Nipple wrestling

[Nelbert19]

Please help my poor nipples!

My son is 4 weeks old and over the past few days he’s developed a habit of suddenly clamping down on my nipple while feeding and throwing his head back. Strangely almost always on the right. My poor nipple is so bruised and sore!

He’s had a good latch since week two and the painful crack on the left nipple from the initial latching difficulties had just healed up and I was finally finding breastfeeding comfortable, but now he wants to play tug of war with my boob!

It tends to be towards the end of the feed and if he does it more than once or starts chewing on the nipple (😖) I unlatch him, but the damage is done!

Anyone know how I can stop this?? Before he starts teething?!

My boy does exactly the same... it’s the end of the feed and he gets a bit frantic and pulls off. I use nipple shields and so he can rip them off which is NOT pleasant for my nipple.

I use an app timer so I can start to tell when he is at the end of a feed so then try and hold his head a bit still and his arms down so he is a bit calmer. Not fun though I feel for you

Pop your little finger in the side of his mouth to release the suction as you start to feel the clamp. He'll come off gently and then allow him back on a few seconds later. He'll soon start to realise if he does that, the yummy milk will stop and hopefully he'll stop it quite quickly.
I've had DC who have all tried this monkeying around at about the same age.
The finger trick has worked.

I have a 16 day old and he has started doing this towards the end of a feed also starts thrashing around - as above have tried using little finger in side of mouth to get him to come off.

My dd is now 9 but I remember this well! I was told it was due to the supply slowing down and trying to get more out. It straightens out the ‘tunes’. This will pass hang on in there guys!

Thank you for the advice and solidarity! I will persevere (with gritted teeth and curled toes!)