Feeding your distractible baby

Babies start to become aware of their environment around 4 to 6 months of age. Everyday noise from your phone, television, people in the room and pets may cause them to keep coming off the breast. 

Your baby may turn their head away while feeding, with or without detaching from the breast. Or they may spend the feed coming on and off the breast. This change in your baby’s breastfeeding behaviour can be challenging.

However, this is quite normal and a part of your baby learning about their world. 

Here are some ideas to help your baby to keep focused on feeding. 

• Your baby may feed better in a quiet room away from distractions from other people and noise.  

• A masking noise with soft music, the hum of a fan in the room or a similar low noise may help. 

• Some mums find it helpful to feed with baby facing a blank wall. 

• If you have been used to doing something while your baby feeds, you may find that no longer works. You may need to stop doing this for a while if it is distracting your baby.
• Your baby may feed better at night when everything is quiet and more relaxed.
• If you have a toddler, it may be helpful to have books or toys to keep them busy while you feed your baby.