Beaten up while breastfeeding!!

[RCollinge]

My 5 month (well she will be on Sunday) has started trying to hit me as she breastfeeds. It tends to be a punch on the breats but if i'm not careful I can get caught around the face!

It has only started in the last few days but she really gets some power behind her little fist sometimes!

What can I do? I tend to hold her hand gently which works most of the time, but often she gets cross and starts getting upset!

Blimey, that title scared me!!

I have similar. It's more of a constant grabbing, but it is constant and I basically get repeatedly scratched. Could you stop and say "no" while catching her hand? Don't know if it would work but that is one of the suggestions for if we get bitten, so you can see my logic....!

Totally sympathise! DS used to do this (now he pushes my chin to make my head turn...sharply sometimes!). I used to hold his hand, but he too got cross. I'd say that it's a phase - DS also used to push at me very hard when he was nursing (whilst still latched on - OWWW!), but he seems to have stopped that (fingers crossed).

Can you give her a soft toy or a muslin to hold while she nurses?

Message withdrawn

Ds3 used to twist the other nipple (very painful!) or bite for the sheer hell of it it seemed to me. I found pulling away (in agony) usually did the trick.

Yeah, I get the grabbing too ... really tries to grip with her fingers and pulls at the skin!

I've tried taking her off when she does it, but she doesnt seem to understand! Same with saying "no" (or normally "owww").

It seems like frustration but does it when I'm really full so can't be lack of milk flow!

It's reassuring to know that its just a phase ...

Maybe I can get some sort of protective breastfeeding outfit!!!

what about a breastfeeding necklace ?

What a brilliant idea - thanks!

The butterfly necklace is lovely. And I could see this one being more interesting than making mummy's face blue!

I have to say I didn't get one in the end - partly because I'm not sure how much longer I will be breastfeeding for. I know where you're coming from though!

Never got beaten, but ds3 BIT me last week. Has no teeth but very hard gums!