DD bit me - went ouch and now on nursing strike

[Tapster]

DD 9 months old bit me four times this morning (first time she has ever done so), once I really did go "ouch it hurts". Now she has refused two feeds and has just cried herself to sleep for her afternoon nap . She is teething so could that be it or have I frightened her. She has never had a bottle of even EBM I know she won't fade away if she misses a few feeds. Also my second period started today - does that impact the taste?

What can I do to encourage her to nurse, she looks frightened when I show her my boob. Having an awful day.

[RuthChan]

I'm sorry to hear you're having such an awful day.
It's seriously painful when they bite you, isn't it.
My DD is 8 months old and she started biting me a couple of months ago. I had to be really quite strong with her to get the message across that this was not a good idea. I actually had to put her down and refuse to feed her until she understood. After a few tearful exchanges she learned the lesson and she hasn't bitten me for ages.
It is quite possible that teething is the reason she won't feed. My DD didn't have that problem, but I've heard that some babies find the pressure of feeding really painful on their gums so they refuse the breast.
If that is the case, you'll probably find that she'll feed again in the next day or so. In the meantime, maybe you try her with some bonjela or other teething gel to ease the pain.
As for periods changing the taste, I'm afraid I can't comment on that one. I'm still waiting for mine to return.

[SpawnHorcrux]

I've just recently had the same experience with my 11 month old DS. He suddenly started biting me at the beginning of a feed (not hard, but enough to make me feel v v nervous about him latching on). I'd say 'no biting' firmly, and I would give up on the BFing session if he did it again.

He went for about 48 hours with only two feeds (which were during the night when he was v sleepy).

I had to express milk a couple of times to relieve a bit of pressure.

Then suddenly he got over it, and we're back to how we used to be - no biting at all. It was very odd!

He is teething, and I had also started my 2nd period btw.

[Tapster]

Well she finally fed at 5.45pm, previous feed was brief and at 7.30am. Maybe she is naturally moving to two feeds a day at just under 9 months?

[FrannyandZooey]

I went through this, it's fairly classic at this age hope the suggestions on this page may help you.

[Tapster]

Thanks - was wondering at what age they only take milk morning and night, just wondering if thats what she is doing dropping the day feed. She dropped the other two day feeds naturally as well. Will find out today - will not offer/refuse. She makes it clear when she wants to BF tends to bite my shoulder .

[FrannyandZooey]

It really depends on the child - it's like saying "at what age do they start liking carrots?" My ds didn't get down to two feeds until he was about 3, and that was because I pushed him to drop the others.

I would offer if I was you - I know the general feeling seems to be that mothers are desperate to give up and should take the first opportunity to stop breastfeeding - but there are still many, many advantages for you and your baby to continuing - your dd is still very young - and the nutritional and protective elements are still very much there. Until your dd is 1 year old, milk should form the MAIN part of her nutririon, and should be offered before other foods at every meal - so if you are cutting down bf to twice a day, you should, really, be giving formula at other times. Seems more sense all round to carry on the good work with breastfeeding! Hope it works out for you

[FrannyandZooey]

Page about maintaining breastmilk as main source of nutrition in the first year

HTH

[Tapster]

Thanks for the link she did take milk at lunchtime again. Not sure what happened yesterday. She hardly eats any solids if you compare her to most babies - we are doing BLW mainly as she refuses to be fed by me and hates purees.

Well despite the lack of solids she had her 8 month check yesterday - 91st percentile weight and 98th percentile height think I have the highest fat BM. She has never had a bottle of even EBM, my claim to fame .

[FrannyandZooey]

Tapster that's great stuff and I am glad she seems to be back on track for feeding. It's great you are relaxed about her intake of other foods and you can be sure she is getting what she needs from your milk. Hope you are feeling proud of yourself