Grabbing during feeds

[hjs9983]

My almost 7 month daughter has taken to grabbing during her feed - by that I mean grabbing me. My clothes, my hair, my hands, anything she can reach. I don’t know why she’s doing it. She does suffer from reflux but it’s managed with carobel. Any ideas? It’s hard not to worry about her and be a bit irritated with the constant pulling at me.

This is really normal, and at this age I’m afraid there’s not much you can do about it. When she gets a bit older she will start responding to No. I suggest putting your hair up in a pony tail for feeds and not wearing jewellery!

My DS used to do that but he grew out of it. Now at 14 months he likes to hold my face during feeds. 😂

Thanks! I don’t remember it with my son but he maybe did it too. I’m really trying not to be irritated by it but she’s a very strong girl!! Just another thing I’ll have to take in my stride I guess!

Both mine did this! When I switched to bottles DD used to hold the lid which helped

My daughter still grabs me at 14 months! I think it's normal. She has one breastfeed before bed and will grab and knead my boob - it seems relaxing for her so I leave her to it, unless she pinches, then I'll tell her off...

Completely natural - find a video of a baby monkey feeding! For all she knows you may be about to leap off into the treetops so she's getting a handhold.

Two of mine fed like kittens, pinching and kneading me with their paws hands. Both of them are far more cuddly, touchy-feely people than their calmy-feeding, un-kitten-like siblings.

One of my 'kittens' liked holding a muslin or something soft while feeding. At first I had to hold on to it, too, so that she could tug at it, but eventually she was content with just holding it.

You can get feeding necklaces to wear while feeding, which give the baby something textural to hold and tug at. They can also double as teethers later on. If you get one, make sure each bead is individually knotted on.