Babies: 0 - 3 Months

Lazy eater

LO is 6.5 weeks and a really lazy eater. I'm talking super lazy. She'll eat for a couple minutes, come off and not want to get back on. I burp her, change her if needed, and keep trying to feed her. But she just wants to dilly dally at the boob!

She's EBF and has had a few bottles with no problem. She'll eat nonstop from the bottle and finish within 15-20 minutes.

If she's really tired and hungry she can drain a boob in 10-15 minutes. But it's so rare that she does this. I don't really mind, unless I have to nurse her in public and she's feeling lazy.

Anyone have any experience with their own lazy little eaters? Am I doing something wrong or not doing something I should be doing?

Re: Lazy eater

  • I didn't mean to sound like I was complaining. I love spending that time with her. Just more curious as to how normal this is. I read so often about how other LOs eat for 15 min, then play for however long etc. And it seems like K eats, plays, eats, sleeps, eats, sleeps all within an hour. So I don't know if it's me that's doing something wrong??
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  • OP I'm experiencing the exact same thing with DD2 (7wks)! She's more of a "grazer", she eats a little then stops, eats a little then falls asleep..this happens over and over again. Then other times she eats a ton, emptying a full boob (she usually nurses at one side each feeding). I change her, try stimulating her, switch sides and positions, and nothing works. I've learned to just relax and go with the flow, if she's hungry enough she'll eat! She's well above her birth weight and has more than enough wet/poopy diapers each day. I know it can be stressful but try not to worry too much.

    As pp mentioned, breastfeeding is hard work, especially when baby keeps throwing curve balls! Just try to enjoy every moment, before you know it she'll be a toddler. DD1 is already 17 months and I still can't wrap my head around how fast this past year and a half has gone, sometimes I wish she was still my little, snugly baby! GL!

    ETA: It could be that she's going through a growth spurt or having a wonder week, which could be making her feeding more erratic.
  • My lo is occasionally a lazy eater. I find either undressing her to get her uncomfortable works or doing skin to skin while she eats by taking my top off too helps. But I'm a ftm and just learning too. Hopefully these help! Stick with it!
  • I find doing breast compressions when the swallows start to slow help to keep my LO going. You can try that next feed after the initial feed starts to dwindle..hopefully you know what to listen for to know when to start.
  • My two week old is sometimes lazy too. Definitely strip her down, lightly tickle her side, blow on her face, etc.  The LC at the hospital also showed me the "chicken wing" where you grab their elbow and work it up and down kind of like a water pump. I've also find it helps to slightly shift the position of his cheek against the boob so he feels like he might lose it. You can even use a damp washcloth to kind of dab at her face and chest to keep her awake. Hope yours gets better!
      


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