pulling off and kneading/pinching...ouch!

[olive&pimiento]

My sweet little nursling has become a little wild thing at the breast. DD is 3 months old and has developed some bad habits. In the middle of the night all is fine, but during the day she pulls off over and over and kneads and pinches my breast. I believe she is trying to stimulate another let down, because she does not do it when the milk is flowing rapidly. If I try to hold on to her hand or hold her close to prevent a pull-off she cries. I now have little scratches all over my chest and my nipples are really sore all of the time. I got the number of a good lactation consultant and will give her a call, but wanted to know if anyone here has any advise.

[2 in August]

No advice, sorry, my ds is only 2mo old but he's starting to do some of the same things so I'll be interested to see what advice you get.

[Snowdrift]

You have my sympathy. My 4-1/2 m.o. DD has started doing this, but mostly at night. My solution was to go back to swaddling sometimes. Actually, I started swaddling again at night to keep her warmer so I don't have to turn the heat on so soon, but it turned out to eliminate to kneading/pinching/clawing issue.

I dunno if swaddling an older babe would work by day though. I'm just glad my DD tolerates it and actually seems to thrive on it at night--she sleeps better and nurses better. I think sometimes her own flailing arms would disturb her and even wake her up.