Discipline for poor breast ettiquette?

[Luca's Mommy]

My 12 week textbook/angel baby son is normally very easy going and relaxed, but has started a very bad habit at the breast.  Every now and then, he will clamp down with his lips and then pull his head hard to one side and will sometimes thrash his head back and forth taking my nipple with...not pleasant.  How do I curtail this behavior?  Is he too young for discipline?  Right now I just hold my breath till I can manage to get him unclamped which is not an easy feat.  Then I pull him away from me a little to look in my eyes and say "Mommy doesn't like that.  That is not very nice." in a gentle yet firm voice.  Will he get the message?  This has been going on for about 2 weeks and has been getting more frequent.  I have heard other people say to give a little pull on their hair or a little bop on their nose, but I can't bring myself to do that.  Any recommendations?

TIA,
Claire

[Nikki~Nathanamp;Danielle]

I wouldn't listen to those people giving those suggestions either. 

Because you mention tugging as well, I'm wondering if your let down has changed and he's tugging to get the milk down faster? Either that, or it's a new sensation that he enjoys...

If it's teething related, I wouldn't think a baby would tug (well neither of my two ever did).

If it happens at the same time during a feed, I'd just be aware and prepare - my dd used to do it towards the end of a feed and it I'd be able to remove her before it happened. It usually comes in phases, so hang in there and try and look out for the signs and head it off rather than thinking your baby is doing something bad. If you see him starting to pull back try and insert your little finger in the side of his mouth and bear the brunt of it on your finger and then remove him.

[Samuel's mum]

Yikes on those suggestions from other people!!!!!!!!

I would say that you could certainly talk to him and explain you want him to be 'gentle' as that's a good word to develop. I would phrase in a positive, 'be gentle'.
However I think the best thing is to keep that finger ready as suggested and just take him off straight away. He is obviously very young to make an association but it will protect you!

BTW, Sam experimented with a bit of tugging pre-teeth but after almost 22 months of nursing I have never been bitten. Once or twice his teeth left indentation marks but he has never bitten me so don't feel that this is going to continue.

Your LO is just learning all these fantastic new skills. It must be so exciting. Would he enjoy a little tug of war with a muslin cloth?

[daisymelan]

One mother once suggested pushing the baby into the breast so as to release the breast.  I never had this problem so I'm not sure if it will work. 

[jbepko]

I would just be ready for a quick un-latch...also is LO tugging b/c there is something more interesing to look at? Then you might want to find a nice quiet (BORING) place to nurse.

[First Time Mom]

My dd wanted to turn her head (while latched on) every time she heard a noise, she would also reach up and grab my hair. I now put on a bracelent (non-breakable pewter with hanging things on it) and she plays with it the entire time she nurses and doesn't move her head anymore. I've also heard of nursing necklaces that do the trick.