Distracted feeding – what to do if [Joshua] gets distracted during feeds

What to try 

• As your baby develops physical, cognitive and sensory skills, you might notice that they seem to become more distracted during breast or bottle feeds.  
• If your baby does this then these feeds might not be the best time for interaction, so think about other times for a chat. 
• You might decide to feed your baby in a quiet place, so they take more of the feed. Or you might find some gentle movement helps your baby to stay focused.  
• You may find your baby is less distracted during feeding at nap time or at night when they might feed to sleep. 

Good to know 

It can be worrying if you think your baby is taking less milk at their feeds. Try to think about their feeds over a 24-hour period, rather than one feed from a day. Many babies take more milk during night feeds, so taking a little less during the day is unlikely to be a worry.  

If your baby is distracted during breastfeeds, this doesn’t mean your baby needs formula milk – but if you have any concerns about your baby’s feeding, speak to a health professional.