Baby Behavior While Breastfeeding: Everything You Need to Know
Need the “too long, didn’t read” version? Most baby behavior while breastfeeding is completely normal. Babies wave their arms, touch mom’s face, kick, twiddle, and play with their hands while nursing. There’s nothing wrong with any of these activities, but there are ways to help keep your baby on task. And it’s never too early to redirect your baby to polite breastfeeding behavior!
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Nice things babies do while nursing
Babies are curious about the world around them and eager to explore and test out any new skills they are developing. Sometimes, you’ll see this in behaviors like…
What if my baby touches my face while nursing?
Your baby is exploring your face and feeling the different textures and contours of your lips, nose, and cheeks. If you want to encourage this behavior, try gently “nibbling” on your baby’s fingers or kissing their hand.
But this behavior might not be so sweet if your baby is sticking their fingers up your nose or pulling on your lips. If you don’t like what your baby is up to, try redirecting them to touch a part of your face that is okay. Hold their hand and help them touch a toy or another part of you
What if my baby swings her arm while nursing?
Babies swing their arms for a lot of different reasons. They may be working off extra energy, practicing their arm movements, or be excited or frustrated. As they get older, they will start clapping or waving to show they are excited.
If you’ve had enough of the “boob rodeo,” try giving your baby something to hold, like a toy or burp cloth, or hold their hand.
Why does my baby move so much while nursing?
There are many different reasons a baby moves while nursing. Very young babies may move and squirm if you have a strong letdown and the torrent of milk flow is too much. Likewise, if your breasts are engorged, your baby may struggle to latch. They may move around in frustration.
Older babies love to wiggle and move while nursing. They may
- Kick
- Push with their feet
- Try to rotate to a different position
- Move to look at something interesting
- Try out a new skill they are working on, like rolling over, sitting, or standing
- Experiment with switching to the other breast…
The list goes on and on. Gymnurstics, as I like to call them, are totally normal. Try to help your baby with whatever skill they are working on. Try out different nursing positions that keep them busy. And, as always, try playing with a toy or blanket with your baby.
My baby squeezes my breast while nursing. What’s up with that?
Science has actually shown that newborns are meant to use their hands while nursing! Squeezing the breast helps stimulate milk letdown, and using their hands helps them learn to latch properly. As long as your baby isn’t hurting you, squeezing the breast while nursing is fine.
Not-so-nice things babies do while nursing
Not everything a baby does while nursing is cute or funny. If the behavior is painful or annoying, check out Kellymom’s guide to teaching a baby good breastfeeding manners.
Why is my baby twiddling while nursing?
Your baby is exploring your body, but this one can be really annoying. Try wearing a bra or shirt and covering up the breast your baby isn’t nursing on. Or, offer a toy, cloth, or nursing necklace.
What if my baby hits me while breastfeeding? (Or pinches, or slaps)?
Some behaviors are not appropriate while nursing. First, try gentle redirection with a toy, blanket, or nursing necklace.
If they continue, tell your child in a firm voice “If you keep hitting me, we will stop nursing.” Be careful your tone does not scare them.
If they continue the behavior, stop breastfeeding and explain why you stopped, using simple words. “I can’t nurse you while you’re hitting me. Let’s go play and we will nurse in a little while.” Wait a few minutes to begin nursing again, or wait until your child asks.
Related post: The best breastfeeding books for both parents
Why does my baby hit me while nursing?
Babies may hit for different reasons while nursing. Very young babies are just learning to use their hands and are practicing all the different things they can do with them.
Older babies may hit, pat, poke, or tap to try to get your attention.
How do I get my baby to stop hitting me while nursing?
Try distracting your baby to encourage them to stop hitting you while nursing.
Many babies enjoy playing peek-a-boo, holding a toy or rattle, or hearing you sing or talk. While focusing on playing, your baby will likely stop hitting you.
As a bonus, since you’re wearing the nursing necklace, your baby can’t throw it on the floor!
What behavior is normal while nursing?
Many of our readers want to understand if their baby should be doing whatever they are doing while nursing. Asking these questions and seeing all these different behaviors is totally normal!
- Why does my baby move so much while nursing?
- My baby kicks while breastfeeding
- What if the baby touches my face while nursing?
- Why do babies put their hands in your mouth when breastfeeding?
- Why does my baby grab my face while nursing?
- Help! My baby puts his fingers in my mouth while breastfeeding.
- My baby covers their face while breastfeeding
- Baby swinging arm while nursing
- Is pinching during breastfeeding normal?
- My baby kicks while nursing
- The baby squeezes my boob while nursing
- Twisting and turning their bodies
The movements, their frequency, and variety depends on your baby’s age and personality. And just because these are normal behaviors does not mean you need to tolerate them if they bother you!
In addition, if your pediatrician agrees that your baby is growing at a healthy rate, these activities do not indicate a problem
Baby hand movements while nursing
Some typical hand movements your baby may try out while breastfeeding include:
- Baby putting their hands in mom’s mouth
- Waving arms
- Baby pets me while nursing
- Swinging arms
- Baby grabs my face
- Baby holds my hand while nursing
What is a nursing necklace?
A nursing necklace is a great way to help focus your distracted baby. The silicone beads provide e a new feel and texture for your baby, and they come in lots of fun colors. Wear it around your neck while nursing and offer it to your baby to distract them from bad habits. I sometimes add “charms” to my nursing necklace, like teethers, to spice things up.
What other things can I do to keep my baby busy while nursing?
- Stroke your baby’s head. This may calm them
- Hold your baby’s hand
- While holding your baby’s hand, help them touch or point to different things, while you narrate. “That’s your ear! Here’s your shirt!” Bonus – this may encourage them to touch their own clothing or body instead of yours!
- Clap or wave with your baby’s hand
- Play finger games, like patty cake, itsy bitsy spider, or baby shark, or even this little piggy
- Play peekaboo with a blanket
- Give your baby a blanket, burp cloth, or small toy to hold. I like these little bath toys, like these ones from Amazon. They have different textures and they come in a pack of 8 for when my daughter inevitably loses them or the dogs chew on them. Or try a nursing necklace
- Try using a finger puppet, like this one from Amazon. Use it to talk or sing to your baby or tickle them! My daughter loves when they dance or move closer and further away!
- Wear a colorful scarf for your baby to play with
- Sing a song
- Read a book out loud. It can be a kid’s or adult book.
Check out this Teething Necklace from Amazon.
Conclusions: Baby behavior while breastfeeding
It’s important to keep in mind that many of your baby’s behaviors while breastfeeding will change quickly. As they learn new skills, your baby will experiment with new activities. Be patient, they will move on to a new behavior while breastfeeding soon! And hopefully one that’s more mom- friendly!
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