breastfeeding and bonding.question

my 5 month old dd just started looking up at me while nursing, so now i'm trying to not do other things (like read, surf mdc) during that time. before that, she was all about the boob and seemed like she barely came up for air as she gulped away . now she just started with the 'distractable' nursing and will turn to look if there's a noise, which has been fun for me to nip . it is so sweet when she pops off and looks at me and smiles, my heart just melts and i try to imprint the moment in my mind so that i can remember these tender moments forever.

I admit, I didn't constantly gaze at my babe....especially those first couple of months when he'd be on there 5 hours srtraight sometimes (frustrating!).

But now that he's 4 mos. and actually interested in looking at me and around at things I find myself falling even more in love and appreciating a good staring session

It still depends on how I'm feeling and how he's feeling....there's no point in trying to MAKE yourself look lovingly into their eyes if you're not 100% into it (lets face it, there are things to do and sometimes nursing's the only time you get to do them. THere are plenty of chances throughout the day to gaze at and show love, it doesn't have to be while nursing) and sometimes i stare at him while he decides to look around the room instead and that's okay!

LOL, I call myself a "boob propper" like those people who prop their babies bottles and go about their business. I pop her on and go about my business reading message boards, playing online poker, watching tv, etc. Sometimes I feel a tad guilty, but I remind myself that at least she is next to my warm body and I can look down occassionally and rub her feet or head. Quite different than a bottle propper in the other room doing dishes.

Quote:
Honey, you've got 18 years at least ahead of you - you've got to ration the guilt out, not use it all up in the first few months. Not to mention - soon, when they want you to look at them, they'll let you know it!

i read often when im nursing..but now she grabs at the book and its hard for me to read

My experience: in the early months DS just wanted to close his eyes and relax while nursing most of the time. And I got bored! I couldn't stand sitting there doing nothing. So, I got in the habit of watching recorded shows while I nurse. It's funny because I was so against watching tv before I had DS. But I got so bored while nursing and was too tired to really concentrate on reading. So, I watched a lot of tv. Mostly educational stuff and I fast forwarded through the commercials, so I don't feel too bad.

Now that he's older he's very distractable. I've found that if I do look at him while nursing he gets too excited and won't take much milk. Plus he gets distracted and accidentally hurts me with his teeth. So, I try to just leave him alone so he'll nurse. He's quick at it now, so I might watch 10 minutes of tv while he gulps. (no reading now because he'd steal my book! ) And when he's done he's very happy and loving. Gives lots of hugs and kisses. So, he gets his snuggly relaxing time while he nurses and then lots of close interaction right afterwards.

I don't think that me doing other things while nursing has prevented us from bonding. Not at all! DS and I get closer every day!