Is it normal for my baby to "claw" me while breastfeeding?

Question

My daughter is 14 months and, although we feed her plenty of other foods, is not yet fully weaned. The trouble is, she's started pinching and clawing at my breast while contentedly feeding (like that whole kneading bit that a cat does when purring). I try to keep her nails short but she still pinches. Ouch! Is this normal? Any ideas on how to get her to stop?

Edit: She doesn't bite ("no" worked quite well), and it doesn't seem like she's doing it on purpose; she looks truly confused if I say "no", or "ow" or have another reaction.

Also, she's already on the sippy cup, steadfastly refused a bottle at 3 weeks old (we tried when we had a babysitter as well as while at home), and eats soft foods. The breastfeeding is supplemental, as I said.

Answer 1

It is wonderful to hear from an intelligent, well informed mother! Bless you for nursing your child for as long as you have! I would certainly not consider taking her off breastmilk at this time. As you say she does not understand that she is hurting you and babies at her age can be VERY attached to that special time with mommy. I am sure it is precious to her and it is important to her emotionally as well as physically. Every week and month that goes by and you are still nursing her you are giving her a gift that is invaluable!
But, to your problem. I have successfully breastfed all my children and have worked with La Leche League, I know that what you describe is pretty common. It is NOT a reason to stop feeding your baby. If you handled the infamous biting behavior (ow!) then you can handle this.
As some of the other savy mothers on here have said, gently (or however strongly you need to) hold her little hand. I would just start right out holding her hand and not even give her a chance to scratch at you. It does seem to be some sort of instinctual behavior (even tho humans are not supposed to have instincts) that has to do with getting your milk to let down. You have not had any problems with your milk not letting down have you? In any case I would hold her hand and talk to her as she nurses.
If you have to, do the same, "no! that hurts Mommy!" that you would do if she were biting. Have your tried different nursing positions? Maybe if you nursed her in a totally different position she would be distracted enough that she would not scratch. Does she do this when/if you nurse her lying down? Experiment with several different positions and see if any of that helps. I know this sounds crazy but wonder what would happen if you slipped a little mitten on her hand while she nursed? It just might work. Any way this will make good material to tease her about when she gets to be a teenager....lol....my kids love to hear stories about the things they did when they were babies.
Hang in there sweetie. You are giving your baby an invaluable gift, don't give up. She evidently still needs and wants this special bond with you or she would not so adamantly refuse the bottle (smart baby!). She is going to be one of those incredible, lucky kids that will evidently go from the breast to a full time cup. Lucky baby, smart mommy! A GIANT thumbs UP to you!
Blessings
Lady Trinity

Answer 2

My daughter had a tendency to do this from the beginning. I do not think she is vigorously trying to get more milk. It is just one of those things like twirling hair, sucking the thumb. It is a comfort thing. I call it "happy fingers" like "happy feet" for a cat. She also scratched at her face a lot and would have little scars around her eyes.

This may sound harsh, but once you try it you will see that it works and that it is okay. It does not harm your baby. You need to "train" her not to do her "happy fingers." Some babies have to be trained not to bite, yours has to be trained not to scratch.

When she starts clawing, gently but firmly thump her finger and say "no, don't scratch mommy" or, "no, that hurts mommy." If she starts up again, do the same thing. Continue until she stops. You can also take her hand after thumping it and make her hand "rub" your breast. (or some other similar act of comfort) This will teach her an alternative use for her hand while she is nursing. Do this every time you reprimand her until she stops clawing. She should pick up on this very quickly. You are not going to hurt her in this process because you love her and you want what is best for her. This is just another time in life where she has to learn boundaries and this is a loving, gentle way to teach her.

* No professional on lactating will tell you to stop breastfeeding at 14 months if all is going well for you and baby. If you take care of these little problems, you should be able to continue nursing up to two years-which is best for baby.
* Holding baby's hand will only teach her that mommy will keep her from doing things she shouldn't. She needs to learn self control and, at 14 months, she is old enough to learn it.
For interesting articles on child-training and marriage, etc. visit:
http://www.nogreaterjoy.org

PERSONAL EXPERIENCE
I have two daughters.
Daughter one nursed until 16 months old (now 3 yrs old) when baby two came along.
Daughter two is still nursing (15 months old)
I'm going for 2 years!

Answer 3

My 5 month old does the same exact thing. I constantly have scratches and little scabs on my breasts. Since your daughter is 14 months she should start or already know the meaning of No. Just gently grab her hand and say no no that gives mommy owies. With my child I just started to hold his hand when I feed him.

Answer 4

Hi. My son is now 8 months old and im breastfeeding him. He does the same thing, and it really hurts - i hold his hands.
He also always moves his hands, it looks like hes riding a motorbike!
I too have the same problem with the nails, and im always cutting his!
He always holds onto my breast or strokes it like he's happy to be there, maybe thats all it is!

Funny little things!

Answer 5

Apparently it's an instinctual thing that helps milk the breast. My 8mo is doing it now & my other 2 children did it as older babies as well. My breasts look like a battle zone with scratches & chunks of skin missing all over. Unfortunately i don't have any ideas on what can minimise or stop this behaviour.

Answer 6

When you first had your baby your body had been over producing milk. Now it produces just what your baby needs. If you start to pump more your body will think your baby need more milk and produce more. When I had my baby the same thing happened, so yes it's normal. Just pump more and you will produce more so when you go back to work. You will also need to pump while at work if not you will leak so be ready to do that as well.

Answer 7

Breastfeeding should be done for as long as both parties enjoy it. If you aren't enjoying it anymore b/c she's clawing you it may be time to wean. If you aren't ready tho do the same thing that you would do if she were biting. You remove her from the breast and tell her that is not acceptable and pack up if you have to. She doesn't get to nurse until she can contain herself. She is old enough to understand if you tell her that hurts. With biting you generally just relatch I know but when they're older sometimes you have to remove them from the breast and tell them that's an no-no.

Answer 8

Sometimes they do this in order to get the milk flowing faster.

Try redirecting her hands. Try wearing a scarf or a necklace made of colorful beads and redirecting her hands to play with those things. Or giving her a stuffed animal or blanket to cuddle while nursing.

Good for you for nursing her so long!

Answer 9

hold onto her hand; at 14 months she is old enough to understand NO. so when she starts this, just hold her hand and say no, that hurts mommy. repeat this consistently and she will soon learn.

and no, I don't think she needs to be weaned yet. many mothers nurse until at least age 2, and longer.

Answer 10

Its quite normal I believe, my daughters did it anyway.
I dont think they actually realise what they are doing. I just used to hold their hand and kiss it if they started. Or play a game so they count your fingers by pointing with theirs to distract them.
Just try and distract her, or say no and remove her hand. Eventually she will stop. Good Luck