Breastfeeding a Teething Baby... OUCH!!

Hi K.,

I am a mom of two and nursed both for over a year. Just look at her firmly and tell her NO. That hurts mommy. She will understand and not do it any more.

This is something that we all have gone through. Nursing is one of the most difficult things a mom can do for her child. Keep up the good work.

you can do it! keep that breastfeeding!
I breastfed both my boys until 15months old & THANKFULLY
I didn't have too many biting issues.
I was told to actually push their faces IN when they start to bite- seems counterintuitive, but for whatever reason it works!
www.kellymom.com is an excellent breastfeeding resource & at times like yours, I would hop on the site & do a search & find out what can be done.

what also works is to end the nursing session for a moment when this happens. try not to yell, but say very s-l-o-w-l-y and very distinctly, enunciating everything, say"
NO BITING! HURTS MAMA!
then place baby down & walk away.
this is called 'social isolation'
basically baby doesn't want to be alone!
this is NOT a 'time-out!'
this is sending a message that when you bite, you are
removed from the situation...

it'll work out :-)

Dear K.,
You can do it...Keep it up. The benefits to the baby far out weigh the discomfort. when you say ouch, or scream like i did they usually realize the mistake they have made. I breast fed all 3 of my kids but the last one in particular because i was home stayed on the boobie til nearly 4 years and i can count on one hand how many times he bit me. The others til 9 months and 15 months, i can't even remember it happening with them,so it couldn't have been that bad??!!So although the pain is excruiating in the moment i think it is something that doesn't happen often enough to warrant giving up...This was my personal experience however...hope it helps.
From R. in Miami

I went through this phase as well and am emphathetic to your pain. As soon as you feel the bite, slide your finger in to break the seal and take baby off quickly while saying no firmly and as calmly as you can. Say "no biting" and put child away from you. You must take a break from the session so they know it is not ok for this to happen. Mine drew blood once and I called my ped who said it was fine to continue nursing. Needless to say, I skipped that side for a few sessions! GL!

I have just gotten through a VERY LONG biting phase (maybe a month?). My son is very attached to the breastfeeding so I knew it wasn't an option to stop. But, my natural action of gasping and reacting in pain got his attention pretty quickly. I would do what other moms here have recommended and take him off the breast and tell him no biting, it hurts me. At first, he would get very upset and would bite me over and over. I don't think he knew how to do it differently to stop. But, eventually he figured out a way to nurse without biting and he doesn't do it anymore! Yahoo!!! :-) Good luck to ya!

Hi K.,

I am a breastfeeder my son is 19 months and has a mouth full of teeth and we still breast feed. In your mommy voice when ever she does it say NO don't bite mommy and put her down and walk away (for a minute) then come back and continue... My son was an early teether and we went through it also. Try not to stop it really is the best thing you can do for them...
If you have any beastfeeding questions I'd be happy to help.