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Infant feeding

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

Original poster

DD 6 months. Just spotted a tooth lurking. Is this going to hurt?

10 replies

pipoca · 17/11/2011 12:36

DS was FF by 2 months old so not got to this stage with BF before. (Quite proud of myself to have got to 6 months this time :) but that's another thread). Is BF going to get sore now there's a sharp little tooth in there? Will she bite me? I noticed it this morning and she'd been clamping down really hard and sort of pulling back without pulling off IYSWIM for the last few days and I wondered why, obviously gums were sore or felt different or something.
Only done one feed since I spotted the tooth (which I can feel the sharp edge of with my finger) and it felt OK, just the same clamping thing as before. Will the tooth rub my nipple? Also, she seems not that interested in boob, is that normal? She was up a lot in the night though, so maybe that's why.

OP posts:
ParkerRocks · 17/11/2011 12:54

I could have written this exact post this time last week! My DD is 6 months and I noticed a tiny tooth had appeared when she bit my finger! Thankfully haven't noticed any discomfort when feeding but now I am beginnning to worry as this morning the opposing top tooth has started cutting through so I'm feeling that biting may be a distinct possibilty! Like your little one, DD had been fussy and not that interested in the boob as well as sleeping badly before I noticed the first tooth. Well done for getting to 6 months, like you my DS was FF by 2 months, pleased to have been able to get to 6 months this time! Grin

lurcherlover · 17/11/2011 13:07

Some babies seem more "bitey" than others. I am still feeding 13mo DS who has four teeth (and two more on the way) and has only bitten me once, and even then not enough to hurt (now my arms, on the other hand...). Some of my friends have had babies who were more interested in having a chomp! I think the advice is to try and not react if possible (hard I know) so that baby doesn't think it's a game, and unlatch baby and put them down for a minute so that they learn biting = no boob. Also, watch out for triggers - although DS doesn't actually bite me, he does occasionally close his teeth in a way that makes me think he's toying with the idea, and it's always at the end of the feed when he's had enough and is perhaps getting a little bored. So observation is key, and if you find that biting happens at certain times, unlatch before the buggers have chance to get their teeth in! Bear in mind that if they are feeding properly their tongue is over their bottom teeth and they cannot physically bite - so biting is always a sign that they are playing, experimenting, bored etc and not an inevitable part of feeding - if they want the milk they won't be doing it.

TeWihara · 17/11/2011 13:35

DD cracked her first tooth pretty early (she was 4mths!) and I didn't find it made any difference at all, I couldn't even feel them.

Was very surprised!

BornSicky · 17/11/2011 14:00

DS is 9 months and has a mouthful of teeth and has had them for months.

He very rarely nips me and that's only if he's comfort feeding rather than hungry feeding.

I just detach him, tell him no and then let him re-attach.

It's very uncommon and is more of a shock than painful ITMS.

gitinora · 17/11/2011 16:31

my ds is nearly 12 months has had 8 teeth since 7 months and has not bite me once. A couple of times i have felt the edge of his tooth just as he latches on just a scratch no pain.
Every child is different, but agree with bornsicky to take her off say no and then re-attach. thats what i planned to do.

bumpybecky · 17/11/2011 16:36

first teeth were fine, it was when dd1 got the top two as well that she could really bite Shock I stopped feeding her at 13 months as she thought it was really funny to have a good chomp

her younger siblings were all much less bitey, dd3 fed to 23 months, ds to 26 months and only rarely bit me

RumNoRaisins · 17/11/2011 17:01

DS hasn't got teeth yet at 5 months but has lately started to 'bite' with his gums at the end of a feed, mostly to get my attention if I am on the iPad! I tend to say no firmly and stop the feed but the little monkey just laughs at me Hmm
Am very worried about teeth.

Original poster
pipoca · 17/11/2011 20:24

Well, have done a few feeds since spotting the tooth this morning and it's a bit tender, although I don't think I can feel the tooth and as someone said upthread I shouldn't be able to as her tongue should be over it, I think maybe she's latching a bit differently, is that possible? Feels a bit like a vice grip and she's sort of pulling back and stretching the boob too.

OP posts:
Singleandproud · 17/11/2011 22:07

DD is 2 with a mouthful of teeth and has only bitten me on two occasions.

  1. she had just got two teeth and nipped me.
  2. In the summer all the windows and doors were open the wind blew 1 door closed and it slammed and she clamped down...it was very, very painful and I had to apply ice but it wasn't her fault.

Essentially those that bite generally do so at the end of the feed when they start messing about or so I've read so just keep an eye on how his latch is because he cant bite you if latched on properly as his tongue is over his teeth.

RufflesKerfluffles · 17/11/2011 22:15

Re: the latching a bit differently... I've often found my DS's latch has been a bit uncomfortable for a few days after he's had a new tooth through. I've learnt to trust that it sorts itself out (at 15mo, DS has 16 teeth so we've had plenty of practice!) and it always has.

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