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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Original poster

How do you Breastfeed when they get top teeth?

20 replies

Blatherskite · 04/12/2010 10:20

DD is 11.5 months old now and breastfed. Everything was fine when she cut her two bottom teeth as they were covered by her tongue when feeding and as long as I watched out for her falling asleep and biting down, we were OK.

But last week, she cut her two top teeth and they are mega sharp! Feeding is now massively uncomfortable as I can feel them rubbing as she feeds and when she falls asleep and bites down!!! Shock Ouch!!!

I've been thinking about weaning her onto a cup of cows milk recently anyway but this is really making me want to do it NOW!! It's just so sore.

How do you feed a child with teeth?

OP posts:
puffylovett · 04/12/2010 10:22

Just unlatch her each time she bites down. She needs to learn to be careful and to work around her teeth.

It can be sore at first, but they soon learn how to deal with them.

Original poster
Blatherskite · 04/12/2010 10:27

It's not just the biting anymore though puffy. I can feel the new teeth while she feeds.

OP posts:
puffylovett · 04/12/2010 10:36

DS1 was very careful with his teeth, DS2 (v demanding Hmm not so, I do sometimes have marks on my nipples from his teeth, but usually when I'm careless about how I let him latch.

They do eventually get used to having a mouthful of bones, honest !

onimolap · 04/12/2010 10:43

I think it's a combination of shape of jaw, length of teeth and style of latch. DD was no problem whatsoever, but DS used to scrape dreadfully. You could try experimenting to see if you can adjust the latch, if you really can't get comfortable then you might have to think about giving up (sorry), but it really isn't meant to hurt!

Original poster
Blatherskite · 04/12/2010 10:55

It's excruciating and they're just clear of the gums!! I can only imagine it getting worse as they get longer Sad

OP posts:
TruthSweet · 04/12/2010 17:25

They do get used to having top teeth, it is just a period of adjustment for them (and us!). Paying careful attention to the latch and you could try doing an asymmetrical latch which can help with top teeth grazing. There are some videos here for how to achieve an asymmetrical latch.

Also, is there a bfing group nearby that you could go to get face to face help and information on introducing cows milk/weaning?

amerryscot · 04/12/2010 17:26

You just keep going. Teeth aren't a factor in breastfeeding.

BertieBotts · 04/12/2010 17:33

When new teeth come through there's a period of around 2-3 days where you can definitely feel the teeth although they're not actually biting. Then their latch adjusts and it's fine again. DS is 2 and has all his teeth and I'm still feeding him - I can assure you it doesn't hurt!

Do you have any Lansinoh left which you could put on? I used nappy cream when I ran out as DS was going a lot longer between feeds by then! Slather it on between feeds and go with it for the sake of a few days.

However if you want to stop anyway then maybe it would be a good time to do it?

Original poster
Blatherskite · 04/12/2010 20:08

You could first feel the sharp edge of the teeth on Tuesday and today was definitely the most painful day for feeding. They're much more visible now and seem to have a super-sharp edge on them which rubs when she feeds.

No Lanisoh left. I gave when I did have left to my sister when her baby was born when DD was 6 months old. I never got this far with DS so I didn't know I'd possibly need it again.

DD hates all cups and bottles so I think weaning might be difficult but now might be a good time to start trying....

OP posts:
StealthPolarBear · 04/12/2010 20:13

Blather, it has always been worse for me with both of them when the new teeth are actually coming through. After that, as someone else has said, they learn to adjust the latch.
If you do want to stop, fine, obviously, but if you don;t and this is making you think about it, maybe give yourself till Wednesday before making a decision?

spidookly · 04/12/2010 20:17

yeah, it's worse as they come through. then they adjust so you don't feel them all the time.

DD2 is a demon biter though, especially when she's teething. I have it out with her, but she has no idea what I'm on about and just goes straight back and does it again :o

StealthPolarBear · 04/12/2010 20:18

It's your parenting
Mine have never bitten

StealthPolarBear · 04/12/2010 20:18

That was tongue in cheek of course but even so was a complete lie - went through a bitey phase with DS :o

spidookly · 04/12/2010 20:19

:o

mousymouse · 04/12/2010 20:21

I got used to it. dds upper teeth came through a month ago and at first it was a bit uncomfortable but now it*s all right.

Original poster
Blatherskite · 04/12/2010 20:51

Grin Thank you for giving me a smile back everyone.

spidookly - I know exactly what you mean about having it out with a completely uncomprehending baby. I often tell DD that she mustn't do that as it hurts and she just goves me one of her angelic grins and goes back to chewing on me.

Thought I saw the glare from your halp SPB Wink Will try to give it until Wednesday but she had me in tears today which isn't good when 3 year old DS wants to know what's wrong. DH is still home tomorrow though to distract him so will definitely see how it goes for the next 24 hours.

OP posts:
Original poster
Blatherskite · 04/12/2010 20:53

Gracious my spelling!!

gIves and HalO obviously.

Teeth are also affecting DD's sleep so I feel like the walking dead atm.

OP posts:
tabbyH · 04/12/2010 22:12

Dd was bad for a few days, but got the hang of it eventually - it wasn't anything I did! I always end up with 4 little teeth marks now, but feel nothing. Good luck x

Original poster
Blatherskite · 05/12/2010 16:27

I decided to try 'don't offer/don't refuse' and see what happened....she didn't ask for a feed until this afternoon, about 24 hours after her last one! She's been happy with a tippy cup of cows milk or water the rest of the time.

Guess she might be ready to stop too?

OP posts:
cece · 05/12/2010 16:36

I used the most linosoh at about the 12 month mark. I had two awful months of teeth and bleeding nipples. DS2 then seemd to get it and we have been carrying on happily for a while now. He is 18 months and at moment there are no teeth or biting problems.

For you I think you need to adjust the latch if you can feel them as she feeds.

If she bites then pull her into towards you and stick your finger in her mouth to break the latch.

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