Breastfeeding Infant/ Toddler Activities

Hello! Congrats on your new baby. I have a son that was 2 years 9 months when my daughter was born. I nursed too and it took about 1/2 hour or so most of the time. She also ate every 2 hours. When she was a newborn, I didn't really take her off unless I know she had fallen asleep.
As far as activities for my son----we played red light green light, where I would be nursing and tell him to stop when I said red and go when I said green (we have an open concept house). Also Simon Says (he didn't quite understand the concept at that age). I also had him sit on my legs (they were up on the rocking chair's foot stool) and read books. Those things seemed to work the best, I can't really think of too much more that we did.
My husband and I tried to think of everything possible I could do with my son and put them all on a list on a dry erase board on the fridge. That way if I needed something quick, I could look up there and see what would fit the situation. Hope this helps!

I'm currently pg with #3 but with #2, I'd let her finish one side to get the fatty hindmilk and then if she was still hungry, I'd switch sides. Usually at the end she was just sucking for comfort so I would take her off but that was only after I knew she was sleeping.

I always nursed on demand and didn't time the feedings but I do know that in the beginning I was feeding all the time. My 2nd was more efficient and quick at feeding and my first was slower and took her time.

I did find it hard to entertain my then 2 year old while I was feeding the baby so I did read her books a lot or watched a kiddie show. Other than that, I don't really have any advice as it is hard with the short attention span of a 2 year old. I'll be dealing with that again soon but this time maybe my oldest can help entertain her 2 year old sister while I feed the baby.

Good luck and I'd say just go with the flow on feedings.

Hi!
I have a four year old, three year old and ten week old at home with me. I single side feed and nurse for only 10 minutes after let down, every three hours during the day. My daughter started sleeping nine hours straight at night at nine weeks, and has gained over four pounds since birth. I kind of go by the eat, activity, sleep program. Once she is done eating, I play and involve my other two in diaper changing and clothing changing activities. I couldn't imagine nursing as long as you mentioned. I can see where it is difficult to keep your other one occupied for that long. Good luck!

At 8 weeks old I wouldn't pull an infant off the breast unless you know for sure that he's asleep and NOT getting any nutrition. Your baby is still establishing his milk supply and by cutting that off you could be causing yourself some trouble.
I'm close to having my 5th baby and I NEVER time how long the baby nurses on one side or the other. I do try to remember which side I nursed last and then go to the next side on the next feeding. I believe watching the clock is a mistake and just sets you up for failure. Relax and enjoy the process. As long as your baby is gaining weight and peeing and pooping, then you know he is getting enough nutrition.

Good luck! This time passes quickly, make the best of it! :)

B.,
I always nursed 10 minutes a side, letting the second side go longer if they seemed still hungry. Any longer than that and I felt like I was nursing continually! Then, I just always started the next nursing section on the opposite side that I did the time before. I wore a bracelet and switched it from arm to arm so I would remember which to start on. Regarding your other son, if you can manage it, you might want to use nursing time as a time to read a story (some of the times, anyway!). You are sitting down, anyway!
Good luck.

Hi B.! Congratulations on your new baby! Have you tried nursing while your baby is in a sling or wrap? It may take some time to get the hang of it but that would free you up to be doing something with your toddler during that time. My son LOVED the game Elefun and it kept him entertained for awile. I would sit on the floor with him and nurse so it was like we were "all" doing something together. Puzzles were also a great diversion.

Also, I have no idea what Abbey H. found wrong with your lactation consultant's advice. You are doing exactly as you should and letting a baby nurse that long is essentially nursing on demand. Great job, mama!

Check out the Toddler's Busy Book by Trish Knuffer. It is an awesome book with lots of activites for toddlers. All of the ideas that I tried were a hit. She suggest putting together a basket of items that they only get to play with while you nurse. You can read to him while you nurse as well or play simple games like the other mom suggested.

My son was a long eater too. he was about 3 months old when he started nursing under 30 mins total time. by the time he was 4 months he took only 5 mins a side. but the first few months he seemed to be attached constantly. he is my first and is now almost 21 months. my son was a constant eater every 1-3 hours 24/7 for the first 3 months. i would guess your little one will start to taper off soon just in time to hit the big growth spurt feeding frenzy at 4 months :) i dont know any real methods that work for keeping a toddler under control during baby feeding time but maybe you could make a list for your son of 3-4 things that are ok to do during the baby feed time that way he doesnt feel tied down to one thing. it would also be a good time to just talk to your son. he is at a good learning stage so you could discuss how things work or just talk about things he likes. ask him to tell stories to you while you feed the baby. good luck.

I only have one child, so this is not from personal experience, but have seen many of my clients go though it. Could you have a "special" set of toys, art supplies, and /or books that you son only gets to play with while you are nursing? Maybe put a couple of his Christmas gifts in there. Then he will look forward to that time. I try to do the same with my 2 year old while I am working from home.
As for breast-feeding, throw that advice from the LC out the window! Nurse your baby on demand-as often and as long as he wants. This is very important for your milk supply, especially if you plan on going back to work and pumping at some point. Do you attend La Leche League? Check out meetings in your area...they are great support. Good luck and congrats on your new addition!

A.
http://www.mindbodybabies.com