I Have a Biter!

I used to have that problem with my kids... I just let repositioned them. I sometimes supplemented them with formula...Maybe she telling ya she's done with breastfeeding but before you would quit I would try to repostion them. here's a number you can call and ask them to give you breastfeeding tip when babies end up getting teeth and biting...###-###-#### its the local WIC office. if its not the prefix it might be 793 I get them confused sometimes.

I hope you have good luck...
Kel

Ouch! I'm not sure I have any good ideas for you since my son only bit once and it worked when I ssaid "Ouch! No biting! No milk if you bite." But one thought is, when is she biting, at what stage of the nursing session does it occur? If it is somewhat consistent, like 10 minutes into the session, you could anticipate ending the session by then. Also try to limit your reaction since the screaming may be backfiring with her and it actually encourages her. You could also try giving her a teether before or after the session. And talk to her during the session about being gentle and not biting mommy. But sorry, no magic tricks.

My daughter was not a biter; but my son sure was. He would giggle like crazy at any reaction from me. In fact it was really hard to deal with, because part of me would be crying due to the pain and part of me would be giggling because he was so obviously having fun being naughty that it was so damn cute. And overall I'd be trying so hard not to react so as not to reinforce the behavior. So I sympathize, its really tough! Telling him "no" and pulling him off etc never worked for my son either. What did work was a tip I got from my nursing/pumping work board at the time. Which was, when he bit, instead of pulling him off hte breast I would (very gently of course) instead squash his little face into the breast. T hey instinctively pull back to ensure they can breathe etc. This 'aversion' tactic - learning that if they bite, they get squashed in - worked better for my son. Good luck,
J. (mom to a 5 year old daughter and 3 year old boy, both nursed for about one year)

You may also want to gently press her head against your breast when she bites you. This worked for a friend of mine and I've read that this is also a solution when babies bite when breastfeeding.

I would suggest a breast shield, they are used sometimes in the beginning when the baby has difficulty attaching right, or your nipples are sore after pumping and nursing. You can get them from LALACHE, your ob/gyn, your pediatrician and whereever nursing products are sold. It will protect those sensitive nipples and she should be able to latch the same after a few initial trials to get used to it. I bled the first 3 weeks of breastfeeding and without them, I would've had to stop.

My second did this too~! Oooooh, it hurts so much sometimes and makes nursing so unpleasant.

Try giving her homeopathic Rescue Remedy before nursing. It will calm her down emotionally. If you have never tried Rescue, it is great for teething and irritability in general. There are also homeopathic teething tablets that definitely help. All are available at co-ops and Whole Foods. They are completely safe, effective and work great.

A seven month old doesn't know the meaning of "no" or your screams. Try crying in earnest - big tears. Babies do understand tears. I found that when I cried tears, she really felt bad - when I screamed and got angry, she laughed.

Hi Tess,
oooooooooowwwwwwwwwwwwww!
I totally feel your pain. Both my son and daughter did this!!! With my first, a nurse told me to gently pull him in to my breast so that he was a bit smothered for two or three seconds(couldn't breathe)and then he would let go. Everytime he bit, I pulled him in. After a couple of times of being pulled in, he stopped. For my daughter, same thing. It worked for me :) This both started happening around six months.
I hope this helps!
It's the only thing that worked for me. I told them "no" sternly. I flicked their little noses (and felt terrible doing it!), I stopped that nursing session, and once I actually pulled my son off my breast while his teeth were still attached- BIG painful mistake!!!!!
Good for you for nursing. It's a challenge, but so worth it :)

Blessings to you!
G. H

It may be time to introduce solid foods. My understanding is that at that age, she is looking for something to chomp on and help with the pain of teething. I am not sure if you have pumped and tried bottle feeding also if it becomes too painful. Otherwise to get her to stop, I have heard that a VERY stern "No Biting" and ending the feeding is the most appropriate response.

I too had a biter. I think it is something that most moms deal with. Anyways, seems me that your daughter enjoys your reaction, enough to continue to do it everytime. I would stop responding, that way it won't be any fun for her to bite you. I know it is hard to do especially when we are talking about nipples but the less you respond the less she will bite. Good Luck!!

Luckily, my daughter has only bitten me a couple of times. I have said "ouch" and told her "no" and she cries like I just hurt her feelings. I was told by a lactation consultant that if a baby bites it is best to not react verbally, but gently push their face into your breast so that they cannot breathe. They will instinctively let go and that it will only take a few times for them to stop completely. Good luck!

Hi Tess, my daughter was the same way. I was thinking while reading your post that mabey she is still teething and it feels good to bite. Mabey you could try giving her teething tablets before you feed? Thankfully they do stop doing it! I would say keep doing what you have been and be consistent.