Pinching?

[cowfarmmom]

Please forgive me if this has been asked already!

Our 4 and 1/2 month old gets very grabby when he's hungry. He pinches my neck, arms, and hair while I'm setting up to nurse him. I like his spirit but I say "Ouch" and gently remove his hand. I know he's too young to understand but I'm guessing that it's good idea? He isn't teething yet, but I will have to teach him "No" if he bites. Is that similar? Should I use "No" for the pinching?

Thank you for your thoughts.

[Nipple_nectar]

Babies are notorious for pinching, dental exams and what is commonly referred to as twiddling while nursing, it can be very troublesome! Your baby is ready for a nursing necklace (www.joyzjewelz.com), this will help entertain him while he eats. As he gets older, the distractions will sometimes interfere with his interest in nursing but the brilliant colors and different shapes will serve a way to keep him nursing a little longer.

Your baby is old enough to be taught some nursing manners (http://www.kellymom.com/bf/older-baby/nursing-manners.html).

I have a great link on biting (www.kellymom.com/bf/older-baby/biting.html) WRT older babies but we need to remember as our babies begin to teethe, to give them plenty of opportunity for teething, so they don't gnaw on us!

I use a mesh feeder (http://www.babysupermall.com/main/products/mun/mun43101.html) with frozen fruit for a great frozen teether. We make sure and do this for a minimum of twenty minutes prior to all our nursing sessions these days.

I am nursing a 22 month old biter and this has cut down her behavior immensely!

[KatieLou]

DD was a pincher. She piched the back of my arm, and my neck while she nursed. It hurt too!

i think what you are doing is the right way to go. "Ouch. That hurts Mommy. No pinching." Try NOT to yelp or scare the baby though, I did that once whe DS bit me, and it resulted in a nursing strike. he was so sensitive and my hurt yelp hurt his feelings.

[cowfarmmom]

Thanks for the tips! He's very sweet once he is nursing. He's just excitable when he's hungry. Sounds like I'm on the right track.

[intokermit]

Try to to yelp or scare the baby though, I did that once whe DS bit me, and it resulted in a nursing strike. he was so sensitive and my hurt yelp hurt his feelings.
I think you mean try NOT to yell. I accidently yelled when DS bit down, and he refused to nurse for awhile. Good luck. My DS likes to shove his foot in my face. No clue why, he likes to touch me with his foot. Kinda weird, I know.

[KatieLou]

LOL. Yes, you are right! I need to edit! Please DO NOT yell. LOL. *hits head*

[dodoe80]

I would definitely address the issue. I tell my DS no and if he doesn't listen I go on to gently smacking hand and then stopping all together if he continues. All the while trying to distract hands from doing things I don't want them to do. However my son is 10 Months old. I had a problem with pinching at about 6 months and it took about a month to get him to stop. Biting I've had intermittent problems with and he knows now that he is not suppose to do it but occasionally slips a nibble in there at times (sometimes by mistake).