Hi all,
My littlest is beginning to get quite rough when b fd'ing. She's not biting (still no teeth) but is beginning to slap at my arms, pinch and twist whatever skin she can grab, and yank me around a bit while nursing. She's my first 'comfort nurser' who shows no sign of wanting to wean. My others started to lose interest at around 6 mths (baby is 7 1/2mths) and had attachments to paci's or blankets. This little one does not. She's actively drinking when she does this stuff, so I'm a bit puzzled. I think it's done affectionately, but it's a bit much for me at times.
I've read about taking the baby off the breast, setting them down, using a firm "No", etc. I'm hesitant to try this because I'm afraid that if I 'push back' she'll begin to lose interest in breast feeding. My others self weaned before I really wanted them to and I'm afraid of that happening again, so want to do everything in my power to encourage her to nurse for a while longer. She's on solids and has started drinking some watered down juice from a cup, as well as one evening bottle so I feel like she could easily give it up if she chose.
Any advice?

Beth

My Callie (twin B) was my roughest nurser!! She would bite me!!! HARD! Ugh! I tried to distract her, I even tried telling her "no no" but all *that* did was make her cry. ::rolls eyes:: The twins both self weaned right around that time (honest, it was a *Self* wean ::Smile::) so I don't have tooo much experience with it... but that was the extent of her rough nursing... she would also pinch my breasts and bite my breast, not only my nipple... it didn't seem like she was trying to be mean... I don't know WHAT that was all about... but, whew, it's over now! I miss nursing them sooooooo much but definitely don't miss the "abuse"! :)

Try a nursing necklace. You can make one. It's a long necklace. colorful beads. It gives them something to play with while nursing.

I have had the same problem with my second. She frequently thrashes around, pulls on my hair and hits me in the face. I never found a solution, but the necklace sounds like it would be worth a try (as long as bubs doesn't try to strangle you with it ... lol).

Ah, yes, the joys of rough nursing with an older baby. Having a 16 month old, that is definitely something that we know a lot about! LOL. I don't have a whole lot of advice for those "free hand games" except that I will hold her free hand if possible. :) Good for you for trying to encourage her to nurse as long as possible. One thing that can help to encourage nursing rather than weaning is to offer nursing before solids, bottles, juice, etc. HTH.

I've got a rough nurser also, drives me bonkers. Usually I try to give him something for his free hand. The best is when I'm wearing my fuzzy robe, he just plays with that while nursing. Try giving her something to hold onto, soft or hard, try both and see what happens. I think the necklace sounds like a good idea, but I definitely wouldn't wear it around my neck with Nathan, he'd tug at it the whole time.

Thanks for the ideas, I might give a nursing necklace a try.