Baby constantly grabbing even in sleep..

[Charingcrossbun]

My DS is nearly 9 months old. When feeding or sleeping his hand is constantly trying to grab things. Right now he is feeding and his hand is waving round grabbing my nose, hand etc. once he has grabbed something he will shake it back and forth violently. The problem ( apart from a scratched nose) is that he often grabs himself - ear, hair, sleeping bag and then wakes himself up. In his cot he will grab the bars/mesh wrap and pull towards it until he bashes his head or pull out his dummy if he has it in and hit himself in the face all of which wakes him. He is a terrible sleeper (3hrs ins row max) and this isn't helping! Anyone have any experience or tips? Apologies for typos I wrote this all out & was reviewing it when the hand grabbed it and all was lost so am now posting unedited!!

[Littlef00t]

Does he have a comforter? My dd has one and seems to keep hold of it all night. It often seems to end up over her face etc.

[Charingcrossbun]

He has a blanket type thing but he doesn't seem that attached. Did you do anything to encourage the use of the comforter?

[TheABC]

Mine is grabby. He has a stuffed toy panda that belonged to DH and I wear a teething necklace to save my skin. I found a drop of breast milk helped with the toy (smell) -completely unintentional, but panda ended up under my boob one night.

[DoItTooJulia]

At that age, my son was a headbanger and biter. Didn't sleep well, didn't feed nicely, was generally a bit of an unsettled baby.

He isn't now at 2. He started settling down around one and when everything kicked in, like walking, talking he improved no end.

It's time that he needs,but that doesn't help you right now. Try relaxation stuff, the same piece of soothing music, lavender oil sprinkled about, a soothing mantra, babies have no idea how to chill!

Best of luck

[Tactleneck]

Not sure I have any advice as dc3 is 8mths and pinches me constantly while bf'ing. We co-sleep too and she pinches me at night. It's driving me crazy. I guess the only thing i can say is it's a phase and it will pass. Dc1 used to kick like mad when feeding but he grew out of it way before a yr old. I just constantly move dd's hand and firmly say no, I think it's started to help. I feel bad trying to stop her in a way as she just does it for comfort but it's so annoying! I haven't had much luck introducing a comforter either, I keep trying to. I know my dc2 really took to a little cellular blanket as an idea or maybe a muslin cloth.

[Littlef00t]

With the comforter, it's a teddy attached to a square of blanket and I just gave it to her when she moved into her own room. I think I had it in bed with me for a few nights so it smelled of me, and just put it in the crook of her arm every nap and night time.

I'd get a few small teddies (don't think SIDS risk by this age) and light muslin, comforter etc and ensure within reach at night. Hopefully will grip them and not the side of the cot etc and as light will not wake up.