I don't think I know how to BF an older baby...

[anjsmama]

DD turned 6 months yesterday. DS only nursed until 4 months (long backstory). Anyway, I'm already 2 months past my experience level and I'm starting to feel like I don't know what I'm doing.... 

DD recently changed her feeding pattern and is going longer between feedings. I am adjusting and accepting that perhaps my baby is actually growing older . But now we seem to be struggling at feedings because we're in each other's way... she's so heavy and strong and long (19.5 lb, 26 inches), and her feet run into my legs and she kicks and squirms and I just don't think she's comfy being held like a little newborn - we just use cradle hold and she constantly seems to be trying to do a sit-up. She wants to look around. Nap time & bed time she nurses side-lying and she likes that. But I think we need to figure out a different style for daytime nursing as she's getting older..? Help me please!

[teraze]

I think it's the age.  :)  At six months, when we would lay down to nurse my DS would roll away from my breast and back, then roll away from my breast and back, etc., etc., etc.  So frustrating!  He doesn't do that any more (he's almost 9 months) although he does loooove to play with my face.  

Like you, we lay for naps and for bed, but for other times we do a sort cradle hold where I hold my babe's back and then he just sort of does the rest.  I know that's not specific and therefore likely unhelpful...maybe some of the other mamas will have something cool we can both learn!  

[Hesperia]

Can you try nursing in a tummy to tummy hold in a carrier? If similar to the Ergo/Boba just let down the straps until she's at the right height. Moving and upright often helpful at this age and the carrier helps hold her in

Also. She only gets a day older each day. So just focus on how to make breastfeeding her most comfortable for you both, one day at a time. You know how to nurse your baby just might me time to try something new or get used to the more wriggliness they aquire.


Ease exhaust any typos, set from my itouch.

[SilverFish]

sounds like the age to me! 

for us, a quiet dark room whenever possible was a big help. i also broke out the boppy again after not using it for a few months because i needed extra support for her honkin' big head and long legs. i tried really hard to stay patient and detached from trying to get her to eat, if you know what i mean. i felt like i was losing my mind when she was wanting to be up and everywhere and constantly relatching.

my number one tip though was to use a big muslin blanket (a+a) to kind of swaddle her arms and legs, and use my forearm to trap her legs underneath. keeping her hands under the blanket and away from my face/boobs/tummy/glasses made a big difference during that stage! 

[Marissamom]

I lay baby across my lap and hold their head in the crook of my arm as they get older. like the picture in this article http://news.softpedia.com/news/Mothers-with-High-BMIs-Not-Able-to-Breastfeed-35860.shtml

[Jewels*]

I sit my baby in my lap facing me - as if in a tummy to tummy hold, she's 1 yr and been doing this since about 6 mths or so! I wrap my arm around her and she leans her head onto my arm... makes for less kicking and squirming

[KempsMama]

I feel ya!  My 12 month old does summersaults while he's nursing.  Sometimes I can get him to stradle my tummy and nurse sitting up.  Other times I sit with one leg under me and let his legs dangle off my lap while his head rests on my knee.  Of course this only works because I have torpedo bewbs that stretch a foot or so.