Active Nursing

Kaida's right. He's growing and will just wiggle and squirm...just be happy his teeth aren't in yet, lol. I don't believe it has anything to do with the breast being empty. It might be helpful to be in a quiet room. When they are little they don't get distracted as much but as they grow they want to be in the middle of the excitement.

Hope this helps!

M.

He is at the age where he is learning new things, like sitting up, and just becoming more active. His mind is probably going a mile a minute and he just wants to play. No way to really stop it, just going to have to nurse him as much as you can, when you can. And probably have to nurse more often, just in smaller time increments. Dont worry about him not getting enough to eat, he will eat when he is hungry.

You have a really IGNORANT Doctor and if possible - I'd not go back to someone who is so willing to give you not only bad advice, but wrong advice.

They are wriggling because they can now. They've learned a lot of new physical milestones and want to try it out! All the time!! It's normal.

The distraction and movement phase doesn't stop until about 3 years old - if you choose to continue thru it. Many Moms quit because they don't feel like doing it anymore, are afraid of biting (which is 100% able to be stopped!), or think that baby is too old.

Best thing to try is to nurse in shorter intervals, so he has more times to nurse. Also try being in a quiet and dim room - less movement and stimulation from environment is better.

Been there - my son started to calm down a bit around age 1. He is still an active nurser, but is able to nurse with fewer distractions now. I use to give him something to hold onto, like small towels. He would often sling them over his head like a lasso, but it did help. I tried nursing necklaces, and they also helped for a short window of time. I limited the distractions by going to a quiet, darkened place. I was allowed a little more freedom after he turned 1 (like being able to nurse him in the car or at a friend's house).

My daughter was easily stimulated, so I had to start nursing her in a dim room from about 4.5 months on. It was rough for a bit, but seemed to help her...and we made it till 14 months. That being said...I do agree that breasts are never empty. However! your flow could be a little slow for your son now. My daughter would squirm until a let down and then once it came, she would settle until the flow slowed down. You might try pumping to increase your supply and therefore your flow. You might also try compression of the breast (as in Jack Newman's book, Ultimate Breastfeeding Guide). You cup your hand around your breast in a "C" shape and compress the breast (not really hard), but enough to get the flow to increase. If that helps him to settle, then you could pursue the increasing your supply route. If you want to nurse for a while longer, I would highly recommend seeing a good lactation consultant. Whenever I saw one with my daughter, it really did help and reduced my stress! In fact, I am seeing one tomorrow for my 6 week old son for some help. Whatever you do, don't stop because he's squirmy. Seek help first. You'll be surprised at the suggestions and advice they have. (I know I thought that there couldn't possibly be a solution, but there always was.) Good for you for reaching out and good luck!

I just wanted to add my 2 cents. I nursed 4 kids and this is Totally normal. =) Just find a quiet place and good luck!

lol well its hard but once kids gain their independence, thats it your in for it LOL
They are gaining their new abilities and showing off, mine did that and as long as they are nursing they are good.

Completely normal. That is a very odd thing your doctor said. I've never heard that nor have I found it to be true. They're learning that they can move around and practice at every opportunity..including when they eat. All 3 of mine did it all the time. You should see the acrobatics of my almost 18 month old! I swear she's a contortionist LOL One of my favorite pictures of her about the same age she's nursing and stroking her cheek with her toes..just because she can. She nursed like that all the time for a while there. Try wearing a chunky necklace, small plush toy, blankie etc he can fondle and fidget with to give his hands something to do besides wave around. They do outgrow most of it and as they get older you can ask them to stop better.

Acid reflux. Look into your diet and take out milk, soy and citrus products and see if that makes a difference in a few days.

The doctor said the "breast is empty?" Seriously???? I'd change doctors!

With that said, babies move and wiggle. My second daughter constantly moved around while nursing. 6 months is an age of curiosity. A lot of times my daughter would be nursing and turn her head while still latched on to see who walked into the room. Annoying yes but some babies do this. You say you've been actively nursing so I doubt it's a supply issue. It could be be that he is just distracted. Try going into a quiet room (turn off the TV, radio...) or try lying down with him and nurse him, especially since he falls asleep. I always massaged my baby's head while nursing. It is very soothing and relaxing for some babies. If you are still concerned, I'd contact a lactation specialist.

My DD does this... she's 6.5 months. Sometimes, lifting her back end up so she laying completely vertical fixes it. Sometimes, putting her in my lap so she is in a sitting position fixes it. Going to the side-lying position, switching sides, etc. It also helps to have something for them to fidget with. I just hook a plastic loop to my bra, and sometimes that keeps her entertained enough. I always figure that she is bored... after all, babies have a very short attention span; and it takes a while to fill that little stomach up!

My girls never did this....sure if someone would talk they might stop and listen but they never wiggled all around when eating. I could nurse them in a room full of people and they would totally ignore them. But when anyone was around I covered them with a blanket so everyone couldn't see me nursing. That was my way of nursing from day one. If anyone was in the room they were covered. Sorry I can't help but like I said...I don't consider this normal becuase my girls never did this.

Wow your pediatrician is evidentally not very well versed in breastfeeding information!!! This is perfectly NORMAL for a 6 month old...they are at the age where they are discovering their mobility and starting to realize that they can effect the world through movement!!! Go online and find a nursing necklace, in fact I think it was one of the "deals" offered here on Mamapedia just in the last day or so. It is something that he can "fiddle" with while he is nursing. As he gets a little older expect him to start pulling your hair, ear rings, exploring your mouth and face....he isn't going to just lay there quietly like he did as a newborn and nurse until he is full or asleep.
Find a La leche league meeting to attend and see how other little ones of that age are acting as they nurse at the meetings and it will immediately put your mind at ease.
My oldest daughter is still nursing her 3 year old son and when he was about 18 months old she laughed about the "Nursing Olympics" that they had going on....it was just constant motion as he ate. My other daughter has a son who is 11 months old...he now likes to stand and nurse....not so bad at home but definitely an issue when you want to be a little more "discreet" in public....lol.

I just want to add my voice to the moms who have already answered. It is perfectly normal!!! I usually found that a quiet room and just holding my kids' hands helped. Of course, I usually nursed them to sleep, so that helped too. Routine, a quiet room, making sure that they really wanted to nurse--and I always wanted to try a nursing necklace. I had my fingers, clothes and face explored instead :-)

Breasts are never empty, though!