Breastfeeding a baby who is teething?

Question

My five month old is biting, it's so cute when she smiles, then OUCH. What to do? How long did you breast feed for?

I don't respond to the pump very well- takes me forever (I have the medela pump and style- so its not the pump, its me)

Answer 1

I am breastfeeding my one year old, and he cut his first tooth at 6 months.

Here is some advice:

When they get their first teeth (particularly when they have an upper and a lower) watch like a hawk. They can not bite and actively drink at the same time. So if your daughter is prone to biting DON'T let her play around make nursing all about milk for a short time. She won't starve. And when she bites say "no" firmly but without yelling and put her down and walk away. She will figure it out.

However while their gums are actively hurting and itching they can develop a bad latch, the changes to their saliva can cause pain and they may bite more. I have gotten quite a few serious bites during teething. But you get through it. A baby can't bite your nipple off. You just need to find a way to work around it. Just when you think you can't take anymore the tooth will come in, the gums will stop hurting and everything will be fine for awhile.

Also if you get a cut on your nipple from a bite, and it won't heal even if you don't think it is infected put a small amount of polysporin on 2-3 times a day. *lol* The only time he broke skin it just wouldn't heal. Turned out to be infected. Polysporin is safe in small quantities. If you are really concerned you can wash your nipple off before the next feed.

Answer 2

All three of my children nursed well beyond a year, so they all had teeth and they all went through this phase. Thankfully, it's something you can teach them not to do.

The first thing I would suggest is that you look to see if there is any pattern to when she tends to bite. Is it at the beginning, middle or end of a feeding?

If it's at the beginning, it may very well be due to teething pain. Offer her some Hyland's Teething Tablets or something cold to chew on before nursing.

If she is biting in the middle of a feeding, maybe she is just playing around to get a reaction out of you? Or maybe she is trying to signal that she if finished?

If it is at the end of the feeding and she is falling asleep, it may very well be that you aren't supporting her head well enough. They can get a sensation of falling if they are nodding off and the head isn't well supported.....so they clamp down to "catch" themselves.

Keep a hand close by so you can slip a finger in and break the suction to take her off if you think she is done or is getting ready to bite.

If she does bite, pull her IN to your breast. She will have to let go in order to breathe.

If she bites, tell her firmly "no biting" then end the nursing session and put her down somewhere safe for a few minutes. After this happens a few times, she'll get the idea that if she bites, you won't nurse her for a while. She won't like that and she'll stop.

Also, try not to have a huge reaction if you get bitten. Sometimes if you yell or react really big, they think it's funny and keep it up for entertainment.

Hope that helps!

Answer 3

Both of my kids were the same way. Started developing teeth real early so yeah, i feel ya on the ouch thing so this is what i tried and it did work for a while.
When you feel the teeth starting to clench down, stick your finger by the infants teeth and help inforce the sucking without the biting and pulling from the teeth. They also might just be teething and using your nipple as a teething quide. So i recoment getting a teething device for them to use in between feedings.

Answer 4

My daughter is doing this as well. I have been told that you are suppose to take them off the breast when they bit and tell them no and let them cry for a minute then let them latch back on and keep doing the same thing till they stop. I don't know if it works or not. I am trying to wein (Sp?) her off right now because it's getting too hard to pump at work but would like to keep breastfeeding in the morning and before bed. Hope this helps.

Answer 5

Ouch! I could only breastfeed for 4 mos, but my sister-in-law has plenty of milk and nurses her babies till 1 yr. She lets her natural reaction be the baby's cue to stop biting. Usually its something along the lines of, "Ouch, don't bite mama!" This startles the baby enough (this may not work for a really sensitive child) to make him/her let go and is punishment enough in itself. It has worked extremely well.

Answer 6

My youngest daughter was born with teeth and I breastfed her and OUCH is right. I only got to breastfeed for a month though because she is allergic to milk.

When she bites stick your finger in the corner of her mouth causing her to release. Then firmly let her know that it hurts. Of course she is rather young and won't get it right away but she will eventually.

Answer 7

breast feeding is great for a baby and also helps mom loose her pregnancy weight faster i know people that have gone up to 9 months but i think thats about to far i would think you should go get a breast pump and pump your milk and feed her through a bottle that way she is still gettin all the nutrients she needs and u feel better to no more bite marks (lol)

Answer 8

when she bites you take your nipple away from her sit her up and say no. firm but not mean. that should work. i breastfeed for a year. good luck.

Answer 9

I don't have personal experience, but have been told that nipple shields work wonders in this situation. It's still not comfortable when they bite, but it's a lot better.

Best of luck!

Answer 10

Your brave girlfriend. It's time to stop breastfeeding. Unless you want to be less a nipple? The most important time in a child's life to breastfeed is the first 6 weeks. You can stop it any time you wish. If you want to continue feeding your child breast milk, then get a pump and bottle it, place them in the freezer and warm it in the microwave or hot water.