Biting whilst feeding ...and finding it funny

[bluenosesaint]

My dd (8 months) is going through a biting phase ...and she bloody hurts!

How long does this phase last? Please tell me its not long

Its been going on the last couple of months and if anything, its getting more frequent. I take her off the breast and give her a very firm 'NO!' Initially the 'no' made her cry but now, regardless of how firmly i tell her, it just makes her laugh!

What do i do? Its started to affect feeding as i tense up towards the end of every feed, just waiting for her to bite me - she invariably obliges

Please help. We both love breastfeeding and i'm in no hurry to give it up.

oh DS bit me badly at this stage so much that I resorted to one-sided feeding for the remaining 4 months! - pleased to say we got to 1y and we've just weaned, mutually really.

He also found it great fun, but it just stopped as suddenly as it started - I did start to introduce the odd bottle though, so i don't know if that helps, you prob don't want to do this at this stage - but it helped me, as every so often he would stop and chew the teat, so I would just BF when sleepy and less likely to bite.

Do persevere, she will move on from this - I don't know how long you want to continue to BF, but you will get to a stage where you can enjoy it again before giving up. i remember being so upset thinking our last feed would be one where I was biten and that's how I'd remember 12mo of BF, but luckily not.

Have you tried a feeding necklace or other distraction? DS liked the jingleboobs necklace to play with (google it) it really worked well. or a cold teething ring before you know a feed is due often gets rid of the urge to bite. I think I remember reading if she does bite, remove the boob and end the feed. She may not have had her fill, but she will soon learn.
good luck!

Thanks sparkly

The problem that i have with the feeding necklaces etc is that she mainly bites at night although she does it at the end of most feeds now

She will look at me when she has bitten me with a sparkle in her eye and a grin on her face - would be very cute if it didn't hurt so damn much!

As for how long i was planning on feeding her - i don't know really, i keep moving the goalposts. First of all i was happy with feeding to 6 months - then i decided i'd feed till she got teeth - then i thought maybe 12 months - but tbh until this biting i was thinking that i'm in no rush to finish and will feed her till she self-weans. That bit is in jeopardy now though because she really does hurt and its making the whole feeding experience very unpleasant