Random Questions for Breastfeeding Mama's

[kittyriot]

So the last month and a half approx, LO has been pushing my face so that I can't look at her while nursing. Once my head is appropriately turned she will focus on her task. Being a FTM I just thought it was funny and cute. But upon further reflection I thought it might a sign of wanting to wean and to have more control around liquid intake. Anyhow, I was curious if a) anyone else is experiencing this and b) if any STM+ have any thoughts or advice around this mildly entertaining activity of wee one?

[footloose]

Hmmm, I'm not sure, but DD does play a lot with my face while nursing. she pushes my lips and shoves her fingers in my mouth and rips my lips. Also enjoys just hitting her arm on my neck and chest. I have just been thinking that she likes controlling her environment.

[becole]

DS moves my face but it's so he can touch my ear or earrings. Or hair if it's too far to reach. May not be the same as your issue though.

[athn64]

DD likes to shush me by putting her hand to my mouth when I'm talking to her. She doesn't really look at me, so much as look all around the room, and prefers positions where she can just hug the boob.

I'm with footloose in the controlling the environment thing. I'm not sure about weaning...

[kittyriot]

I think you all may be right. She is saucy and while I love her spirit, she definitely already knows her mind and knows she wants to be in control. Ummm...I kinda have myself to blame for her coming by that naturally.

Also, most times she does this, she settles once I stop looking at her. But every once in a while, she just wants to play with my earrings. So I think part of it is sometimes that...

[SpinsOffResonance]

DD doesn't do that. But I can't nurse if DH is in the room. She just keeps turning her head to smile at him. We have to go hide in the bedroom to get her to eat.

[activebaby]

I don't have an answer, but can share my LO will pull my hair, reach inside my mouth (I think he likes touching my permanent bottom retainer - on inside of my teeth - I realize this is gross), push/smack/claw my face. Also like SpinsOffResonance turns around at every distraction, esp DH.
I suppose I am just agreeing with the group.

[ns1]

My kid doesn't do that but will basically not eat more than necessary during the day. He'll just crane his head all over and sit up to see what's going on. Our solution - per DS - is to feed at night when there is no excitement.

[comicSans]

We've got the same distractible issues as everyone else - oh, Dad's over there? Hi Dad! Wave wave wave - while milk sprays her in the ear. Now she's practicing sitting up too - sip sip, sit up, dive bomb, sip sip, situp...

I'd say as long as she's not refusing, just keep doing what works.

[haykay13]

activebaby DS is obsessed with my permanent retainer! He like gets his nails under it to get a good grip and pulls my jaw down haha I try to keep my mouth shut while he's nursing but he slips his fingers through my lips to try to grab it anyways.

[haykay13]

kittyriot I would say your LO is behaving normally. DS does all kinds of crazy stuff while nursing and is very distractable unless he is super hungry. He grabs my hand and will put it where he wants it to be while nursing, messes with my teeth, taps (read slaps) my chest, and kicks my arm. I don't think it's related to self weaning.
Also like PP said, on DH's days off we have to leave the room to nurse or else he is constantly unlatching to check on what dad is doing.

[junebug060609]

My thoughts as a STM: Kids are strange. They do all sorts of silly things, and while nursing is no exception. My DD's latest thing is to put her foot in my face as she nurses. Lovely. Better than her finger up my nose at least. 

FWIW, when DS self-weaned (in retrospect I realize it was due to teething pain at ~11 mos), it wasn't him playing that was my clue...it was that he never wanted to be on the boob.  He'd not stay latched, have no interest, etc.  Basically it hurt so he'd nurse less and less very gradually...and my supply tanked before I realized what was happening.

[yogasailmomma]

I can't look my dd in the face when trying to nurse her. If she evens sees me looking at her then her hands are in my mouth/up my nose and there is not chance of her either napping or finishing the task. TBH she nurses best in the carrier during our two long walks a day. And then only with the hood up, otherwise she's popping off and looking around!

I think every baby is so different and if she was self weaning you would notice a supply difference. It's pretty normal for them to be super distracted at this age and also to want to gain some kind of control