Biting me when I'm trying to nurse him?

Question

My six month old has 2 teeth on the bottom and I think he is getting some more on the top, last night when I tried to nurse him, as we always do at the same time everynight before he goes to bed, he bit me. It wasn't just like a nip though, he bit down really hard, I told him no don't bite mommy and of course he thought it was funny. But he kept doing it! He did it about 5 times, I even switched breasts to see if that might help, but it didn't. So in the end I had to rock him to sleep, which I have NEVER had to do. He has nursed everynight to sleep ever since he was born. So I figured that when he woke up again it would be fine and he would nurse as usual, but once again he bit me several times and I had to rock him to sleep. Has anyone had this problem? Oh and I should mention that he WILL NOT drink formula, he is a high needs baby and he knows what he wants and doesn't want, and he doesn't want formula otherwise I would just wean him onto a sippy cup because he wont drink fromabottle

Answer 1

My son did this too and I just told him NO very firmly and out him on the floor and walked away. It took a few times but he got it pretty quickly that if he bit he got no milk. We went on to enjoy nursing for several more months.

Answer 2

1) He can not bite if he is actively drinking and nursing with teeth will not hurt if he is latched properly.

2) If he is biting at the begining of feeds he may just be impatient. Try doing some breast massage and hand expressing a little bit just to get things going.

BUT for the next few days, and I know this is going to be hard with a high-needs baby, ok. I do understand. ONLY FEED HIM WHEN HE IS ABSOLUTELY STARVING! Ok, not actually starving, but really hungry. He will be too hungry to bite. I did this with my baby, and many moms I know have had success doing the same thing. It will be tough not to comfort nurse, but remember it is just for a few days. Hopefully he will go back to eating once the novelty of the teeth wears off, although if his gum are sore he may continue to bite.

When he does bite, say no (very seriously) and put the boobies away saying "All gone"(in a happy tone). Let him cry for 30 seconds or so and they give them back saying "No biting!" in a very serious tone.

As a LAST resort you can try a nipple shield, but there is a fair chance your baby will not take one. But he may.

Also, just so you know, once you have it all worked out, once the next batch of teething starts his latch may go off and that can hurt pretty bad too. Time to dust off everything you know about latching.

Also contact your local La Leche League for assistance: http://llli.org/ab.html?m=1 (select your country in the upper right)

However, it will get better, you will get through it if you are determined to. It only took about 5 days for me to stop the biting (mostly) and then another month to learn when he is most likely to bite and prevent it. (IE trying to get him to nurse more so he will sleep when he doesn't want to)

And I have gotten over my latest bad latch hurdle. BTW should it come up, you can use polysporin on your nipples. I had wound on my nipple that wouldn't heal and that finally helped. Just use a little, and wipe you nipples before feeding if you are concerned. (Also I nursed on one side until the other side was engorged for about a week and my supply was fine.)

So, like I said, you will find a way to get through this! It will get better!

IM me or email if you want, even if you just want someone to ***** at!

Answer 3

There will be people who jump on here and start telling you to wean. Don't listen to them. Biting is NOT a reason to wean and it CAN be solved.

Biting at the start of a feeding is often linked to teething pain. If he is acting like that, take him off and give him a teether to chew on, an ice cube in a mesh feeding bag, some teething tablets, etc. Then offer to nurse again in a little bit.

If you have a big reaction, they do often think it is funny. Firmly and calmly, say "no biting" and then put him down for a few minutes. Make him wait to be latched back on to nurse again. This is usually really effective.

Keep your finger nearby to take him off the breast if he does clamp down.

You can pull him IN to your chest if he bites and he will have to let go to breathe.

Answer 4

Tell him No Biting in a very firm voice and hand him over to your husband or set him down on the floor and leave the room for a few minutes. He may cry and become upset but that is better than him biting you. When you return if he is still upset try to nurse him and make sure he is latched. If he is latched properly, he will not be able to bite you.

Or if he is still laughing and thinks that is funny that you have put him down, the next time he bites you, take him off and gently bite him back and tell him no biting.

If he gets a little sheepish smile going, take him off before he starts to bite. Watch him, you will be able to tell when he wants to bite.

My son bit me once when his two bottom teeth came in and it hurt but when I told him no biting and left the room he did not try it for awhile. When his top teeth came in, he wanted to bite me but I knew what to look for and I just took him off before he had a chance to chomp down!

My son just turned a year and he still nurses and has not tried to bite me while nursing for quite some time now.

I hope this helps and good luck to you.

Answer 5

Try just tapping his bottom teeth with your finger as you pull him away and sternly say "NO" - this will give your son the idea that he's not allowed to bite. You don't have to go overboard at all with it - but the startle of the sound and the different sensation in his mouth may help.

Answer 6

You may think I am mean, but when my son did this I took my finger and gently flicked him under his chin when he did it. It was the hardest thing I have ever done (my mother in law said she would stand by me and do it if I did not- he bit so hard he made me bleed) and he looked really shocked, did it again gentle so I did it again, and he stopped. Mostly they do it for reaction, and you making a funny face and saying OW is a reaction. They grow out of it, and I agree with the 1st answer- DON'T WEAN yet- it will pass.

Answer 7

I had someone tell me to give them a little nudge on the nose. My kids never did this. I know he's only 6 months old, but be firm with him and you should be able to find a way to make him stop. You know him better than anyone else.

Answer 8

My view on breastfeeding was that as soon as my son got teeth, he was going to the bottle! Buy a breastbump. If you can't afford one, the hospital you had your baby at should let you rent one. Try consignment shops. And if you go to places like Baby's R Us, they have bottles with nipples that mimic the breast. If he still won't drink from a bottle, just let him sit it out until he accepts it. Also, ask your pediatrician if it is all right to start him on baby food. It might slow down his urge to drink milk and might not be so picky where he's getting it from. My doctor always told me that if they're hungry enough, they'll eat. Just try to be strong and Good luck!!!

Answer 9

You may have to give him a little thump on the cheek to get his attention. He thinks you are playing a game that's why he laughs. He will stop or you will just have to deal with it.

Answer 10

Time to take him off your nipple, and onto something else he won't hurt.

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