How can I get DD to stop...

[MayasMama88]

...clawing and yanking on my nipples when nursing??? I get that babies like to touch and caress the opposite breast/nipple while nursing, but she's been pulling really hard on it, and pinching and even hitting my breast and it HURTS! And whenever I try to cover it up, or gently remove her hand, she'll stop nursing and most of the time want to go play. This is fine during most times, but when she's supposed to be taking a nap or going to bed at night, it can get so frustrating! Any suggestions?

[HonkyTonka]

does she have to burp? Mine yanks when she needs to burp.

[woodchick]

I absolutely cannot stand having my opposite breast touched while nursing. Two things I've done:

*keep my bra snapped up and shirt over the other side
*when lying down to sleep, take a blanket and 'swaddle' babe. Tuck the blanked under their side, up around the back and then down between the two of you, holding her arm in place

[MayasMama88]

As far as burping goes, I forgot to mention that DD is almost 10 mos old, lol! So I don't need to burp her anymore. As for swaddling, I can't do that because she HATES to be under blankets. I don't understand it, because I love to be under blankets when I'm sleeping, but everytime I try to cover her up, even if she's already asleep, she kicks them off and fusses. She doesn't even like me to put clothes on her! I guess I'm just going to have to try keeping my other breast covered from the get-go.

[woodchick]

I think keeping covered is really key... You might also try giving her something to hold in that hand either something to twiddle, like a bead necklace, or something soft.

[Mom2M]

yep, I keep my bra snapped on and shirt over it. Also, my DD is 8 months old and still burps!

[Bebe's Mom]

I have the same problem, I cover up and I wear a necklace that she likes to hold on to..It doesn't work 100% of the time, but keep taking her hand away,eventually she will get the message. My dd started pinching at around 6 months and still does it, but less now, because I take her hand away. When I put her to sleep for naps or at night, I use a glider to rock her to sleep, works like a charm!!

[toriaj]

A few times when I was getting really frustrated (and hurt) by the pinching, I just put socks on DD's hands. Similar to putting socks on a brand-new baby's hands so they don't scratch themself -- but now it's me that needs to be protected ...

And DD doesn't really even notice.

[LROM]

I had the same experience with DD (she still tries to play with opposite nip but now she's used to not getting access).

I found I just had to be *really consistent* in covering up the one she wasn't nursing on. I'd also say "You can't play with babu, you can only eat" (babu obviously being our word for boobs).

She fussed and was frustrated at first, but I just stuck with it and kept saying it and eventually she got really used to not being allowed to play. She still tries, but as long as I cover up before her hand gets to it, we're good. When I'm distracted and she gets her hand on it, then I cover it, she gets testy.

Whatever you do, just be consistent. If right now she stops trying to go to sleep, that should change over time if you keep it up and she realizes it's not going to change.