Give me your best tips for nipping pinching in the bud

[lalemma]

My EBF almost 7-mo has recently been trying to pinch while nursing. He'll basically try to grab the skin of my boob, which is obviously really pleasant for me, the boob owner.

I really want to nip this in the bud before it establishes itself as a habit! So far I can always redirect his little hand to hold the thumb of my other hand, but that leaves me without a hand to hold a book or a cup of tea, so is less than ideal.

I could possibly do a nursing necklace, but frankly I don't love that it'd be another thing to be carried around with us. Added difficulty level is that we're leaving for a long overseas trip in a few days, so I won't have time to order anything: if a nursing necklace is the best option, I need something I can buy in a store before we leave.

Any ideas? I'm particularly interested in mamas who managed to head the pinching off at the pass, and for creative solutions that don't require a frantic shopping trip.

Thanks!

[ps4624]

Lurking - my 15 mo old and I are in a battle royale about this right now. Hopefully someone has advice!

[Xavismom]

Battle royale sums it up here too.

I'd love to see an answer for this, 6 mo DS grabs the skin on my breast like its a handle or something!!!

[ShwarmaQueen]

DS is doing the same thing. I have visible scratches on my boob/nipple from his nails digging into my skin!

I like the idea of a nursing necklace. It doesn't have to be anything spectacular, just a sturdy focal point...I'm going to check out some local stores.

[hezasan]

I have been dealing with pinching too -- what sometimes works for me is a "nursing necklace" -- in quotes because I didn't buy one, I used our nuby teething ring (a circle 3 or 4 in across, with two little blurps coming out from it) and attached a string to put it around my neck (I don't let him play with it like that on his own!) When he is awake, he will play with it instead of my boobs, but when he is falling asleep he doesn't even know it's there so it's back to the boobs. I haven't found anything else that works, unless you count when he directs his scratching to my face! (I wouldn't count that.)
The nice thing is, he never used it as a teether (doesn't seem to like to teeth on anything except human flesh) but he will sometimes teeth on it if he is sitting on my lap and it's around my neck.
Good luck! I wish we all could be more helpful with this one!

[D_McG]

I remove the hand, cover the breast and stop nursing if those don't work. No exceptions, ever. I will say that months and months into this she'll still do it in her sleep (and my sleep) so it's very instinctive to her. But I treat it like she's going to touch a hot stove. It just isn't an option.

[kismetbaby]

We have this problem too. Sigh. I just move his hand and usually hold it in mine. If it gets real bad, I'll stop nursing, but I don't think he understands this yet.

[Spiralshell]

Me too. Nate is 7 months old and he REALLY gets a handful and pinches HARD! owieee!
I've been trying to redirect him to hold my hand or a fistful of my tshirt. Mixed results so far. Between this and the biting, I've had to really pay close attention to him the entire time he's nursing instead of checking the computer, etc. like I did when he was smaller.

[ihugtrees]

Is he grabbing the breast he's nursing on or the other? My 12 mo old DD sometimes grabs the other, so I nurse side lying, with the boob she's not nursing on squished against the bed--so I'm lying on my side, leaning over her a little bit (not uncomfortably so) and she is nursing on the 'top' breast.

You can make a nursing necklace easily enough. Go to a craft store & get that black, sturdy cord, and put a solid wood or metal charm on it.

[Lineymom]

I've noticed if I am wearing a nursing bra with a clip she (6.5months) plays with that instead. If not, I try to hold her hand. It hurts and I have scratches

[hildare]

oh boy

yes.. we have this too. no matter whether it's been only an hour since dd's eaten last, she acts simply FRANTIC about grabbing & stuffing in the boob. she is a violent nurser.
the only thing that has worked to stop this for us is for me to wear a nursing tank and another shirt. i'll pull up the shirt, open the one side of the nursing tank and the boob is pretty much encased in cloth. that works pretty well.
i also wear a necklace all the time, not a nursing necklace, but a silver chain with a charm. dd can really be redirected to play with that and pull on it.
now to try to solve the single strand hair pull maneuver....