Show him a different 'physical' way he can let you know. Then be calm, but consistant in showing him everytime.

The only thing I can think to compare it to is my daughters. When I'm talking to their daddy or someone else and they need to tell me something, they have been taught not to interrupt. They come and place a hand on me . . . on my shoulder, my leg, my side, just anywhere. This tells me that they have something to tell me. I acknowledge by placing my hand on theirs and patting it. That tells them I will get to them as soon as there is a break in conversation. It took a bit for my 3 year old to catch on - been doing it since she was 2. Sometimes she will still need to be reminded. If she bursts out when I'm talking I will try to grab her hand and place it on me, still listening to the person I'm talking too.

So, maybe something like that? When he pulls up your shirt or he tugs it down, you could take his hand and place it on your arm or even on your stomach OVER your shirt and tell him, "Show mommy you want to nurse like THIS." Making sure to be consistant until he 'gets' it and then being attentive to respond when he does 'get it' and uses it to communicate.

 

HeatherSanders I really like your method for teaching not to interrupt. I haven't reached that place yet with dd but I will remember what you wrote. Thanks!
As for the shirt pulling... teach him the sign for milk and then he can sign to you when he wants to nurse. It may take awhile but you would be able to clearly tell what he wants.

 

My DD went through this too and still does it sometimes. You just have to be really consistent with telling/showing them a different way to let you know they want to nurse. I also tell my DD that mommy doesn't like it when she does that and reassure her that we will nurse when we get home, to the car, etc. - whenever you plan to nurse next.

It took us a long while b/c my inlaws would laugh when she would do it. I had to ask them to please not laugh as it's not very funny when it happens in public.

 

I just want to second teaching him the ASL sign for "milk." This is the exact reason that we did that. He will still on occasion, if impatient, try to life or pull on my shirt and I will take his hand out and hold it.

You will be surprised just how quickly they pick up the sign. I would just say "Do you want some milk" and make the sign or while nursing say 'milk' and make the sign. I wasn't very consistent and he still picked it up.

 

What is the sign for milk??

 

with one hand make a fist with the thumb pointing upwards and make the motion like you are milking a cow. Squeezing...
Is that a fair description??

 

I second the teaching not to interrupt. DD still at times will pull up on my shirt but I've also taught her to ask for more nursey. She sasy nursey (ssserrry) and doing the baby sign for more.

It has worked really well. She does the sign for more and then says nursey and we usually don't have an issue.

This is just a phase he's going through. He learning how his world works so give him some time to get use to this new idea and method. Also, I found if dd did lift my shirt, I'd pull it back down and say what do you want and she'd get the idea.