what is going on with my baby?

[firstbaby]

DS is almost 4 months old and lately has been thrashing around and popping on and off while nursing. While he used to contently nurse for 15 minutes on one side total, he now pops on and off, and doesn't stop squirming. He also uses a fist to push against the breast he is nursing on. I have had a cold lately so I thought maybe my supply is down but he doesn't cry as he pops off. But, between the TWO sides he nurses on each time, he only nurses for a TOTAL of ten minutes. I feel like we're totally off right now and can't understand what is going on. Please help! TIA!

[JulieL]

Yeah it's pretty normal for a baby to start to get distracted at this age. As you've probably seen him get more aware of his suroundings, that includes nursing time as well. Try bfing with just you two in a room, or lights off, or soft music on or... like me, deal with it and count the days till your bf goal ;) Really it depends from baby to baby on how persistant they will keep this kind of nursing routine. My DD gets in like two good nursings a day, the other two it's a constant pop off and on, sit up, sit back until she's totally disinterested in nursing in that session. My goal is 12 months and we will get there, but it hasn't been a easy route, but remember it's the baby's nutrition that we are giving them!

edit: spelling

[MommyAllison]

I agree with Julie that it is probably totally normal! As they get older, they become more efficient and don't need to nurse as long to get the same amount of milk. They are also very distracted while nursing by anything. If you still feel like things are off in a week, check back in, but I am guessing this is your new normal :)

Allison
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[Wife_and_mommy]

Make sure you're drinking *tons* of water.


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[maestramommy]

heh, yeah. 4 months was when DD really started twisting and popping off. The session would end in 10 minutes, then an hour later she'd want to nurse again. I finally had to stop the nursing on demand and put her on a flex schedule. That is I set a goal in mind, and whenever she fussed I'd see whether she was really hungry by trying to distract her by playing with her, changing her, doing something active. If she settled down after that I knew she wasn't REALLY hungry. But of course eventually she'd be really hungry and she'd let me know it. In this way I found her outside time interval. Her nursing session became much more focused and we settled into a routine. I know you're supposed to nurse on demand, but it was making me crazy and I think my supply was going down because she was never getting a full feeding. And she would take such short naps because she'd get hungry. Actually once we had the nursing routine down her naps got way longer.

[Kendra]

yep, definitely hit that wall at about 3-4 months. Used to nurse for 15 minutes 1st side, 10 the other. Then she started to see a little more distance and EVERYTHING was more exciting than milkies. Now at 10 months she nurses 5 min. one side, maybe 8, then 3-5 other side.

Also as they get more "experienced" they can get more efficient at "milking" you so it doesn't take as long.