Bad biting!

[danceswithbaby]

My dd is coming up to 9 months old and breast milk is her main source of nutrition as I hope it wll be for a while yet. During the last week she's been biting really badly and today she's drawn blood on both nipples before midday.

I've read all the suff about not reacting etc and I really do try but it's easier said than done. Today I got so angry I screamed at her..... poor baby, she got really upset too. I don't want to put her off feeding or spoil what has up to now been a beautiful breastfeeding relationship.

Has anyone out there been in, or currently in a similar predicament? Any wise words would be gratefully received. A repeat performance of this morning's antics is unthinkable. I'm so shaken and scared by my anger I can't stop crying.

[Bibliophile]

Oh poor you. Never happened to me, but sounds very painful. Is she teething? Would a spot of calpol help? Maybe the screaming will put her off biting... I hope so.

[danceswithbaby]

My screaming at her just upset her. She's been really clingy all today.

I think you may have something with the teething. She's drooling quite a lot but I've had a good look in her mouth and there don't seem to be any bumps coming.

It's not just me she's having a go at either, it's anything within grabbing distance and she doesn't just clamp her teeth, she rips at it like a lion with a piece of meat! Shame she's going to be mostly vegetarian really!

The worst thing is that every time she's wanted the breast since this morning I've been really tense. We've got to get over this because I really want to carry on for a year at least and it's been so good so far.

[moondog]

WellI don't think the shouting will do her any harm!
I bellowed like an ox the few times my kids did this and took them off and moved away.

They didn't do it again.

[danceswithbaby]

Thanks Moondog! DD's such a sensitive little soul though. And I didn't just shout, I lost my rag completely. Shaking, violent feelings, the lot(Probably a bit sleep deprived).

I read somewhere that some babies can be excited by the response to the biting which is why they do it again. She's done it once more since and I did take her straight away and stuff a teething ring in her mouth, which she didn't like. She kept whinging and headbutting me so after a few minutes I gave it back to her and she didn't bite (but god, was I tense!). I really made a fuss of her after that, positive re-inforcement and all that. Let's hope she learns quickly as she's by no means a stupid baby.

[JennyLeevesmilkandcookiesforSa]

my ds started doing that at 11 months old there has been quite a few threads like this. I did everything to stop him but nothing worked so I had to stop as was gettin so i could not even put him near my chest and pulled myself away when he tried to latch on, could not help it. He drew blood every time, he took a bottle after a day of me stopping and the milk went away after about 3 days, and I had been fanatical about breastfeeding so it was disapointing. but I hope you dont have to stop I hope your child stops biting, if it is teething it is hard for them as biting relives their pain a bit. there have been other threads like these with lots of advice

[JennyLeevesmilkandcookiesforSa]

Dont feel too bad about the shouting she wil have forgotten already, it is dreadful pain you reacted like any normal person

[danceswithbaby]

It's bad news that you had to stop b/f because of it Jenny. I really hope I don't have to. DD is such a mummy's girl and shows very little interest in solid food. Weaning her right now would seriously traumatise her. At least she isn't the only carnivore out there!

I did look for other threads about this sort of thing. I did a search on 'bite' and 'biting' but found very little. Am I missing something?

[JennyLeevesmilkandcookiesforSa]

Oh bloody hell she just bit me!

is one thread in the topic area not sure how to link to it and there were definately others as I posted on them