Well, my son has something similar to help him lessen his stress: worry nipples. MY worry nipples, to be more clear. The child cannot keep his hands off them. If he is breastfeeding, one hand is on the breast from which he is eating and the other is invariably on the other nipple. It's not just placed there lightly, either. It is in constant motion. I'm telling you, they're worry nips!
He doesn't just use the worry nips when he's eating. Oh, no. If we are at home, my shirt shall be off. If he is in my arms, one little hand is mindlessly rubbing away at the nearest handy worry nip. If we are beside each other on the couch, you can be sure he is consulting a worry nip.
It's not something he focuses his attention on. I am fairly certain he doesn't even know he's doing it half the time. It is habit. It is comfort. It is safety. And while I write about it lightly, I actually believe it is one of the sweetest things he does. I love that I am able to provide those feelings for him. I love that he can come to me for anything - even if it is something as simple as rubbing on the ol' worry nip.
My 21 month old daughter is the exact same! Thank you for putting such a beautiful, positive spin on it! It can drive me a little crazy sometimes but this was just such a sweet way of looking at it. Thank you again :)
ReplyDeleteAoife will be 3 in October and I love how we are able to talk about things more and more. She has always been a titty twister. I thought it helped with letdown. When I ask her why she must play with my nipples she cannot tell me. But I am my daughter's lovey, her wooby, blankie, her everything. I give her many things. And I cherish the role I play as the source of comfort for her. Of course it will change. I hope she always remembers and knows I will be here for her.
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