EBF baby won't feed in public- help!

jenp1228

My almost 5 mo is an incredibly good eater/sleeper. The only problem is, she does not feed well while out in public, or even in our main family room where the lights are on, toddler is playing, etc. I feel like I'm constantly taking her upstairs to nurse her in the quiet of her room, which leaves my toddler alone and is very isolating. I plan to BF for a year, and don't think I can keep this up. Has anyone else had this problem and transitioned your "sensitive feeder" to nursing in a more social environment? TIA!

hs & js baby #1

Have you tried using a nursing cover?  Maybe if you start using it at home, then your LO will be used to it while out in public?

Stacyc625

My #2 was like that- it was rough. Also he absolutely REFUSED a nursing cover. He wanted NOTHING to do with being covered. He hated it.

Honestly- I know what you mean about isolating- however really just try to take it for what it is- because truly this is one of hte VERY VERY VERY few times you will ever have alone with #2. (I know) Esp as they get older. So just try to roll with it.

Only other suggestion I have is to pick the meal that your baby is HUNGRIEST and try nursing in a more distracting setting (vs the quiet dim room)

That suggestion never worked for us- he never got a hold of nursing in a social environment- which made it VERY difficult when I wanted to take #1 to an event/outing.

sometimesalwayschaotic

My DD would get horribly distracted when out and about.  We could nurse in the car.

je2161

DD also hates the nursing cover, but will tolerate it enough when she is very hungry. She gets very distracted when there are people around during a nursing session. When we are at the mall, we head to Nordstrom for feedings because they have a Woman's Lounge, with a separate baby-care section for changing and feeding. It's usually very quiet in there and DD will nurse happily. If you can't find a Woman's Lounge, you could also try dressing rooms.

McAllie5

DS would NOT nurse with a cover, and he went through a phase right around 4-5 months where he got really distracted. If he started to nurse and kept popping off or pulling away (with me still in his mouth sometimes... ouch!) I would end the nursing session temporarily. I'd sit him on my lap facing out for a few minutes. It gave him a chance to see his surroundings and take things in before trying to nurse again.

Don't worry, chance are it'll be a phase that passes! I hear about a lot of women experiencing "distracted babies".  

ETA: The phase passed soon enough, and I was able to nurse DS in a busy-ish living room setting. He still does better in a quiet room or a car. And if someone comes into the room and starts talking he'll sometimes look up - but sometimes not. 

mrsrobinsontobe

it could be the age...google kellymom.com and look for the distracted 4month old.

kedrin cobb

My DD was the same way.  For me in the car was my best place.  Even there she would not be interested but I would just wait it out until she focused.  I will say I stayed close to home a lot for it.  For my DD it lasted and she didn't grow out of it.  But, I made it work and did my best.  Something that helped me was when I was out DD will not sleep so often by the time she was due to nurse she was SO tired she would sleep while she nursed (of coarse in the car).