Biting- any tips for bruised nips

10 replies

UniSarah · 24/08/2006 21:55

My 5.5 m/o ds has two teeth, he now bites at some or several points during each feed. OUCH. he's still totaly breast fed. Any tips?
Most bites are at teh start before hes got going, OR if hes distracted mid feed OR at the end of a side.
HAsn;t drawn blood yet, but its getting rather painfull to have him latched and slurping even when hes not actully biting.

OP posts:

BrookeandTaylorsmummy · 24/08/2006 21:57

Ive got the same problem with my ds, someone has advised nipple shields but I've yet to try them! It bloody hurts tho!! (sorry for the language!)

mears · 24/08/2006 21:59

I wouldn't start using nipple shields TBH. This is a phase most babies go through. If he bites then stop the feed. They soon learn that the breast is taken away when they bite and they stop doing it. It is blinkin' sore though.

hester · 24/08/2006 22:04

My dd went through a phase of this at about 8/9 months - was definitely trying to train me into it as a new game as she would bite, pull back (with nipple still between teeth), grin up at me and giggle wickedly. I would just say 'no' and stop the breastfeed. She adapted to this by only playing her new game at the end of the feed, when she didn't much mind us stopping. I persisted with the withdrawal but would make sure i didn't make eye-contact with her or give her any reaction/attention for it. After a few weeks, just when I was thinking I couldn't cope with it any more (it is SO painful, isn't it? I used to see stars) she just stopped. Now if it happens it is occasional and accidental.

Original poster

UniSarah · 24/08/2006 22:31

I've been reluctant to stop teh feed esp when he bites at the beginning, as I'm only going to be offering him the breast again... won;t it be more confusing.

OP posts:

Waswondering · 24/08/2006 22:40

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

mrsnoah · 26/08/2006 21:15

hi unisarah, my ds1 is same age as yours and also has two teeth now. I nearly gave up after he started biting.
I have found that I need to go somewhere quiet to b/f him now, no distractions or things that make him jump. Also I whip him off quick when he's finished!! Dont know what to suggest at the start of the feed. Scary isnt it?
(Easier said than done- I know, as I sat there this evening both of us howling as he had sunk those razor sharp pegs into me yet agin!!)

Socci · 26/08/2006 21:16

Message withdrawn

pookey · 26/08/2006 21:37

I did the above tips and they generally worked with my ds and he more or less stopped playfull nips but he is teething at mo and a week or so he sunk his teeth in very close to the nipple, it was a one off but I have had a sore small gash which wont heal and makes feeding sore does anyone have any tips for when the bites break skin? Sorry to hijack hope the tips already made help.

pookey · 26/08/2006 21:38

hmm the tips are now below not above ....

milward · 26/08/2006 21:59

I've had this - I just said no to ds. But it was hard to bf when I knew he'd bite.

For the bit on the nipple I used Lansinoh cream but it took about 4 weeks to heal up. When I bf lieing down it was ok but when bf in usual position it really hurt at the beginning. Plus ds liked to stop & start.

Flip