The sensation of a baby pinching, scratching, or tweaking the breast or nipple during a nursing session is a common experience for breastfeeding parents. While often painful and startling, this behavior is a normal part of infant development and is rarely malicious. Understanding that this action is a natural phase of growth can help normalize the experience and reduce the frustration or pain it may cause. Most babies naturally outgrow this habit as they develop other ways to interact with their environment.
The Reasons Behind the Pinch
The primary driver behind the pinching is the infant’s natural developmental exploration of their surroundings. As babies gain control over their hands, they begin to explore different textures, and the soft skin of the breast and chest is readily accessible. This tactile investigation allows them to practice fine motor skills, like the pincer grasp, and learn about the world through touch.
Milk flow dynamics also play a significant role in this behavior, as the baby may use their hands to communicate a need. Pinching or kneading the breast can be a physical attempt to stimulate the flow of milk, particularly if the parent is experiencing a slow letdown. Conversely, a baby might pinch the skin or pull away momentarily if the milk flow is too fast or overwhelming, suggesting an attempt to manage the speed of the feed.
Older babies may engage in pinching as a way to seek stimulation or to maintain engagement during the feeding process. They are more easily distracted by their environment, and the action of pinching can be a way to re-focus or self-soothe while nursing. Infants who are experiencing discomfort, such as from teething, may also use the pinching or grabbing motion as a physical outlet to relieve pressure or express frustration.
Strategies for Managing the Behavior
Parents can implement several practical strategies to manage pinching during nursing sessions. A simple first step is the “nipple shield” strategy, which involves gently covering the area of skin the baby targets with a hand or piece of clothing. This minimizes the tactile reward the baby gets from the action and protects the skin from damage.
Hand management techniques can be highly effective in redirecting the baby’s attention and energy. Before the feed begins, gently tucking the baby’s free hand into the parent’s shirt or lightly holding it can prevent the pinching from starting. For babies who are prone to scratching, ensuring their fingernails are trimmed short is a necessary preventative measure to reduce the risk of injury.
Providing an alternative sensory outlet gives the baby something else to focus their hands on during the feed. Offering a designated teething toy, a soft blanket, or a sensory necklace can satisfy the baby’s need for tactile exploration without involving the parent’s skin. Recognizing early cues, such as a slowing of suckling or the baby’s eyes beginning to wander, allows the parent to intervene with one of these distractions before the pinching starts.
When the Pinching is More Than Just a Nuisance
While pinching is a common developmental behavior, its impact on the parent can extend beyond discomfort. The repeated action can cause soreness, bruising, and flinching, which may lead to a psychological nursing aversion where the parent dreads feeding sessions. Over time, the physical trauma to the skin can become more severe, resulting in skin breaks, cracking, or bleeding around the areola or nipple.
If the behavior is causing significant physical trauma, such as deep cuts or persistent bleeding, or if it is so disruptive that it impedes the baby’s ability to complete a full feeding, it may indicate a deeper issue. In such cases, consulting with a certified lactation consultant (IBCLC) is advisable to evaluate the baby’s latch and the parent’s milk flow dynamics contributing to the frustration. A pediatrician should also be consulted if the behavior is linked to signs of severe pain or concerns about the baby’s overall well-being or weight gain.