My little girl is 5months old and has two bottom teeth which she is biting me with and quite often, I dont want to shout at her or hurt her as that is very cruel and she is too young to understand NO, I shout when she does it as it hurts initially but im trying not to as she thinks its a game and is funny. Anyone got any tried and tested methods, shields dont work as she thinks its a bottle end and bites even more, I only feed her at 7am and 7pm on breast as she takes bottle at 11am and 3pm. Hope someone can help me and fast before i lose my nipples......
2006-10-11 23:40:31 · 24 answers · asked by Darceysmummy 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
i know expressing milk into bottles is a good idea but unfortunately that takes us to the next problem - the breast is the only thing that settles her to sleep at night, I might try expressing for morning feeds but still leaves me with problem of night time feed
2006-10-12 00:08:27 · update #1
Hi there. I can only share with you what worked for me. You can not let her continue to bite as that will eventually lead to such sore nipples that you will not want her to nurse at all! It is important that she understand that she cannot bite you. Your situation is further complicated by the fact that she takes a bottle for some of her feedings. She can bite that rubber nipple all she wants and there are no repercussions. This is what I would do and what I did when my babies bit. Say "no" firmly and slid your finger between your nipple and her mouth, breaking the connection. Don't yell at her of course but your normal exclamation of pain is good, it lets her know that she has done something to you that hurts. She will come to associate biting with the interuption of the pleasure of nursing which I am sure she loves. I would wait a few minutes and then try again. The second she bites, repeat the procedure. It may take a few times but even at 5 months old she is capable of learning that biting Mommy will stop that lovely sweet milk from getting in her mouth!
It worked for me and I hope it works for you.
She could also be teething which will give her the urge to bite. Plus, as I said she has probably picked up the bad habit from chewing on those rubber nipples. She CAN learn the difference though.
Good Luck and most of all, Do not let this discourage you from breastfeeding. It is a precious gift that only you can give your baby.
Blessings
Lady T
2006-10-12 01:58:34 · answer #1 · answered by Lady Trinity 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
WHEN does she bite? Beginning of a feeding? End? Anytime in between?
It could very well be that the bottles you are giving her has brought on the biting. She may be frustrated because the milk flows faster from the bottles than from the breast. Be sure you are using slow-flow nipples on the bottles.
If she bites, try NOT to yell or have a big reaction as she may think it's a game. Tell her firmly "NO" and put her down on the floor or in her crib. Wait a few minutes and then try again.
If she clamps down, you can pull her IN to the breast so she has to let go to breathe. That's usually the best way to get them to let go.
Could she be biting due to teething? Try some Hyland's Teething Tablets or something cold to chew on prior to nursing. DO NOT use Orajel as it numbs the mouth and may make nursing more difficult.
2006-10-12 08:41:50 · answer #2 · answered by momma2mingbu 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My daughter did the same thing at that age and my wise sister in law who is a mother to 4 children under the age of 5 and breastfed each one for over a year told me to ignore it other than putting your finger in the babies mouth and breaking the suction. If your baby is biting she is not latched on properly and is just using you to teeth. I also started using a little baby orajel about 5 minutes before I would nurse her and that seemed to help. Be careful making too big a deal of it or she might go on a nursing strike which happened to me. Before calling my s-i-l, I yelped when she would bite me and then she rejected the breast altogether for a couple of days. Just hang in there and this will pass. Please don't give up any feedings as this time will pass so quickly and you will probably regret it if you don't work through this biting stage. My daughter is 9 months old now and I am so glad I hung in there. She has 6 teeth and very seldom tries to bite. Good luck!!
2006-10-12 08:37:05 · answer #3 · answered by busybusymom 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As a midwife and former breastfeeding mum, all I can say is - as long as you're both enjoying feeding then carry on. The biting phase in my son's case was quite temporary, although I can identify with how much IT HURTS! Maybe try taking her off if she's biting and start again. And keep talking to her - they pick up a lot from gestures and tone of voice.
Tricky situation, but just wanted to say I know where you're coming from and sympathise... Might be worth trying to get advice from La Leche League (sure they must have a website) or another breatsfeeding support service. Good luck.
2006-10-12 06:55:18 · answer #4 · answered by Emily B 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Oh I hurt in memory and in sympathy for you! I had the best luck by immediately removing the little bum from my breast and putting them down- or handing them off to Dad. I'd tap them on the little fangs and tell them I didn't like it. That would be it for about 5-10 minutes, hungry or not. If they bit a second time, it was a repeat of the hand-off, except it would be an even longer wait for dinner. If they were nearly finished, I would sometimes simply leave them go without the last bit to top off. The last baby was a real wonder, he managed to bring blood. I had to wait a day for it to heal a bit, so had to pump. I didn't give it to him in a bottle though, I made his use a sippy cup (he was nearly 8 months by then). He didn't mind the cup for water or juice, but he wasn't happy to get mom in a cup at all. After that, I kept the sippy cup (empty) in reach. When he started to nip, I'd pick it up and show it to him- and remind him mom could always come in the cup! I really think he understood, because as soon as the cup came in view- he'd back off.
2006-10-12 06:56:28 · answer #5 · answered by The mom 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mine did the same so I pulled it out of her mouth and did tell her no not yelling and shook my head also no with a sadish look on my face. She got the idea fast if she bite she got no milk....Don't stop breast feeding its the best thing in the world between a mother and child I breast feed till she was 2 then twice a day its a shame its so taboo in the US
2006-10-12 06:52:10 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Every time she does it say "No" firmly and simply take her off the breast and ignore her demands for a minute or two. Then tell her she can have some more if she does not bite. If she bites again then just repeat the process. She'll soon learn that biting = no milk and will stop.
2006-10-12 06:45:10 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
She is not biting on purpose......it's just a reflex.......the most you can do is stick your finger in between your boob and her mouth and pop her out.......don't TUG it out....
and it will be your reflex to tug but don't tug........
And this may sound cruel but it works......and I know I've heard other people tell me about this too......
pull your baby towards your breast for a brief moment....
this cuts their air supply and they automatically open their mouths.....
it's a good cause and effect for them to learn......
because the word NO doesn't really do anything......they just hear you yelling......
and NO is not a word to be over-used and in the wrong context because she is not biting you on a purpose like a toddler would be doing that and that is wrong......but it's different for a 5 month old.
P.S. don't listen to these people that are telling you to stop breastfeeding.....alot of mothers breastfeed their babies till they are one and some till two.......you aren't the only one who has experienced biting. It's normal
Don't stop breastfeeding......it's the best thing for your baby.
here are some links to help you.
2006-10-12 08:33:34 · answer #8 · answered by Joogie 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You might have to accept that you can no longer do this, if thats the case try breast pump and bottle. You have done well to get this far and the milk will still be as good, just from a bottle instead of the breast.
2006-10-12 06:58:50 · answer #9 · answered by michelle a 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
i know how it feels. and this was what i did.
everytime my baby bites me, i'll remove him from my breast and tell him very firmly "NO". whenever i stop him for the feeding he cries. after a few times, he'll understand that if he bites he wouldnt have any milk. i breastfeed my boy til he was 8 months old cos i had to stop when i was posted to work overseas for a month..
and yes they may not understand NO now but they'll learn.
=)
i understand that breastfeeding can be very tiring. but i feel its very rewarding.
2006-10-12 07:16:10 · answer #10 · answered by allee 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