Lazy / Distracted Latch.

Well, we made it to 12 months this time around and words can't describe how elated I am to say I got 12 months of breastfeeding under my belt. Thanks to MantaRay and Jennifer13 for so, SOOO much support when my DS was a baby that even though I ceased feeding at 9 months, this time around I have often thought of you when felt like I was struggling!

DD is too impatient / busy to latch properly therefore I get irritated and take her off, and she then won't drink anymore, unless she gets it her way: which hurts. She won't lay or sit still and has to bob her head around everywhere not to mention trying to run away still clamped onto breast. She is also quite a "biter" with teething and my nipples have really had it. She doesn't bite per se (very rarely at least), but her latch has a definite grind to it like she is using me for relief and I am wearing thin on the patience front.

I daresay it is to do with being distracted by the outside world and look I don't think either of us would have a huge problem if she did wean, however, she does still like milk in the nighttime and as much as i am happy to replace her day feeds it is much easier to breastfeed at night, and I am not really ready to give it up completely.

She is still a boobie guts at home but we do substitute with a sippy of cows milk during the day at meal times at daycare (M-F).
I work at the centre so I go to her if she needs a breastfeed but most day she will do her day (9-5 for example) without me.
We give a bottle of cows at bedtime as it seems to settle her better for the night (unless she goes to bed immediately with us, but this occurs rarely as its too hard to get up again without waking her). I am happy sticking with this as she is finally taking more than a 3-4 hour stretch at night and this poor mummy appreciates the 6-7 hours in between.

I really just wanted to have a whinge but if there is any suggestions on how to correct a lazy / apathetic latch at this stage of feeding ??

Have you tried a dark room with no lights/distractions? Its the only suggestion I have... Though that probably works easier for littler ones who forget about the outside world quickly :lol:

I wouldn't worry too much about the day feeds & just feed her through the night. Mine were similar at that age & just weren't interested, but they picked up again later on.

And mine liked to try doing somersaults while attached as well :rolleyes: She's not needing to rely on it as much now as when she was little, so I wouldn't worry too much about it if she's happy enough through the day without.