Pinching, grabbing, pulling at skin

[OuchBollocks]

DS is 7.5 months, breastfed, and in the last week or so has started pinching and grabbing and clawing at me as He feeds. My arms are covered in bruises from his tiny but surprisingly strong little fingers, I keep his nails as short as possible but he's still scratching my chest and face. When he started clawing at me during a night feed I was so groggy and it was so sore that I almost smacked his hand away (I didn't and wouldn't! But the instinct was there). He isn't fooled or placated by fabric or my fingers, is there any way to get him to stop and quickly because it is driving me round the bend.

[RiceButt]

I'm experiencing the same. I didn't really know what to do but I just firmly say no and look away from him, he pinches and scratches my face though. I have no idea if saying no works, he obviously doesn't understand. I've just resorted to turning his scratch mitts over on his sleepsuit, although he hasn't pinched for a few days now, so maybe it's a phase?

[RiceButt]

Also I found giving him a muslin to play with distracted him a little.

It's difficult because the pinching really does bloody hurt.

[Elllicam]

My DS3 (10 months) does the same thing. I put mittens on him, he doesn't like them but will put up with them.

[QuiteLikely5]

Wrap a muslin cloth around his hand or over your arm st least

[LapinR0se]

I say NO and stop the feed immediately then restart and repeat as often as necessary

[ems137]

It’s just a little stage they go through, I think I used to put a muslin/bib/top there to protect my skin.

My LO is going through the I’ll have a good look round the room with your nipple clamped in my mouth stage!!

[QuilliamCakespeare]

My 10mo has been doing this for about 3 months. It's improved slightly, either that or my tolerance has!

[gandalfspants]

DD did this loads from about 8 - 11 months. It drove me mad and I was covered in little bruises and scratches. She still does it sometimes at 13 months.

I tried keep most of the rest of me covered while feeding, and removed her hands if she was really hurting.

I did try stopping the feeds if she did it but she would get quite distressed and just do it again when we restarted, maybe I’m a soft touch but it was easier to grit my teeth and get the feed over with most of the time.

She had this awful habit of rolling my skin between her fingers so it was between her nails no matter how short they were, but keeping them short did help a bit.