baby pinching, grabbing pulling at my breasts and skin!!

[becknnico]

Ds is 6 months and is constantly pinching and pulling and scratching at my skin. I try to always keep his nails trimmed up and this helps but not enough. I have tried putting things in his hands, consistently taking his hands off me and placing them at his sides saying "no pinching!" or "ouch!" loudly and he does not seem to get it. He understands "ouch!" when he bites me wwhile nursing but is not making the connection when it comes to his hands. He does this while nursing, falling asleep and just while holding him I am about to start putting the newborn mits back on him! He is starting break my skin. Any suggestions???

its agony, isn't it?

I used to pin one arm behind my back, and keep a vice grip on the other one.

There are nursing beads that you can give to them to keep their hands occupied.

Still have a scar from where DD1 got me really good!

In the end I gave her a muslin to hold whilst we fed/cuddled and that seemed to occupy her. It's those razor sharp baby fingernails that do it!!

Sympathy from me but no advice, sorry. My dd is nearly 23 months and is still inclined to do this when she is enjoying a feed and is all cuddled up and sleepy.

I've been taking her hands away, saying 'ouch, don't pinch' etc for months a year and she still forgets when she is in that sleepy, fuzzy state.

7mo DD is the same, I'm glad to hear it's not just her. Pinching, grabbing, poking, gouging. It really hurts, those teeny fingernails are like little blades.

I would try giving him some cloth/ muslin to hold as InVino suggested.

Incidentally do you think it is the same sort of thing that kittens do when they are nursing (and that padding thing when they are adults, ouch!). Maybe it's a mammal thing and babies can't help it.

My 21 months old still pinches my boobs and he's not been bf since may.

Ouchy!

Poor you. Could be just a phase though? DS isn't pinching and grabbing as much now (he's nearly 8 months).

But he has a recently acquired tooth and thinks it's funny to bite. Ouch!

Anyway, definitely agree with giving him something to hold. I've not got a 'proper' nursing one, but I have a very strong necklace that he likes to hold onto while feeding and that's helped.

Interesting thought, nelliesmum - could indeed be a mammal thing....

My 2.8yo still does this when she's tired or clingy. She'll reach for the first available bit of skin and scratch and pinch the hell out if it. I've tried to teach her to stroke instead of scratch but she doesn't get it. My back, shoulders and arms are in ribbons :(

nelliesmum I think you are right. When dd does it, it reminds of a kitten getting ready to sleep. I try not to get too annoyed with dd because it seems so instinctive to her.

well, hopefully it is a phase!! Thanks everyone.:)