5 months in, biting down, scratching me, pulling nipple away, Argh!!!

[shouldIbecrossaboutthis]

My DS is big. He's 20 weeks now and on the 91st for weight. He used to go every 3.5-4 hrs between feeds but now wants it every 2.5-3.

But, he keeps biting down, clawing at my boobs, pulling my nipple and it all bloody hurts! I'm back to using that magical cream & DS is unsettled between feeds. He doesn't cry, just not his usual self.

It seems to me he is frustrated at the boob and likes the initial let down but then gets agitated. What can I do to help him? Feeding him any more than 2 hourly isn't really an option as I have severe back pain :(

the biting is perhaps teething related?

pushing them into your boob makes them unlatch without hurting you

they do get very distractible at this age - try a nursing necklace so he can mess with that and not claw at you

you can also tuck his arm under yours (so it's behind your back)

where poss feed where it is quiet and boring - so no TV etc so that he can focus on feeding

Ruby, this has been going on for 3 weeks now. I've tried all of the above :( he is fine for the first 3-4 minutes then starts. Pulling his head in does nothing, I don't understand how he can breathe! It's the free arm that he scratches wih, I've been holding his hand bit then he just bangs it on me. I've also tried putting him down and not feeding him for a bit. I think he is too little to get it?

I feel like he bites in protest of the slow flow? Is there a way to speed it up?

Sorry am feeding now I forgot my manners! Thank you for the suggestions :) I haven't tried a necklace actually, would he just play with it? I do always wear one that he plays with. Or is it for him to eat?

Hey no probs

You can try breast compressions whilst feeding to try and speed up the flow

Google jack Newman

The nursing necklace is for him to pull on and twiddle rather than your boob

Oh yeah, the clamping down while pulling away. You gotta just love that! I feel like my nipple is gonna come off. I thought DS does this when he really wants to look at something but doesn't want to stop feeding... just wants a short pause without the inconvenience of reattaching thank you very much. Can't help but yelp and definitely do not appreciate it when he looks me right in the eye and manages to raise a grin without releasing the clampdown!

Ohh I will get a nursing necklace then thanks ruby, he does like to pull on my silver necklace which I obviously don't let him do too hard, maybe a special necklace will help. et another wardrobe sacrifice .

zoobaby, my DS doesn't pull away and look around, he looks right at me when he is doing it, or at my boob! He does pull off in a painful manner to look around though.

I'm going to give compressions a try and see how we go. I've never been a lover of breastfeeding and I'm doing t because it's best for Ds, needless to say I'm counting down the weeks until he is 26 weeks old, his gut is magically sealed and I can give him formula! Sadly, he wont drink my expressed milk, because it tastes like shit.