Baby scratching/pushing/generally making me dislike feeding

[confusion77]

Ds is 8months and ebf. We have both found it easy other than the feeding every hour or two overnight. But recently he has started raking his razor sharp nails across my face neck and chest during daytime feeds. If I try to hold his arm he screams. He also braces his arm against my chest and pushes against me which results in him tugging at my nipple, painful. He brings his top leg up and not so much kicks as pushes and grinds his foot against my arm, my arms are bruised. If I try to move my arm away he rolls onto his back and tugs again. He feeds to sleep at both map times and sometimes, as now, it's a fucking nightmare tbh. We Co sleep and feed fine in the night. He's so little and I know he's not doing it to hurt or annoy me but I'm starting to get really bloody annoyed with it. Is there anything I can do to stop it?

[confusion77]

So I've just moved him arm and said 'no!' ands he's cried as if I've pulled his arm off (I haven't.....)

[Dorisdolalee]

It's weird isn't it. Kind of counter intuitive. No idea why babies do this. I think it peaks around the 8 month mark as they start to get exploratory. ( i don't think I am an expert just free associating!)
I would reccomend
Cut the Nails as short as possible
Wear a necklace for distraction. Try feeding lying down. When you can in the day.

[confusion77]

I do try lying down but if he's in the mood to scratch he won't settle lying down unfortunately. I'll try the necklace. Thanks.

[Coconut0il]

I have started to put socks on DS2'S hands for every feed after looking like I had been in a battle with a tiger!

[confusion77]

That's a good idea. My chest looks horrendous after this afternoon.

[Cloclomomo]

I had something similar with my first baby pinching my arms. I eventually mentioned it to our Paediatrician who said to detach baby, tell her off, and put her down, so she knew it was 'not on'. Then re-start a little while later, but stop again if the pinching persisted. This only applies if you think the baby is old enough to understand that there are consequences to his/her behaviour.

I also think for my daughter that it might have been a sensory thing as she had some sensory issues when she was little.

[CactusKate]

My DD used to do it, it was like she was kneading like a cat does sometimes, I got scratchsleeves for her here

[Spudlet]

Adult size fluffy socks that go all the way up their arms are hard for them to get off...