Toddler Times - BF gymnastics

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BF gymnastics

Printed From: OHbaby!
Category: Have A Baby?
Forum Name: Toddler Times
Forum Description: Is bubs growing up and getting into everything? How do you train them to use the potty? When do you start feeding solids? Share your tips and advice here!
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Topic: BF gymnastics

Posted By: E&L+1
Subject: BF gymnastics
Date Posted: 14 October 2010 at 8:41am

My almost 11.5 month old has started being a gymnast for her daytime feeds. She'll latch on nicely then she will wriggle so that she's sitting up, then gets up on to her feet, spins round to football hold then back and so on all while latched on. Then she'll pop off and have a quick look around then dive back on and have some more.

Anyone had this before? If so any tips? I've tried holding onto her firmly but she gets frustrated and upset. It only bothers me when we are out as I have to feed her standing up as her antics make it super obvious what we are doing and then I get exposed to the world and occasionally she doesn't let go properly when she pops off so I get grazed by her teeth. I have no damage yet and she hasn't bitten me so I am lucky in that respect. It is rather funny watching her. At LLL yesterday the other mums had a bit of a giggle

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Replies:

Posted By: MrsMojo
Date Posted: 14 October 2010 at 8:48am

I have a contortionist too. He's usually still initially so I figure he's taking in the majority of his feed then so when his moving about gets too much for me I stick my finger in and withdraw my nipple. He's usually fairly happy to wander off and play after that but if he's not I offer it again but the minute he starts moving withdraw it.

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Posted By: Flutterby
Date Posted: 14 October 2010 at 9:11am

DS started doing that when he was 8mths. I realised that he didn't like having his back turned on the world and didn't want to miss out on anything. So I just ended up FF during the day and only feeding during the night for a month or so before I weaned him totally.

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Posted By: Bizzy
Date Posted: 14 October 2010 at 10:02am

teehee i had a wriggler too.. so funny.

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Posted By: weegee
Date Posted: 14 October 2010 at 10:59am

It's a phase, it will pass - no need to wean them because of it

There's a great page on kellymom about http://www.kellymom.com/bf/older-baby/nursing-manners.html - nursing manners

For me simply 'teaching' JJ to play with my long hair while feeding fixed the 'problem', a nursing necklace might do the trick. If I had my time over I'd introduce a nursing necklace I think, because JJ gets REALLY antsy if he's feeding and can't play with my hair (eg if I have it any other way than in a long plait or ponytail), although I suppose it's handy because it's pretty much always there

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Mum to JJ, 4 July 2008 & Addie, 28 July 2010

Posted By: weegee
Date Posted: 14 October 2010 at 11:01am

kellymom wrote:

Acrobatic breastfeeding is typical and it's common for baby to try breastfeeding upside down, with feet in the air, standing on one foot, wiggling and twisting and turning, and so on. Enjoy the silly positions they try, be flexible and patient, but if the acrobatic breastfeeding gets to be a problem, here are tips that have helped other moms:

* Give it a little time. Exhibits of the most intense acrobats are generally a phase that shows up when baby figures out that she can nurse in a million different positions and, what's more, it's fun to try. The novelty will wear off after a little time and the acrobatics will decrease.
* Give baby something to hold and play with while nursing (a small toy, perhaps). Some moms also wear a nursing necklace to focus baby's attention on something other than acrobatics.
* Try talking or reading a book to your child while you nurse. Songs or fingerplays can also help.
* Try a firm reprimand. Say something like "Be still" in a firm voice; don't raise your voice, as you don't want to scare baby. You might also hug baby close to you to reiterate the point.
* Try stopping the feeding if baby continues with the acrobatics. Say something like "I can't nurse you when you're squirmy. Let's go play and get the wiggles out and we will nurse in a little while." Then play for a few minutes before offering to nurse again.
* Another version of stopping the feeding: Warn baby that if she doesn't be still, mommy's not going to nurse. And then stop the feeding if she persists. Get up, put her down, and explain to her again why you stopped nursing. Tell her that if and when she can be more still, mommy will nurse again.
* Breastfeeding in public is sometimes a problem when baby is really wiggly. If the acrobatics are too much for breastfeeding in public, try to breastfeed before leaving and tell baby that you'll nurse as soon as you get home, to the car, etc. (delaying breastfeeding like this works better when baby is over 18 months and is not overtired). If baby needs something (and will not settle down for nursing) you might offer a snack or a little something from a cup while you're out.

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Mum to JJ, 4 July 2008 & Addie, 28 July 2010

Posted By: E&L+1
Date Posted: 14 October 2010 at 12:27pm

Thanks weegee, no plans on weaning any time soon here. I've tried taking her off but she just gets upset. Hopefully she'll get over it soon!

Bizzy I see the funny side of it so do have a little giggle during the feeds she does this.

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Posted By: High9
Date Posted: 14 October 2010 at 12:53pm

Lily has been doing this and it drives me batty but we persist! She'll go from cradle hold to sitting and then football hold and back again!

ETA: She gets quite upset when I take her off to reposition so just let her do her thing... She also gets upset if I giggle at her or hold her still!

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Posted By: Emmecat
Date Posted: 17 October 2010 at 3:38pm

lol *raises hand* I have a budding gymnist here

Normally one of Clodagh's fav positions is straddling me, facing me and I lift my boob up like a bottle or something hehe. I don't mind doing that for day feeds BUT for the evening feed, I insist she lays down on my lap and takes it that way. I take her off if she's being silly...and at her age it IS being silly and excited! Luckily she's normally so tired by bedtime she is very happy to lay there and have milkies before byes time

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