How to encourage 3 month old to snack less and have bigger meals

[sil]

I love my DS to pieces but lately his eating habits have been causing difficulties. He is a big snacker. He likes to eat for 2-5 min and then gets distracted cooing/smiling/etc and will half heartedly lick or play with my nipple instead. This wouldn't be a problem if I didn't also have a toddler, classes to go to, etc. since he's snacking he wants to eat almost every single hour and it's hard to go out and get things done as I don't feel comfortable bfing in public and he isn't taking to a bottle. How can I encourage him to eat longer and less frequently? I tried a darker room with less stimulation for feeds but again this is difficult with a toddler running around.

 

[noon_child]

It is a phase they all go through when interested in the world. Other than what you have tried with reducing the stimulation I can't think what else to try. It will pass but it took about a month for my LO to get more boob focused again.

 

[Qmama79]

My first was a snacker. He's now 3 and still eats very little. Just because he ate so little, and never cried fr food, I was a worried bf mum. And fed him often. Can you delay yr feeds just by a bit, so it'll become an hour & more & more over time. See if you can calm him before pulling out the boob. Maybe he'll eat more when he's really hungry. Just a thought.

 

[Mthoodmom]

Have you tried waiting a minute or two after he stops nursing and switching boobs? This might re-interest him in nursing when he gets distracted.