How do I stop my DD from biting me whilst breastfeeding???

[cafebistro]

My DD is 6 months and has just got 2 teeth come through at the bottom. Over the last couple of days she has started biting my nipple during feeding. Its usually towards the end of a feed so I have just screamed and then taken her off. How do i stop her from doing this? Will it get worse the more teeth she gets? I want to feed for another 6 months but want my nipples intact at the end of it! Has any one else experienced this and how did you stop it? Any suggestions would be great!

[JoyS]

Having your nipple chomped is one of the most painful things ever! When she does it, try not to scream or react in any way that she might find funny (mine thought a sharp intake of breath was hilarious) and pull her into the breast so she can't breathe through her nose. She'll unclench and you can take her off easily.

I used to watch my DD like a hawk and as soon as she showed any sign of being finished I stopped the feed, before she could start biting.

[Slickbird]

Erm well, when mine started chewing, they seemed to be arsing about and I took it as a sign that they were ready to stop or wean onto solids. I BF both of mine for 6months and both were on top up bottles, but they still had the majority of feeds from me, so it really did seem to be a sign that they had outgrown me sniff! Interestingly, my DD1 started going off feeds at four months and, 'back then', (7 years ago) you were advised to wean them on to solids at 4 months.

Still, there are plenty people that BF for ages with bairns with teeth, so there must be a way. I have read somewhere that if they bite you are to take them off say no, firmly and then sit them somewhere for a minute or two. It might work. But it didn't with mine. Didn't seem slightist bit bothered by my pain! Makes you wonder why we do it!!

[Pidge]

cafebistro - my dd got teeth at just before 6 months too and did exactly the same. Usually at the end of the feed. I just took her off and said firmly "no" and then offered no more milk. She stopped doing it very quickly. I fed her till she was 2 and she had loads of teeth by then.

Same story with dd2, who I fed till 2.5. It's just a phase.

[cafebistro]

Thanks for advice etc.
Slickbird - I have started weaning her on to solids but she has never had a bottle or formula so to stop BF would be a last resort.
Hopefully like Pidge says its just a phase...I hope so anyway....Iwould be gutted to have to stop.

[ShowOfHands]

It's a phase and it's also the testing out of a new sensation. My dd only ever bites when she's teething and coming to the end of a feed. I take her off, say no biting and put her down. If you watch them towards the end of a feed, generally you can tell when it's coming. They release suction, move a bit and clamp down. You can anticipate it and remove them before it happens.

DD is 16 months now, has 10 teeth and rarely bites, it's only when teething. It is important not to react if you can. I have yelled occasionally and dd thinks it's hilarious. And does it again to see how much louder I can scream.

[mistlethrush]

Ah, well I had the other experience - I screamed and removed ds for a couple of minutes - he looked shocked and horrified - and stopped doing it. Had very few bites over 22mo of bf... Mind you, not sure that I could have done anything other than screamed!

[Slickbird]

yeah, the thing is mine really just didn't feed when they were a this point so it must've been a different situation. I have to say tho i was ready to stop as it had been hellish from day one with both.

Hope it works for you!

[lisalollipop]

Thank you all. Have just logged in to post exactly same question so it's been great to read your advice. DS is 17 weeks and got his bottom 2 teeth at 13 weeks but just yesterday started biting really hard. I screamed the first time which made him cry and since then took him off and said no firmly but he just looks defiant. Was really unhappy at the thought of having to switch to bottles so will try to persevere. Good luck Cafebistro.

[turtle23]

It's an epidemic. DS(22 wks) has bottom two teeth and top two coming through. It hurts. Posted about it yesterday and was advised to push him into breast so he lets go and knows it isn't nice. Made the mistake of screaming first time(was awful) and he was hysterical for ages.

[FinalFurlong]

I thought it was just my lovely DD who was nasty enough to laugh at me when i screamed in pain. Nice to know i am not alone.
Pulling them into the boob does seem to work though. Not been bitten in two days, yippee. Touch wood..

[NoBiggy]

DD1 (4) came and whispered "bite mummy" in DD2's ear today.

She didn't, as luck would have it.

DD1 is no longer in my will.

[BionicEar]

When my dd did this, I followed advice of sil. Remove said baby off breast say "no!" firmly and don't let them have any for a few mins. Whilst removing flick their nose - sounds cruel but baby soon learn not to bite!

[thumbwitch]

So far DS hasn't really bitten me (9mo, 2 teeth, 1 top, 1 btm so far) but has clamped down a few times - I have a hand under my boob usually so I have just pushed it further into his face and gently 'wiggled' it - he lets go straight off. Will bear in mind other advice on here for when he gets a bit more "playful".

I was commenting to DH only this evening what a strange feeling it is to be in large amounts of eye-watering pain from having bits of hair yanked and twisted and attempted eye-gouging, only to look at DS and see he is grinning like a small demon at my discomfort! They know, I know they do...

[cafebistro]

thanks for everyones advice/experiences. its good to know im not suffering alone !
BionicEar- LOL when I read your post! I'll have to try that!
She bit again this morning, its definately at the end of her feeds....I just said no! and took her off. She just looked at me and grinned!