Breastfeeding and teeth problems

[Naturegirl82]

My 9 month old has 7 teeth (4 bottom, 3 top). We had no issues with the bottom teeth but dd's latch has become so painful since the top teeth came in. I've tried altering her position but it's still sore. I'm also getting bitten, either an enthusiastic latch where she chomps down hard, or if she comes off slightly she clamps down to stay on. It doesn't seem intentional but I tell her no and take her off but nothing seems to be improving. It's starting to make me think about giving up which I don't want to do but I'm so sore I don't think I can carry on. Is there anything I can do to help this?

[NorahBone]

My 1yo has had 7 teeth for a while now and it was just like you describe at first. I can't pretend it's as easy now as having a gummy baby, but after a while he got a bit better at feeding with teeth and now it's just uncomfortable sometimes. He's stopped biting but still sometimes moves around way too much and uses his teeth to hold on so I only like bf when he's sleepy! Afraid I've got no good advice but if you do want to continue it'll probably get better x

[Hubb]

My 11m old has 4 teeth and occasionally it has been painful for me too, one tip I read was to feed when they are really hungry as they are less likely to mess around on the boob. I have tried that and it seems to help. Also like the PP mentioned feeding when they are sleepy is much easier, not sure how to incorporate that into the day though...I'm still bfeeding through the night..

[Naturegirl82]

Thanks for the replies. Feeding when she is sleepy ends in her coming off slightly, panicking and clamping down to stop herself coming off, which is toe-curlingly painful! I've had to stop feeding lying down because of that. Last night wasn't good. I've been off work this week and I wonder if that is part of the problem as she's obviously been feeding more and my nipples have had no recovery time. I'm going to try and contact breastfeeding support to check her latch, but it looks fine to me, it just doesn't feel like she has loosened it to accommodate the teeth and I don't know how I would get her to do that.

[Naturegirl82]

hubb we do most of our feeding through the night as well, so the exhaustion of that is probably not helping the situation, especially as dd has become really difficult to put back into her cot after a feed

[Schmoop]

I'm having similar problems since the upper centrals came through. My DS doesn't bite but the teeth just graze and it causes a little chaffing wound. I've tried bringing his body in closer to tilt his head up but it makes no difference. The only thing that works for me now it to feed him in the rugby ball hold rather than cradle