quick clicks

babies today articles

babies today q&a

toddlers today articles

toddlers today q&a

breastfeed.com articles

breastfeed.com q&a

community & groups

research baby names

prepare a birth plan

content channels

ip channel rss feeds

read birth stories

read parenting stories

recommended books

e-newsletters

safety recalls

ip diaries

ip store

mom of the month

dad of the month

editor's letter

letters to the editor

Expert Q&A

	By Ann Calandro BSN, RNC, IBCLC Lactation Consultant

When my last baby was about 5 months old, he became very hard to nurse as he was always looking around, breaking suction, and generally becoming uninterested in feeding, until everything was all put away etc.. Looking back, I wish I would have tried harder to stay nursing because now that he's a year I wish I was still nursing him. I am now pregnant with my second child -- how can I avoid early weaning this time?

Most breastfed babies become very interested in the world around them at about 4 or 5 months of age. They are so very bright, and often are distracted from eating by other children, the TV, the dog barking, just about anything. It can be frustrating to mothers when they just get the baby settled and off he pops to look around! Some mothers have found that they need to take the baby out of the mainstream and limit distractions during feedings -- going to a quieter place, letting the baby hold a small toy while he feeds, and limiting stimulation. This usually works. You may find that you need to feed him more often and for shorter periods of time so that he has plenty of time to eat and also plenty of time to learn new things. The AAP recommends at least a year of nursing, so sometimes moms have to be creative with their inquisitive little ones!

Ann Calandro, RNC, IBCLC"

View more Q&A by this Expert