Biting - is he saying he's had enough?

[PrincessOfWails]

I'm bfing DS2, who is now 10 months. We're down to 3 feeds: first thing in the morning, after bathtime, and then a dream feed when I go to bed between 10.30-11.
However, the past few days he's started biting. Good and proper! He doesn't bite during the dream feed, but the other feeds have been problematic. He started doing it after bathtime, but I ignored it (whilst biting down on a wooden spoon myself...!). He went to sleep just the same without the feed, but has been unsettled (he's teething - he already has teeth though, and don't I know it!)
However, he's now started doing it for the morning feed as well - this morning he wouldn't take anything. I tried at different points: he woke at 6.30, and I offered then but got bitten repeatedly. I then tried again at 7, again, biting without feeding. By 7.30 DS1 was up, and I offered again - DS2 started but after about a minute, it was biting again. So I stopped offering.

He doesn't seem fussed about this; he doesn't then look for a feed. Is this him saying he's had enough? With DS1 I was still breastfeeding long after his first birthday, and I thought I'd be doing the same with DS2, mornings and evenings, say. But there's only so much biting I can take!

I'm all for baby led feeding, but I'm that he seems to be giving up.

Highly unlikely he is sending you coded messages about wanting to stop bf for good, Princess - babies are not that clever, and don't understand about the finality of stopping.

But it sounds like a nursing strike - reasons for these are many and varied. You could do a search on here and on the web for info.

Sometimes, babies behave like this as a result of some upset (not necessarily major) to their feelings. Could your baby be 'cross' or frustrated or confused about something? Have you had any separation from him, or something unexpected happening?

The good news is that babies get over this 'blip' with patience and love.

The biting you describe does sound more like 'crossness' and confusion, rather than him exercising his biting skills 'cos of teething and/or because he wants to see what you do.

Ha. I've lost my job, have just been screwed over on another job and am all at sea, barely able to function. Uncertainty? Definitely, in spades! Tiktok, you're good!

I've been trying to create a restful environment for feeding him, but it's tricky with a toddler and no OH around! DS2 seems quite happy and content otherwise, if a little unsettled - but everything is unsettled here because of the trauma.

What should I do - keep trying? I can't exactly tell him off - he's 10mo! - but he did cry when I squealed 'ow' this morning. He laughs when he bites, though, the monkey!

Babies can understand and react to emotional stress in their mothers and in the household. Yes, creating a restful feeding environment is helpful, and should resolve the issue soon....keep on trying. Shared bathtimes, not fighting him at the breast, lots of unpressured snuggles, all should help.