try nursing him before his lunch to see if that helps. I know a few ladies who have simply altered what time they feed and suddenly their little ones are able to focus on the task at hand. Best of luck!

Answer 2

No, there is no need for you to cut back on solids, the whole point is that you are weaning them away from milk!  My problem is even worse because my son only wants breast milk first thing in the morning and at 4pm!  He also is disturbed by any sound whatsoever and consistently squirms around.  I have just come to except that my baby does not want these feeds and will take then when he needs them.  I'm not going to cut back on solids as he gets hungry.  Sorry I haven't been much help but I know exactly what you are going through!!

Answer 3

Usually lack of interest is because of lack of hunger...

I'd just keep doing what your doing, because as long as you both enjoy it, it is still bonding and closeness that you share

Answer 4

4 nursing sessions is pretty low for a 7 month old, and 3 meals of solids is a lot.

He's probably not wanting to breastfeed both because this is a very distractable age, AND because he's full with solids, and so isn't hungry for his milk. (And then your supply drops, so he gets less milk when he does nurse)  Since all he needs at this age is milk, I would cut WAYYY back on his solids (or stop them entirely for a few weeks) so  he'll be hungry enough to want to nurse. And no bottles.  If he knows he can get the bottle by waiting/fussing, he'll wait/ fuss until you give the bottle.

Once he is nursing well again, add solids back in, but be sure to nurse at every 'meal' and offer solids only after he's had a good nursing session. He really does still need the fluids and nutrients in breastmilk -- solids are not a suitable substitute.

EDIT:  THe more I hear advice given by health visitors, the more convinced I am that they all got their certification 50 years ago,  and most seem to know less than nothing about breastfeeding.  You do NOT want to be cutting back on milk at this age.  Starting solids at 4 months is quite early anyway, and they are just supplements to his milk until he's 9-12 months old.  He needs milk. He doesn't need solids.

If you opt to continue what you are doing, be aware that baby may well end up self-weaning within a few weeks, (as you dry up and he refuses to nurse any longer)  and you'll then have to either pump and bottle feed for every milk feeding, or wean to formula. (He needs breastmilk or formula until at least 12 months.)

Answer 5

It sounds to me that he's just not real hungry at those times, as he has eaten at 8am and 12:30-13:00. He's still somewhat full and would rather play. Maybe the bottle is just something new? and he's curious.