Am I wrong to ween my biting baby at ten months? I feel guilty, but in terrible "nipple"pain!?

Answer 1

Your doctor will tell you that your baby is too young for cow's milk (i.e., breastmilk from a different species) at 10 months of age. If you wean at 10 months, you will have to give your baby formula. Why would you want to give your baby something that falls so far short of breastmilk when you have already been giving him or her a far healthier and superior food source successfully for so long? Do not fall for the "formula is as good as breastmilk" argument -- it is completely false. Even formula companies will tell you that the breast is best.

If you are in pain, something is wrong. Don't solve it by taking your food away from your baby, solve it by addressing the problem. If your baby is biting, this is a very common problem and can be fixed. Both of my breastfed babies also went through a biting phase for a short period of time, but the problem has since been fixed and my second child is still nursing (and I am pain-free) at 13 months of age.

If you are feeling guilty, it is natural. It is natural to feel guilty about considering depriving your baby of his or her needs, or at least filling them to the best of your ability. I sympathize with you, because I know from experience that breastfeeding isn't always easy (as I said before, both of my babies went through a biting stage -- this can be more painful when the teeth come in early. I also have had repeated cases of mastitis).

Think about why you decided to breastfeed. Did you make that decision because it's easy or because it's fun? I know I didn't, although there are lots of benefits that include positive bonding. I do it to nourish my babies to the best of my ability. If you think of it that way, it seems silly to stop when the "fun" ends or when you encounter a problem. Breastfeeding, LIKE BOTTLE-FEEDING, is almost never trouble-free. We all encounter problems, and the true test is whether you seek help to correct the problem or just give up. Your baby needs you. PLEASE don't let him or her down.

La Leche League is available to you free of charge, 24 hours a day. I urge you to contact your local LLL leader. They are friendly and knowledgable and can help you through this difficult time. Your baby doesn't need to stop nuring, and you don't have to be in pain, either!

Feel free to email me ANYTIME with breastfeeding questions. I'd love to help you any way I can!

Answer 2

It isn't wrong, though as you know breastmilk is best for at least the first year, if not the first to.

There are ways to prevent biting, an actively sucking baby CAN NOT BITE. Some babies bite because the milk is too slow (for them) to come in. Breast massage can help with this. Some babies bite at the end of the feeding because they are just messing around, for this you just need to watch and take them off the breast when they are done.

I'm not going to lie to you every time they are teething badly many babies latch badly causing sore nipples, and they tend to bite more because they are in pain. When they are teething the best advice -and really trust me I've been there with the screaming and even a bite so bad it bled - is to only nurse when the baby is really hungry. Yes nursing on demand is best, but to get you through 2-4 days of teething h*ll do what you have to.

Another option is to use a nipple shield to protect your nipples, however many older babies will not take them.

Please, join your local La Leche League where you will find TONNES of breastfeeding moms that can help figure out why your baby is biting and how to prevent it:
http://www.llli.org/WebUS.html
(Change the country in the upper right if you are not American)

Also read:
When Baby Bites
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/older-baby/biting.html

Why are my nipples sore after months of pain-free nursing?
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/older-baby/sorenipples-older.html

The Distractible Baby
http://www.kellymom.com/babyconcerns/distractible-baby.html

Teething
http://www.kellymom.com/babyconcerns/teething.html

Also please e-mail me if you want to chat.

Answer 3

No, you're not wrong. If you are no longer comfortable and it has become something that you don't look forward to because the baby is biting, then maybe it's time to wean. Nursing should be relaxing, and it sounds like it's not for you any more. Good job going 10 months! My son weaned himself by 8 months. He refused to nurse, but would still take breast milk from a bottle. He was on that for about three more months and then weaned himself from the bottle by 11.5 months. I hope you have the same great luck!

Answer 4

The older the baby, the less nutrition it gets from your milk. I assume your 10-month old eats a variety of other food and is not allergic to baby formula. If that is the case, ween and don't feel guilty.

Answer 5

Don't feel guilty, formulas are made to be very comparable to breastmilk. Kudos for you having lasted so long. My son is 10 months tomorrow and I am considering weaning him. One problem you may encounter...my son hates formula, no matter how much I hide it. I have tried mixing with breastmilk and he figured that out. Hope that works for you. Another reason to not feel guilty...studies show that if you continue breastfeading beyond a year you need to add vitamin supplements because it does not provide many of the needed nutrients for a growing toddler. Ask your pediatrician and research it. So you've done a wonderful job.

My pediatrician also recommended flicking of the cheek. Not hitting or slapping...just a flick. She says it works!

Answer 6

I know how that feels and no your not wrong you can ween them from 6 months so dont feel bad I think another thing that might be making you feel bad is the fact that us as mothers feel like its our bonding time with our babies and we too feel bad and sad to ahve to let that time go. Good luck and dont feel bad your child wont even remember it soon :)

Answer 7

Your not wrong. I think if the baby is biting you maybe they shouldn't be nursing anymore or even on a bottle regularly. That's old enough to start eating some soft foods and trying sippy cups.

Answer 8

I know it may sound awful, but when my baby bit me, I'd flick the side of it's mouth to her her attention and point out that was not good. She learned very quickly not to bite mommy!

Answer 9

You are not wrong. You can also pump the milk out and give it to your baby threw a bottle.

Answer 10

Not wrong at all...I started at 7-1/2 months for the same reason. You can still pump and put it in a bottle if you want.