Pinching Baby

My daughter began biting me while nursing and this worked for my son as well, so it might just help with your daughter.

What I did was say in a stern voice while looking straight into her or his eyes, "You are hurting mommy. You are hurting mommy's body." (I added "and my feelings." when my son got older with hitting.) and then left him/he alone in the room in a safe place for a minute or less. A baby style time out. The separation from me physically worked wonders. They never cried or anything. They seemed a little surprised and just stopped the behavior after 3 or so times.

Also, I forgot to add that you need to show your baby how you like to be touched. Put your finger into the center of her palm to open her hand, and then gently take her by the wrist and have her stroke your face or shoulder gently while telling her in a very loving voice "Oh so nice, I love your soft hands. Gentle hands make mommy feel so good. etc." I'm sure you get the picture.

Good luck!

Lisa Z. gave some good tips.

My children did that at about that age, but they did it to my Mom (Grandma)... because her 'grandma' skin was soft/wrinklier/and easier to grab. But yes, it hurt.
We basically did the same thing... Grandma or me telling them that it hurts, then taking their hands away and then instead caressing their hands and gently motioning their hands and saying "gentle...like this..." to them.
Eventually they get it and they understand.

Another thing you can do, is give your daughter something she can 'pinch." In some kids... it is a natural instinct to 'twiddle' (pinch) the nipple of a Mom to get the milk going...it's this innate gesture they have. It's not 'pinching' per say, but an instinctual functional gesture to get the milk flowing, and it's comforting. For example, my son, does this to the ears of his cow lovey. He pinches and rolls the ears between his fingers. Its a 'comfort' thing... and not to 'hurt' something. And some kids do this to the corners of their blanket 'lovey' too. So I would try that too... giving her another object to 'pinch.' Your daughter probably does this at nap/bed time, because not to hurt you...but something about it is 'comforting' to her, and when she is tired and about to sleep.

My son, used to do this to his bottle too... to the nipple. It didn't matter if the bottle was empty.... he just liked to hold and 'pinch' and twiddle the bottle nipple as he fell asleep. Its an instinct thing, which I mentioned above.

All the best. It'll pass, It being a phase.
Susan

I gave my daughter a pacifier, with a handle... that helped. remember, she doesn't understand that it hurts, and is not trying to hurt you...
good luck
R.