PLEASE HELP: 7 month old biting me and now total breast refusal.

[decoratedstandardlamp]

So basically I have a 7 month old who is now refusing to breastfeed.

She has been EBF and since 6 months she's started solids which is going well.

Two days ago: started to bite me during feeds now and again. Really hard strong bites where I'm shouting out in shock and agony.

Yesterday: happy to feed but starting to bite every feed.

This morning: attempting to feed but biting straight away and then no feed happening.

This afternoon: refusing all breast feeds and no interest in rooting.

Last proper breastfeed was 1:30am this morning.

Things I've tried:
✔️I've expressed and offered milk in a bottle and supply cup. None taken.
✔️I've added milk to her solids which she has eaten.
✔️I've spoken to HV who said don't worry too much as biting is just a phase. The breast refusal is new since I've spoken to her.
✔️skin to skin time and a bath together tonight but nothing is getting her in the mood.
✔️ I'm expressing every few hours to keep supply up.

When do I worry and what can I do to help? I'm desperate here as don't want this to be the end of our feeding journey.

DC2 used to bite around that age and it always coincided with teething. Have you tried bonjela ( alot!) before feeding or in between feeds?

(Just to note, DC1 also periodically bit around that age and I could never quite work out why)

Both DC 1 and 2 EBF until 18 months ish.

All the best

I should've said I've tried teething powder before the feeds today. She happily has it but then doesn't feed.

I'll try bonjela too. Thanks for the reminder!

Bumping

Don't mess about with powders or bonjela. Give ibuprofen or paracetamol. If I'm in pain I want a proper painkiller. It is very likely it's teething or a sore mouth or throat so use a painkiller.

@shouldistop

Don't mess about with powders or bonjela. Give ibuprofen or paracetamol. If I'm in pain I want a proper painkiller. It is very likely it's teething or a sore mouth or throat so use a painkiller.

We are using calpol now too. Having googled I think this is something called Nursing Strike after me shouting out in pain. Apparently it's common but I've never heard of it.

I think just keep doing what you're doing, nice and calm and she'll come back to it. Does sound like a nursing strike based on your (very natural!) response to biting. Keep an eye on her nappies to check they're still regularly wet. Nice dark quiet room to feed in so no distractions, teething relief before hand so she's less tempted to bite. Hope it resolves quickly!

I feel dreadful and can't believe I've caused this. I'm so glad to know it's a thing that does happen though and that it's likely to randomly resolve itself.
Pumping like a mad woman right now!

If it's nursing strike then she's likely to feed better if she's half asleep so that's worth a try x

I know it's easy to feel bad OP but it's not your fault, I've reacted in the same way! I was lucky that it didn't cause a nursing strike with my DD but it did upset her and I felt awful too. But you'd never not shout out if bitten in another situation so unless you're already prepared to not react, it's really hard not to do it. Let us know how you get on, @shouldistop has a good idea with sleepy feeds, their instinct takes over then. At 7 months your supply will be well established so pump away but it should be OK.

Its really hard not to jump/shout when you've been bitten. DS had a very short phase of doing this and I learnt to anticipate it. When he would bite, I would say 'no', put him down on his playmat and walk away for a minute. I would come back and play with him but I wouldn't restart the feed for about an hour (unless he was crying for milk). It seemed to work well and he only did it a few times after I started it.

Oh god don’t beat yourself up about this! Honestly OP, you’re human. You have pain receptors. How on earth could you have not reacted? And how could you have known how your baby would react?

It’ll resolve - just keep at it- lots of good advice above. And don’t beat yourself up!

Nursing strike - not caused by you, most likely a teething thing. It could last a few days, in which case I would express to maintain your supply, offer it in a sippy cup if she will take it but don’t worry too much if she doesn’t. You’ll probably have most success feeding her while she’s asleep. It should all revert to normal in a few days. Yes to paracetamol, I think ibuprofen better for teething, but be careful with meds as it can hide actual illness (temperature etc).

Thanks so much for all the replies.

So hooray...she fed in her sleep just like you all said she would! We slept together in the bed and I just kept brushing passed her till she couldn't resist.

Massive relief but it's been an eye opener for me. I can't believe a baby will refuse milk for 24 hours (and obviously longer for some).
I also can't believe an experienced breast feeder can get in such a state about something and that I've never heard of it.

Thanks everyone and thank goodness for mumsnet!

Well the strike isn't over after all but at least I know I can trick her into feeding when she's asleep.

@decoratedstandardlamp it'll get back to normal over the next days, glad she's had a feed! It's so stressful when feeding goes a bit wrong. You'll get there!

How are you getting on op? Any other successful feeds?

@decoratedstandardlamp

Well the strike isn't over after all but at least I know I can trick her into feeding when she's asleep.

Yes! Also try when she's just emerging from sleep and when she's really tired and ready to go to sleep.

Additionally, I find my baby is more likely to bite if I let him latch on all by himself. He bites the nipple as it enters his mouth. However, if I push a large amount of breast in his mouth when he opens it, he doesn't bite and goes straight to feeding. If that makes sense.

Great progress today if I start the feeding standing up and swoosh her about a bit vigorously! She's even fed awake if I do this.

Oh the joys of feeding a more active baby it gets pretty different to when they are sleepy newborns! So glad it's more positive today OP.

The other weird thing is she will not accept the feed in my normal chair. It must've triggering the memory of me shouting for the first time....Yet I'm as scared as her!

I was going to suggest teething. My DC were buggers when teething.

Oh bless her, she needs tricking into it at the moment!

Again with the chair I don’t think it’s that she’s remembering you shouting, it’s more likely to be that your normal position is uncomfortable. Keep an eye out for ear infection too, ear pain can interfere with feeding.