Feeding your distractible baby

As babies grow, they start to notice more of the world around them. This awareness becomes much stronger around 4 to 6 months. Everyday sounds, like your phone, TV, people talking, or pets, can easily catch their attention. 

If your baby is breastfeeding, these distractions might make them turn their head away, or even pull off the breast. While this new behaviour can feel challenging, it’s part of your baby learning about their world.

If you’re finding feeds tricky right now, there are gentle ways to help your baby stay focused.

Try these gentle ideas to help your baby focus on feeding:

• Feed in a quiet space: Choose a calm room away from noise and other people.
• Use soft background noise: Gentle music or the hum of a fan can help mask sudden sounds.
• Face a blank wall: Some mums find it helps to feed with baby facing a plain wall.
• Change your routine: If you usually do something else while feeding, try focusing just on your baby for now.
• Night feeds can be easier: Babies often feed better at night when it’s quieter and more relaxed.
• Keep toddlers busy: If you have older children, offer them books or toys while you feed your baby.
• Give baby something to hold: A colourful scarf, small toy, or something soft to hold can help your baby stay interested in feeding.

This stage doesn’t last long. As babies get older, most learn to feed even with distractions around them.

© Australian Breastfeeding Association December 2025