Barb? Anyone else? Help with 13mnth pulling back on the breast.

DD (13 months) has been mucking around a lot on the boob lately - popping on and off, making noises, blowing raspberries and stopping to have a little twiddle with her fingers (which makes me SQUIRM!!)... so I'm not sure if this is just another play / experimentation behaviour. In the last week she won't relax close to the breast as she's feeding, she latches on and then pulls her head back so my nipple is stretched out. If I try and push her toward the boob or re-position she resists and the few times that I've persisted, she's been upset.

Is there something else that could be causing this? Different taste, flow-rate...??? I'm keen to address it if I can as it's REALLY uncomfortable and is making feeding less than pleasant.

TIA

have you thought of getting one of those breastfeeding necklaces to keep her occupied? sounds like she's playing around a bit and being silly and needs something to keep her focussed on the job.

Try the old techniques as you would for a distracted baby. So feed in a quiet darkened room, with little stimulation. That might help. This also might be her way of telling you she's not really very hungry and is more after comfort and attention, which you can give without the breast if she's being a monkey! :D Tell her if it hurts and put her down (as you would for biting). It won't hurt her to learn some bfing manners. ;)

Hi,

sounds like normal 13mnth old behaviour. It's all part of breastfeeding an older toddler. As Jennifer says, she can learn some manners at the breast. "Twiddling" is a boredom buster and can help the milk let down faster. But if you don't like it a gentle "No" is OK and put your hand over hers to stop her. As Ginger says, beads can be helpful in distracting.

OP, I have this same problem with my 11week old DD. It is annoying and can be painfull. I know what you are going through and wish I could offer advice, but sadly, I dont have any. My DD has pulled back that far a couple of times that she has tore my nipple at the base and made it very tender. Hope you find something that works. I just have to persist with correcting her and when she dont stop taking her off and putting boobie away till she ready to be nice.