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Infant feeding

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

14 month old poor latch nipple trauma

11 replies

Slipthroughthenet · 22/11/2025 12:48

My 14 month old has seemed to develop a habit of a poor latch over some time, not sure exactly how it evolved - he’s also been experimenting with biting lately that’s mostly over-but now when he’s feeding to sleep he likes to position himself further away from me and extends the breast/nipple into a pulled position. was fine at first and i didn’t mind getting some space but now he seems to have slipped mostly towards the end and i think it’s a combo of teeth and him pulling but my nipple is suddenly feeling painful during and after feeding, - after the feeding almost seems worse?! there is some mild trauma at the tip of the nipple now. i’m not sure if he’s also kind of holding the nipple between his teeth as he’s falling asleep.
anyway just looking for advice. i think it needs me to do something different but i don’t want to put him off- after some challenges with the biting faze i was concerned then too he might stop of his own accord, and im quite enjoying not having periods whilst he’s still feeding.
I’m beginning to try in the last couple of feeds holding his head more firmly close to me (though sometimes he beats on my chest with his hands) in order to stop him jerking/pulling back, will he get the message this way? but this is counter to what i’ve been told about not holding their head there.
or is it like biting behaviour that once they bite you end the feed? is it possible to get his latch back to a better position?

OP posts:
SleafordSods · 22/11/2025 14:30

I would be tempted to deal with it as you would a younger baby with poor latch where you unlatch them. It’s up to you if you continue the feed or try again for a better latch.

If he’s wanting to go to sleep with your nipple on his mouth, does he have many other sleep associations?

BabyLikesMsRachel · 19/12/2025 06:10

I have had this occasionally with my 14mo over the past few months when teething. At bed time they don't usually feed to sleep though - they feed and if/when they start fussing similar to what you describe I unlatch them and cuddle/pat/rock/sing til they've calmed down and then cuddle to sleep (or nearly asleep and then they go in their bed but this is a work in progress!). They easily drain a full breast in 5 minutes so I know after that time it's for comfort. Which is fine, but if it's hurting me then I take them off then.

babyproblems · 19/12/2025 06:26

I think if it’s hurting and causing distress, take them off! At 14mo they aren’t tiny anymore and you have done the work! Xo

SleafordSods · 19/12/2025 06:50

I’ve noticed you’ve had a few more posts. Do you have any progress yet @Slipthroughthenet?

Slipthroughthenet · 19/12/2025 07:53

It was teething we’ve gone back to how we were before and he seems to be weaning himself gradually needing me less thankyou everyone it was just a phase as most of these things are

OP posts:
SleafordSods · 19/12/2025 08:06

I’m glad it resolved itself in the end Smile

Rocknrollstar · 19/12/2025 09:07

At 14 months you are entitled to stop breast feeding. I think he’s trying to tell you he’s had enough of it. Give him a cup and be done.

Slipthroughthenet · 19/12/2025 10:16

Yeh my thoughts are he’s not done quite yet as he wanders over to me now and again and pulls my top up to have a feed and seems very happy so i’m not offering and not refusing and i’m still enjoying it so we’ll finish when we’re both ready

OP posts:
Minnowsmouse · 19/12/2025 10:18

This would signal the end of breastfeeding for me, especially the biting.

Blarn · 19/12/2025 10:25

Yes, deal with it by saying, "no you are hurting mummy" and taking him off. If he clamps down more (have been there!) then be clear that there will be no more milk if they do that. At 14 months if you keep the instructions clear and consistent they can get it.

Dd1 was doing this about 18 months and I got a horrible infected nipple from the graze her teeth made and needed antibiotics!Blush being a bit older she did understand that she couldn't have milk from that side which made it easier. Stopped feeding not long after that anyway as found out I was pregnant with dd2 so had to stop as it was just too uncomfortable.

Mulledjuice · 19/12/2025 11:02

deal with it as you would a younger baby with poor latch where you unlatch them. It’s up to you if you continue the feed or try again for a better latch.

This. You dont have to acept painful positioning or attachment. They do shift as they adjust to teething and sometimes need some reminders to get back on track.

The only people who matter in deciding to stop are you and your child. Noone else gets a say.

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