How do I stop my baby from scratching and pinching when breastfeeding?

Understanding the Behavior
Breastfeeding can be a beautiful bonding experience between mother and child, but it can also come with its challenges. One common issue that many breastfeeding mothers face is their baby scratching or pinching during nursing. This behavior, while often surprising and uncomfortable, is quite normal and can stem from a variety of reasons. Babies are naturally curious and tactile, and their little hands often explore their surroundings, including their mother’s body, while feeding.
Reasons Behind Scratching and Pinching
Babies may scratch or pinch for several reasons. According to experts, these behaviors can be a form of exploration or a way for the baby to express affection. As they nurse, infants might knead or twiddle with their hands, which can lead to unintentional scratching or pinching. Additionally, some babies may be seeking attention or comfort, using their hands to connect with their mother during this intimate time.
Strategies to Mitigate the Behavior
While it’s important to understand that this behavior is typical, there are several strategies that mothers can employ to minimize discomfort during breastfeeding:
1. Use Mitten Sleeves: One effective solution is to dress your baby in mitten sleeves. Products like those from Bamboo Bubby are designed specifically to prevent scratching and pinching while allowing the baby to still engage in the breastfeeding process. These sleeves can help keep your baby’s hands soft and less likely to cause discomfort.
2. Redirect Their Hands: Gently redirecting your baby’s hands can also be helpful. If you notice your baby starting to scratch or pinch, you can guide their hands to a toy or a soft cloth. This not only distracts them but also keeps their hands busy during feeding.
3. Create a Calm Environment: Sometimes, a chaotic environment can lead to fidgety behavior. Ensuring a calm and soothing atmosphere during breastfeeding can help your baby feel more relaxed, potentially reducing the urge to scratch or pinch.
4. Establish a Routine: Babies thrive on routine. Establishing a consistent breastfeeding routine can help your baby feel secure and may reduce the need for them to engage in exploratory behaviors like scratching.
5. Communicate Gently: If your baby’s scratching becomes too uncomfortable, gently remove them from the breast and calmly explain that scratching hurts. Babies may not fully understand, but they can pick up on your tone and body language.
Conclusion
While scratching and pinching during breastfeeding can be frustrating, it’s essential to remember that these behaviors are a normal part of infant development. By employing strategies such as using mitten sleeves, redirecting their hands, and creating a calm environment, mothers can help make the breastfeeding experience more comfortable for both themselves and their babies. Embracing this phase with patience and understanding can turn a challenging situation into an opportunity for deeper connection and bonding.

How many let downs per feed?

The let-down reflex generally occurs 2 or 3 times a feed. Most people who breastfeed only feel the first let-down. The let-down reflex can also occur with stimulation of your breasts, such as by your partner.

How to get a deeper latch when breastfeeding?

With your baby’s head tilted back and chin up, lift him or her to touch your nipple. The nipple should rest just above the baby’s upper lip. Wait for your baby to open very wide, then “scoop” the breast by placing the lower jaw on first. Now tip your baby’s head forward and place the upper jaw well behind your nipple.

How to get your baby to stop pinching while breastfeeding?

Do not pinch or flick your baby when they bite. Best way to stop this is to let baby know when they bite they don’t get milk. Remove the baby from the breast, don’t pull off. Push the baby closer in so they need to catch breath and unlatch. Try to put your knuckle in between their latch to unlatch them.

Is it normal to feel pinching while breastfeeding?

If your nipple is pinched, flat, or a different shape than usual after you breastfeed, you may need to adjust baby’s latch. Visit your WIC breastfeeding expert for help. If you are in pain while breastfeeding, gently break the latch by inserting a clean finger into the corner of your baby’s mouth. Then try again.

How do you teach a baby not to pinch?

Babies: handling biting, pinching and hair-pulling
For example, you can say, ‘No’. The next step is to remove your child’s hand (or mouth!) and turn away or put them down. When you do this, you take away attention from the behaviour. If your baby hits, bites or pulls your hair again, respond in the same way.

Why does my baby pinch my skin when feeding?

Its not just breastfeeding that this happens. Its part of infants learning how bodies and things work. Pinching, hitting, and biting are all developmentally normal things as they learn space and boundaries.

How to fix a painful latch?

Signs that baby isn’t latching properly
If you feel nipple pain while nursing, something’s not right. This means your baby is likely chewing on your nipple instead of gumming the areola. The fix: Unlatch (break the suction by putting your finger into the corner of her mouth), and try again.

How to get baby to latch without pinching?

Steps to a Good Latch

1. Tickle your baby’s lips with your nipple. This will help baby open their mouth wide.
2. Aim your nipple just above your baby’s top lip. Make sure your baby’s chin isn’t tucked into their chest.
3. Aim your baby’s lower lip away from the base of your nipple.

Why is my baby pinching and biting while nursing?

Why do some babies bite when breastfeeding? A newborn baby might clamp down or, if they have teeth, bite in response to a change in position or to slow or stop the milk flow (Lyttle et al, 2015). Babies and toddlers who are teething might bite down in the same way as they do on mouth toys and other objects.

Why does my baby scratch me when feeding?

Hitting and flailing during nursing is simply a developmental phase of infancy. Babies flail, hit, and smack during nursing sessions for a variety of reasons. Your baby needs attention. Your baby might hit during a nursing session simply to get your attention.