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Home > Breastfeeding > Nursing an Older Infant Nursing MannersBy Kelly Bonyata, BS, IBCLC Kneading, patting, twiddling, scratching, pinching, grabbing mom's
nose, biting, pulling at mom's shirt, playing with or pulling mom's
hair, blowing raspberries on mom's breast, nursing standing up,
nursing upside down, acrobatic nursing...
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All of these things are very normal nursing behaviors for older babies and toddlers. Many things children do when they are nursing are cute or downright funny - but what if it's a behavior that you don't like? However normal it may be, there is no reason mom has to put up with behaviors that are painful or annoying when nursing.
Tips for curbing unwanted nursing behavior:
Start early
Encourage good nursing manners and discourage unwanted behavior early on. For example, many mothers start using a code word for nursing long before baby is talking, and even a very young baby can learn not to bite when nursing.
Be firm, clear and consistent with your expectations.
Be patient
Behavior changes take time.
Wait it out
Many nursing behaviors are a phase, where your child is experimenting with what he can do while nursing. If a particular behavior is only mildly annoying, then one option is to wait for a bit to see if the novelty wears off on its own.
Distract and Redirect
- Find another way to occupy your child's hands. Suggest he touch his own body or clothes instead of yours. Show him how he can rub your arm rather than pinch it. Try holding hands, tickling/kissing/blowing on his hand, playing finger games, counting fingers, having him point to different things, clapping, etc.
- Give your child something to hold and play with while nursing (a small toy, blanket, etc.). If your child isn't interested in the first thing you try, try different sizes and textures (hard, soft, textured, silky). If your child wants to play with your hair, or your nose, or the other breast, then try to find something of a similar texture or size that might serve as a reasonable substitute.
- Wear a nursing necklace or bright scarf to redirect your child’s attention.
- Talk, read a book or tell a story to your child while you nurse. Songs or finger plays can also be fun.
Gently discourage unwanted behavior
- If your child plays with the opposite nipple/breast (often called "twiddling"), try wearing a bra or other clothing that is not easily accessible, or covering the opposite breast with your hand or arm. Combine this with distraction and redirection as discussed above.
- Consider a firm reprimand: "Be still" or "Keep Mommy covered" or "If you keep doing that we will stop nursing.” Use a firm voice but not so firm that it scares your child. You might also hug your child close to you or hold his hand to reiterate the point.
- Stop breastfeeding if your child continues and explain in a few simple words why you stopped nursing. Say something like "I can't nurse you when you're squirmy. Let's go play and get the wiggles out and we will nurse in a little while." Offer to nurse again in a few minutes, or wait until your child asks to nurse again.
Avoid the more difficult situations
Some children go through a stage where nursing in public can be a problem. Perhaps your child is really distractible or wiggly, or insists on flapping your shirt up and down.
If your child needs to nurse but will not settle down for nursing, try offering a snack or a little water or other beverage from a cup. If you're uncomfortable nursing in public, try to nurse before leaving home and tell your child that you'll nurse as soon as you get to a more private spot (delaying nursing like this works better when baby is over 18 months and is not overtired).
Before you leave home, discuss with your child what behavior you expect from him when you're out. For instance if he tends to pull your shirt up, ask his help in keeping you covered while you're out.
Is it okay to have different "rules" for nursing when
you are at home
than when you are in public?
Absolutely! There are many situations where we have different expectations for public or private behavior, and breastfeeding is simply another of these. There is a time and a place for acrobatic nursing, but for the majority of moms, it's not when they are nursing in public. Many moms allow their nurslings to be creative at home, but require nursing behavior that is more modest and sedate when they are out in public. Most children adapt pretty easily to rules that are different in different situations. If your child is having problems with the double standard, however, try keeping the rules more consistent until he is a little older.
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Do you have concerns about the way your child asks to nurse, particularly in public?
Does he pull on your shirt, stick his hand down your shirt, or ask loudly to nurse? Or are you afraid that he will in the future? Try incorporating a "code word" for nursing and/or teaching your child a sign for nursing--many mothers do this long before their child becomes verbal. Depending on the child's age and the situation, many mothers will only nurse if their child asks in an acceptable manner. Model to your child acceptable ways to ask to nurse, and practice with him.
Note: All of the photos on this page are copyrighted material. They may not be copied or used in any way without written permission.
Page last modified:
10/10/2005
Written: 03/17/2004
Read more:
@
Toddler nursing: What to expect (includes more on acrobatic nursing)
@ other websites
Nursing Rules by Keri Baker. Discusses nursing manners for nursing toddlers.
Nursing manners for your toddler by Debbi Donovan, IBCLC
Pinching: Teaching your nursing toddler limits by Kathy Kuhn, IBCLC
The need to knead by Kathryn Orlinsky
Is That OK? (nipple twiddling during breastfeeding) by Shel Franco
Toddler Tips: Fiddling the Night Away from the LLLI website
Toddler Tips: Incredible Acrobatic Nursing Feats from the LLLI website