Why Do Babies Hit and Pinch When Nursing?

Summary

Babies often hit, pinch, bite, or pull while nursing as a normal part of their growth and curiosity. These behaviors may happen when babies are teething, uncomfortable, bored, overstimulated, or frustrated by milk flow. While common, they can be painful or distracting for moms. To manage these habits, parents can use gentle redirection, offer a nursing necklace or toy, provide teething relief, or calmly unlatch and say “gentle.” Covering arms, tying up hair, or switching positions can also help. Staying patient, avoiding punishment, and reinforcing positive behaviors encourage better habits over time. Creating a calm feeding environment, using skin-to-skin contact, and paying attention to the baby during nursing supports bonding and reduces unwanted behaviors. With patience and consistency, most babies naturally outgrow hitting, pinching, and biting, making breastfeeding a more positive experience.

Babies do all kinds of silly things while nursing. The bigger they get, the more wiggly they become! From birth, babies go through various developmental stages that can influence their behaviors during nursing.

From baby bites, to tiny pinches, to painful pulls and tugs, here are some common ways infants fidget while they breastfeed, and how any mommy can deal with these actions when they happen.

Understanding What's "Normal"

Young babies often exhibit hitting and pinching actions during breastfeeding as a normal part of their development, but usually this is not a cause for concern and resolves on its own once the novelty wears off. These behaviors can appear at different ages, often becoming more noticeable as babies grow.

Babies are naturally curious creatures! Babies love to explore their surroundings, including their parents, and may hit or pinch as a way to learn about the world. And even though it’s very likely that each baby loves their mama, these troublesome habits can be annoying.

A breastfeeding baby, especially when teething, may bite or pinch due to discomfort or as a way to relieve pressure. Paying attention to other clues (excess drool, unexplained fussiness, sleep problems, chewing on hands) can give caregivers context into why their baby bites while nursing.

Understanding that your breastfeeding baby's actions are normal can help moms stay calm during feeding sessions. It’s essential to remember that if your baby bites and hits, these are not intentional and are just a natural part of the learning process as they begin to grasp objects and explore their world.

Physical Discomfort and Nursing

Babies might also exhibit a hitting motion, biting, or even bite you while eating because they are in pain. Teething infants may experience discomfort that leads to biting, pinching, or using their fingers to grab or pinch the chest during breastfeeding, especially between 6-8 months of age.

A stuffy nose or other physical illness can cause a breastfeeding baby to become fussy and hit or pinch the chest. Older babies may bite, bit, or pinch if they are not latched correctly or if the flow is too fast, causing them to gag.

They might also pull at the nipple, use their fingers to grab, or grab the breast to show they are uncomfortable and frustrated. Changes in sucking patterns, such as more frequent or shallow sucking, can also indicate discomfort or teething.

Common Unwanted Behaviors

Some unwanted behaviors may be more likely at the beginning of a feeding session, so it's important to be attentive from the start. When a baby hits and pinches, it can be distracting and painful for mama. Other habits like pulling hair, grabbing the other nipple, or biting while breastfeeding are common things that babies may exhibit as they grow.

Babies may also exhibit these quirks when they are bored, overstimulated, or trying to get attention. Sometimes, babies may want to play during nursing sessions, taking pauses to explore or move around. It can also be a way for them to signal to your body that they need more milk. It’s essential to address these actions promptly to prevent them from becoming habits over time. Hang in there and continue to nurse your baby on demand.

Using a nursing necklace or offering a toy, such as a rattle, can help distract the baby and reduce unwanted habit. You can also guide their hand to your shirt so they have something to squeeze besides your hair or arm.

Managing Biting While Breastfeeding

Biting while breastfeeding is a challenge that many parents face, especially as teething babies start to explore the world with their mouths. For young infants, biting is a part of development and is rarely a sign of aggression. Instead, it’s often a response to teething pain or simply the urge to grasp objects and experiment with their new teeth.

