Biting and breastfeeding..

[snowboarder]

Ow. Baby snowboarder has 6 shiny new teeth. He's bitten me a couple of times when feeding but nothing major. Last night he wouldn't have his bedtime milk - just kept biting me and looking at me as if he'd forgotten how to suck - so he went to be with no milk. Woke in a rage this morning desperate for milk but again couldn't feed, kept biting me then screaming hysterically. Finally managed to get him to taste the milk and he settled down and fed. What's going on?!? Thought maybe teeth pain last night or he just didn't want any - or just being annoying, but this morning was weird as he was clearly upset but couldn't help doing it.

Sigh. It's not too big a deal I s'pose as he's one now and actually I'd quite like him to stop b/f - but anyone any ideas?

[linzkg]

Hmmm .. my little one bit me hard a few times when his teeth were sprouting and I put it down to teeth pain/frustration/exploring etc .. but it was only a phase (a month or so, and certainly not every time he fed.)

I had to keep my hook grip close to his cheek waiting for it to happen but it doesn't even cross my mind anymore!

I also taught him 'no' and frowned at him and it definitely did help in my opinion as he seemed to understand (well he certainly does now that he's crawling about and grabbing at things!) I also took him off and I soon found out if he was hungry or just being a 'brat' ;-)

There was a few times when I thought I can't do this then .. this is it .. he's going to bite my all the time now .. so I'll have to give up but I'm really glad I saw it through.

Its difficult to relax and you worry you'll make it worse by the milk not flowing if you're on edge .. and the little one is confused and hungry etc but give it a little while and he'll settle - but guess its a good time to wean him off too if you're ready - good timing maybe?

[SteveT]

Bonjela???????

One of ours did the same when teething, and got great pain whilst trying to feed, but bonjela helped to subdue the pain and miseries.

[snowboarder]

But the teeth are through, that's what I don't get...

[Moos]

Perhaps some of the other ones lurking and giving him a hard time?

[linzkg]

He's getting used to having them maybe and exploring with them? Just wait for him to start grinding them.. that's the worst, I hate that sound.

He just needs to learn 'no' and he'll soon get the idea ;-)

[The Nappy Lady]

Yes, I would agree. If he bites take him off and say 'no' firmly.

Sounds like other teeth moving around and bothering him, and maybe new teeth forcing him to adjust his feeding sty-lee!!

Poor boy.

Molly

[sunbob]

When my little one first bit me feeding I screamed so loudly that it made her cry and she's almost never done it again. Not quite sure how that can help you, just thought I'd share.

[snowboarder]

Thanks all. As I said the strange thing this morning was it was like he couldn't help it, and he was just screaming. Somewhat better later today/this evening but I am sore! Previously and last night were more like cheeky bites and I say no but he just laughs. Great disciplinarian, me...

New toothy feeding style is not so comfy either - imprints of the top set once finished. I am so giving this up as soon as I can.....

[KBN]

Snowboarder I have the same thing with my 10 month old, but weird because she seems to know she is being cheeky - laughs like you say. She feeds quite well, then slowly drags my nipple out then bites. This has only started in the last week or so, just after her two top teeth (not centre but on either side..centre still to come) popped out. I have tried "no" and am quite firm, but don't want to put them away as she is v small for her age and needs her milk. Am not sure what to try, as I have read that scaring them when they bite can lead to a milk strike (which my littleun has also done in the past when teething).

[The Nappy Lady]

I genuinely think some of it is that they just don't really understand immediately what their teeth 'do' if that makes sense, and maybe even if giggling, it is just because to them it is a new game.

I didn't intend to scare my daughter, but when she bit me it took me so much by surprise I literally yelled OW and started crying before I could help it, and she looked at me with such shock. Whenever she did it again I said no, then ow, you mustn't hurt Mummy (in a calm, but firm voice) and she seemed to get it pretty quickly.

I also think the teeth probably 'get in the way' and so they have to adjust the way they b'feed and this must be quite frustrating for them, but I suspect they adjust to it pretty quickly.

Finally - if you know where the teeth are that are coming through/bothering them, I would highly recommend Anbesol Liquid over Bonjela every time. You just get a tiny bit on your finger and rub it onto the affected area of the gum. It is a topical cure - so numbs the gum, but does not enter their system at all, so can even give Calpol etc. as well if it is really bad. When my eldest was cutting her molars she used to run to me when she saw the bottle come out. It is far more effective than Bonjela - if in doubt try a bit on your own tongue, or a mouth ulcer etc.

Hope things improve soon, nothing worse than having to insert nipple into danger zone whilst frantically hoping they don't decide to bite - eek.

Molly

x

[Fuschia]

SB: I'd guess it's mostly him being sensitive to your reaction (have you shouted out and scared him? Are you feeling very tense worried he will bite again?)

A mix of him being scared of how you might react and you being scared and fed up of the biting = no letdown would be enough to make him very cross.

Maybe try the rugby hold, to keep his teeth away from the place where you're sore?

[snowboarder]

F - No am very calm (I think given the circumstances - just jump a bit and say no). Sometimes think it could be crossness about slow let down though. He won't open his mouth for me at all so I can't see if any more teeth are on their way!

KBN - the only time I worry about him not having milk is before bed - luckily he's a strapping lad! But it seems our little ones share annoying baby traits. They must never meet or they will plot!

[SteveT]

Put their foot between your finger and thumb and give it a tweak, just enough to make them want to jerk their foot away.

They'll soon learn.

[Beagle]

Ladies,

I've been reading the advice offered in this old thread and resurrecting it as I am really struggling.

Since the advent of teeth Easter weekend my 8 month old daughter has been biting me, and drawing blood, at the end of her feed. I can't always react quickly enough to anticipate she is about to pull away biting and I am dreading feeding her.

After an initial week of biting at Easter she did stop, or I got wise to her and stopped her doing it, but since her third tooth started coming through this week it has begun again and I am quite cut and sore.

I will try ignoring it as suggested above as 'No' is eliciting no response other than a smile and a giggle and I am also giving her teething powders ahead of a feed to help her gums.

Has anyone got any other advice?

I should add she is a bottle refusnik but if this continues it will have to be formula as this can't go on despite the fact that I will be so saddened to end a wonderful breastfeeding experience on this note.

:(

[cuppa tea]

That sounds painful Beagle. My little one will sometimes do it. I think his is more taking pleasure in seeing my reaction than teeth. Like you say it's usually when he's finished the milk on one side. I tend to keep a really close eye on him as I feel the suck lessen and he has to pull back slightly to be able to bite with the front teeth. And then I take him off quickly, say "no" and don't put him back on again. (He also giggles when I say no!) Most babies love breastfeeding so I guess this is not the outcome they want. If he's kicking off and wants to feed, I put him back on and he generally doesn't bite again for that feed. You could try asking at a breastfeeding cafe...they usually have really good advise. It would be a shame to stop feeding if you are still both enjoying it other than this. The biting will pass. My first child also did it for a while also, but we got over it and in the end I fed him till he was 2!

[Fuschia]

Some info here

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/older-baby/biting.html

Though no great insights unfortunately