thread: Pinching while feeding especially when tired

  1. #1
    Registered User

    Oct 2007
    Middle Victoria
    8,924

    Pinching while feeding especially when tired

    My Little One currently loves pinching me when she is feeding, especially when she is tired or falling asleep. It is driving me crazy and i am getting little sores from her pinchy fingers. When i get her to stop she cracks it and is harder to settle. She is using it as a settling technique but its really not working for me.

    Why does she do it?

    How can i change it?

    I have been trying to introduce a teddy so she can play with that (in the hope of later using it as sleep association thingo) but she really doesn't care at all for teddy or blanky or whatever.
    I try playing with her hands, which sometimes works but she goes back to wanting to pinch me.
    Necklace didn't really help.

    Any suggestions?

  2. #2
    Registered User

    Dec 2008
    Brisbane, QLD
    5,171

    Isaac did this too. It hurts so much after a while! He was also scratching the back of my arm, although only gently after a few mins it gets quite sore.

    I ended up putting him down when he did it. It took a few times to learn "if I do that I dont get milk", but he got it eventually

  3. #3
    Registered User

    Oct 2007
    Perth,WA
    2,942

    Let me know when you find the miracle cure for this one! I have such sore pinched arms!

  4. #4
    Registered User

    Jan 2007
    WA
    1,577

    I know how you feel - DD does this to me too sometimes! She also loves to play with my bra straps/clothing, so I find it's worse if I wear a top like a bonds BF singlet that drops down and exposes more of my tender skin! So if I can keep more of me covered she's more likely to play with the clothing instead. Maybe try something like that? GL!

  5. #5
    Registered User

    Nov 2010
    QLD
    394

    My DS use to do this aswell, more so when he was ready to change sides, like he was getting any more milk out of that side he would pinch - could it be something like that?

    I ended up having to put him down everytime he did that until he learnt to stop, only took a few feeds.

    Another option might be to swaddling, I know she's older, but maybe just for feeds.

  6. #6
    Registered User

    Dec 2007
    Victoria
    7,260

    It will pass. I tried everything with Charlotte, nothing worked except time and gently hindering her efforts with my hand.
    Try wearing something that covers your chest a bit more too.

    Oh, and make sure you keep her nails clipped or it will be worse!! lol

    It does pass though, and I know how painful it is, but she will stop doing in it shortly.

  7. #7
    Registered User
    Add ~clover~ on Facebook

    Sep 2007
    travelling
    9,557

    Oh the car trips I remember with poor mums arm stuck behind her so my sister could pinch her
    Thats the only way she'd go to sleep. Either me or mum, she wasn't fussy.
    DS used to scratch me in a similar way while feeding. He got better when he found the skin tag near my arm pit, but I would've given anything to have the scratching back!
    They do grow out of it. My sister stopped about 3 - 3.5. No idea's on how to stop it earlier, sorry

  8. #8
    Registered User

    Sep 2005
    In the middle of nowhere
    9,362

    I'm a mama to a pincher too....

    We have most of it under control now but even yesterday DH asked what the little black bruises under my arms was

    When he was really little I'd say quietly, "Please don't pinch me, I don't like it" and move his hand away. I'd always say the same thing. Now when he does it (especially when he's just falling off to sleep) I say the same thing and even when he's seriously comatosed, he will stop doing it.

    We've taught DD to say it too (cos he loooves to pinch her) and he understands and stops.

  9. #9
    BellyBelly Member

    Nov 2009
    Qld
    367

    What about a little blankie or piece of textured fabric that she could hold?

    DD2 is interested in the big mole on the top of my boob atm, she keeps trying to surgically remove it with her finger nails. I usually the the back fatty pinches with her bottom arm when she is tired. I found shoving a fluffly bear back there distracted her fingers from my skin to the bear.