If your baby bites during feeding, try not to panic—this action is expected, particularly between six and nine months of age when teething is at its peak. Infants may bite to relieve pressure on their gums or teeth, while older babies might bite out of curiosity or frustration if your flow is too slow or too fast. Sometimes, a plugged nose or mild discomfort can also make them more likely to bite.

To manage biting, gently redirect. Offering a nursing necklace or a soft toy to hold can keep little hands busy and distract from biting. If your child bites, calmly unlatch them and say something simple like “no thank you” or “gentle.” This helps your baby learn that biting means a pause from feeding. For teething infants, try offering a cold teething ring or a chilled washcloth before nursing to soothe sore gums.

While biting can hurt, it won’t affect your milk supply or milk production. However, repeated biting can cause sore nipples, so it’s important to take care of yourself. Expressing milk if you need a break from direct breastfeeding can help maintain your milk flow and prevent engorgement.

Remember, infants at this age are learning to control their mouths and hands. Gently redirect their hands to a nursing necklace or your shirt, and offer something to suck on if they seem to want to chew but aren’t hungry. With patience and consistency, most children outgrow biting as they get older and more skilled at breastfeeding.

Above all, stay calm and patient. Biting is a phase that many breastfeeding parents experience, and with gentle guidance, your little one will learn to feed without hurting you. By understanding the reasons behind biting and using simple strategies to manage it, you can keep breastfeeding a positive and comfortable experience for both you and your baby.

Managing Unwanted Behavior

Your little one won’t stop biting while breastfeeding? They won’t stop slapping the breast as they eat? They always seem to pull and tug at your hair or clothing when you feed them? To manage unwanted behaviors, redirection is key! While your baby's sweet moments at the breast are heartwarming, it's common for these to be mixed with more challenging behaviors as part of your baby's development.

Saying “no” or “gentle” and unlatching the baby can help them associate the behavior with an unpleasant outcome. Offering a pacifier, teething toy, or a finger to bite on can help teething babies relieve discomfort and reduce biting.

Stay calm and patient when addressing unwanted behaviors, as yelling or punishing the baby can create negative associations with breastfeeding. Even though it might hurt if you have a baby that likes to pull your hair or pinch your breast while they feed, screaming out in pain might scare your little one and make it more difficult to overcome these quirks in the long run. Talking to your baby during nursing, using a calm and reassuring voice, can help reinforce positive behaviors and support bonding.

If your baby or toddler absentmindedly pulls your hair, be sure to tie your hair up before each breastfeeding session. If they pinch or scratch you, try covering their arm with a blanket or soft towel. If they get too squirmy, try picking them up and switching to the other breast. As toddlers grow, their increased mobility and curiosity can lead to more fidgeting or impulsive behaviors compared to infants, so gentle guidance is especially important.

Using positive reinforcement can encourage good habits and reduce unwanted behaviors. You can take their finger or arm and gently rub it along your skin, praising them for using “gentle hands.” Pay attention to when you feed your little one, too. Waiting too long between meals might make them more impatient and more likely to exhibit negative behaviors.

Supporting a Positive Nursing Experience

Creating a comfortable, calm environment can help reduce stress and promote a positive nursing experience for moms and babies. Try not to get upset by every challenge. Don't forget that you and your little one are both learning together.

Wearing comfortable clothing, keeping long hair tied back, and avoiding jewelry can reduce distractions. Using a blanket or a nursing pillow can help support the baby and promote a comfortable feeding position for both of you.

Encouraging skin-to-skin contact and talking to the baby during feeding can help create a sense of closeness and promote a positive association with breastfeeding. Try not to be distracted on your phone. Paying more attention to your baby or toddler during breastfeeding sessions can help them feel safe and comforted, and less likely to exhibit negative behaviors.

Remembering that breastfeeding is a journey and that it’s okay to ask for help when needed can help parents stay confident and supportive throughout the process. Don't be afraid to reach out for help, from a doctor, lactation consultant, or an online support group like the KeaCommunity.