In the beginning, and once moms get the hang of it, breastfeeding is truly a magical experience. It's sweet, tender bonding time with the little one — even when baby gives mom a hard time. But then those breastfeeding babies turn into breastfeeding toddlers and it's a whole new ball game. As every mom of an older baby or toddler knows, it's nearly impossible to get little ones to sit still, even for a meal — and that goes for breastfeeding kids, too! In fact, it's so common for tots to fidget like circus performers while feeding that the behavior has spawned a (completely hilarious) hashtag, #gymnurstics — and the corresponding photos are so funny, it hurts (kind of like when a baby is trying to do a headstand and nurse from Mom at the same time).
Don't worry about hiring a coach. To practice gymnurstics at home, a baby or toddler doesn't need to be a professional gymnast. They just need to be hungry, busy, and on the go — which is pretty much a given for this age set. There is, however, some extreme flexibility required, but that's on mom's end. One has to have a) a very flexible spirit — because this ain't easy or fun or pretty, and b) very flexible breasts, which we're pretty sure we all have after breastfeeding for the longer haul. It's amazing all the ways they'll go!
In other words, ready, set, gymnurstics! Go, Mom, go!
Read on to see photos of moms comically struggling through feeding sessions with tiny toes stuck in their noses and chubby legs slung over their shoulders. We promise it'll make all moms feel better about their own mini gymnast's wild ways!
#gymnurstics: It's not an Olympic sport, but it should be.
Baby Nursing Upside Down
Why all toddlers feel like milk time is the perfect time to practice downward facing dog is anybody's guess, but this is a familiar pose to any mom who breastfeeds past infancy!
Nursing Baby Face Plant
The look on this tired mom's face says it all: Really, kid?? Also, Is it bedtime yet??
Toddler Nursing Standing Up
Looks like this mom just wants to get her laundry folded, but her hungry toddler has other plans. That's OK, the laundry will get put away … never.
Nursing Toddler Doing a Cartwheel
This little gymnurst is ready to do a roundoff right over mom!
Nursing Toddler Peek-a-Boo
What works just as well as a sleep mask? A small child's chubby leg over your eyes. (Let's face it, after being up with a toddler all night, anything will work!)
Nursing Toddler Kicking Mom
Eyeball, meet knee. Knee, meet eyeball. This is a match made in … nursing mama hell?!
Nursing Toddler Relaxing
This kid is a lounging pro! Literally every limb is supported, whether it's by mom's body or a piece of furniture. Impressive!
Toddler Bending Down to Nurse
Still not sure why so many babies insist on sticking their bottoms in the air when they nurse, but maybe there's something to it? Give it a try while drinking a latte and find out.
Nursing Toddler Doing a Headstand
With a little assist from mom, this baby is well on his or her way to winning a gold medal in gymnurstics!
Nursing Toddler Pulling Mom's Hair
"Yes, I will nurse and pull Mom's hair and stare the camera down all at once." This toddler is fierce!
Nursing Toddler Gymnastics
This one is just like that song: "She hit the floor/She hit the floor!/Next thing you know/Mama got low, low, low, low, low, low, low, low."
Distracted Breastfeeding
Gotta love how unapologetically bold these babies are with their nursing high jinks. Yeah, he's nursing on all fours … what of it??
Nursing Toddler Balancing Act
Is it some sort of modified triangle pose this little guy is going for? At least the mom has a comfy couch to relax on while he practices yoga!
Nursing Toddler Acrobatics
All we can say about this one is … wow! Talk about winning the gold medal in gymnurstics (and everything else, too!).
Topsy Turvy Nursing Toddler
Hey Mom, seeing and breathing is optional, right? That's cool, 'cause I'm just gonna sit right here for a bit.
Toddler Nursing in Downward Dog
This baby wants to make sure her mom is 100 percent focused on her at feeding time, and if that means blocking the television screen with her butt, then she's on it.
Nursing Toddler on a Rocking Horse
The last time this baby called fives on her chair, her sibling swooped in anyway. This time she's not taking any chances on losing her spot, even if it is snack time.
Nursing Toddler Kicking Dad
This flexible daddy's girl figured out how to have her milk and her dad's lap, too.
Toddler Nursing While Posing
This pose is what happens when "The Hot Dog Song" is playing at the end of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse while a feeding is underway.
Breastfeeding Baby Kicking Mom
"Ah, so comfy and cozy. Right, Mom?"
Baby Nursing on the Couch
This little one won't let the fact that her mom is relaxing stand in the way of mealtime. At least she's learning to help herself and use those leg muscles?
Baby Nursing Under Cover
This little one heard all the fuss about how nursing babies should use a cover and decided to give it a try for herself.
Breastfeeding Baby Nose Grab
This baby wants to make sure her mom doesn't forget she's there. As if one could forget a baby latched onto her boob!
Nursing Baby in a Side Triangle Pose
Most adults struggle with triangle pose, even after years of practicing yoga, but this baby makes it look easy, even while breastfeeding!
Nursing Baby Diaper Check
Don't think of it as a baby sticking his diaper right in his mom's face, think of it as a baby saving his mom the trouble of having to bend down and do a diaper check later!
Baby Nursing Bent Over
This sweet babe wants a meal and some love from mom, too. Time for a full body snuggle!
Nursing Toddler Kicking Mom
This little one's not trying to be rude — she's trying to feed Mamma just like Mamma feeds her. After all, Mom is always saying she wants to nibble on those toes …
Nursing Baby Grabbing Her Toes
This position is what happens when a baby's hungry, but still fascinated by the discovery of her feet!
Baby Nursing on a Chair
When the temperature rises, smart babies know that curling up on mom for a feeding gets warm fast. This toddler shows us that when it's warm, spreading out on cool leather is the best way to enjoy some milk.
Baby Nursing While Playing
This little dude is so busy exploring the room, he can't be expected to stop for a feeding — he just leans over for a drink. Good job, Mom, for making breastfeeding work, no matter what!
Nursing Baby Watching TV
When cartoons are on, but hunger calls, babies can twist themselves into some pretty wild positions. Check out this one's spinal pretzel.
Nursing Baby Doing Yoga
Eating while holding a perfect Y-pose? This is the most Zen baby we've ever seen.
Baby Nursing on Top of Mom
We love how this baby is one part nursing tot, one part tiny human blankie for Mom.
Planking Nursing Baby
No mom loves having two tiny hands mashed into her stomach. But the core strength on this little one is impressive! Not sure The Rock could pull off a plank on a couch like that.
Baby Nursing on Her Side
This pose is what happens when toddlers reach the age where they want to do everything all by themselves, without any help or assistance from their moms. They'll just breastfeed over here all alone like a big kid, thanksverymuch.
Baby Nursing on the Floor
The only time it's acceptable for the baby to eat off the floor.
Nursing Toddler Photo Bomb
For babies who always make the worst faces when the camera comes out, one would think breastfeeding would be the perfect time to snap a selfie together. After all, they can't ruin it, right? Wrong.
Upside Down Nursing Toddler
Nothing distracts this baby from the boob juice — not even being flipped upside down!
Toddler Nursing Doing Pushups
This baby is super strong — he's breastfeeding while in the middle of a pushup! It must be all that calcium.
Toddler Nursing During Mom's Workout
This baby won't let the fact that her mom's in the middle of a workout stop her from grabbing a quick bite to eat. Get in there, baby!
