Nipple biting - how do I get her to stop?

10 replies

MiniMousse · 30/04/2009 12:44

My daughter (7 months) has just started doing this every time I latch her on. She doesn't even attempt to feed, just bites HARD with her two sharp little teeth. Saying 'no' sternly just makes her laugh, and unlatching her and putting her down has no effect either - she just bites down as soon as she's back on.

I really struggled with breastfeeding (latch problems, major weight loss etc) and found it v painful for the first 3 months, so I really don't want to have to stop now when it is (was!) so enjoyable, and I certainly don't want to end on a bad note. I have been in tears this morning which seems ridiculous as I have a lovely healthy happy baby but I just wanted to carry on breastfeeding a few more months. Any suggestions?

OP posts:

Jennylee · 30/04/2009 19:16

No sugestions just sympathy, my ds did that and i had to stop, as he would'nt , dd has done it twice and has not done it again, so i was trying her with formula but she only took an ounce at a time but I'm gonna keep doing that as she only has 2 teeth now but more will be coming, I cried about it when she bit me as I also don't want it to end badly, she is 9 months

Umlellala · 05/05/2009 14:17

Oh dear. I came on here for advice on the same. My ds (9mths) wants boob but just bites. Have said 'no' and take him off, he laughs. He is sobbing in his cot upstairs cos it was winding me up so much the constant latch on-bite- latch off. Agh. He wants to sleep but won't feed to sleep (like normal) and is too fidgetY (and getting too heavy) to rock him. I really don';t know what to do. Will go upstairs and give him a cuddle and try again in half hour I guess. Hard on my dd who is waiting to make biscuits

Does this mean I am gonna have to try to persist with bottle? It just really f**king hurts.

FluffyBunnyGoneBad · 05/05/2009 14:23

Ds did this (twice), I put him on the floor and walked off, then I went back a couple of minutes later. Don't reward them with attention and they (most of them) stop.

Umlellala · 05/05/2009 14:53

Hmmm... thought I'd tried that but sounds sensible. He has only just started proper, everytime he latches-on-biting - like you, before he would do it I would ignore him and latch off and then he'd be ok. Think he's teething. Has just cried and cried today (not like him at all). Mind you, I have cried and cried today so maybe picking up my mood.

FluffyBunnyGoneBad · 05/05/2009 18:11

What's up Umlellala?

Liquid anbesol is lovely stuff for teething.

I'll ba back later, I'm burning cooking the tea.

Umlellala · 05/05/2009 19:56

Am having a low one. Feel pregnant, but test says I'm not (which is prob a good thing - 3 kids under 4?!). Anyway, he was funny again for bedtime, left him to 'chill'in the cot for a few mins while I calmed down and tidied up, gave him a bottle (drank half ounce and then he settled and fed properly - though didn't want to fall asleep on boob (and dd decided to run in and be all bouncy, so ended up rocking him). But all's well now...

It's all an experiment eh? This is just a weirdy phase I guess... dd had (has ) a dummy and was bottlefed so I settled her slightly differently..

Not heard of Liquid Anbesol? Have given him paracetamol and dentinox tonight...

FluffyBunnyGoneBad · 05/05/2009 20:36

It's a local anaesthetic and antiseptic liquid, you pop a small drop on your finger, then rub it on the gum and it numbs it. Works alot better then bonjella.

Hormones go all over the place for along time after a baby. Pop and see your GP if you are having problems though.

no1putsbabyinthecorner · 05/05/2009 20:39

I could have wrote this too ds 8 month. Only bit few times but refusing all bf for few days now.
I treid tonight he bit, I said 'no' he laughed. I put him in his cot (he cried) closed door went to get milk for dd, then went back in and he fed. First bf in 3 days.
DD was 9 month when she bit me, I screamed she never nursed again.
I really dont want to stop yet either.

StercusAccidit · 05/05/2009 20:48

If you say 'no' too sternly, you might frighten them and put them off.

Now, this is going to sound nasty-ish, but it works for me. Think 'if you bite me, i'll suffocate you' bit naughty but i say it with a giggle.....
Basically, if DS bites, i pull him close, as trying to pull him off HURTS and saying no gets a smile, and more clamping down and a horrible clamping-dragging-head-away

OUCHIE!

So go against your instinct, pull them so close it (sort of) blocks their breathing, and they let go, couple this with saying 'no biting' firmly but quietly, and they should get the message, please don't flame me as i am only joking re suffocating a baby, i assure you DS is loved, biting or not!

Jennylee · 05/05/2009 21:30

mine is stil bf, which is good as she will drink half an ounce of formula, or on a good day - a whole ounce! so I would be in trouble if she starts again. nipples have stopped hurting but were sore for a week, but more and more teeth sprouting every day it looks like

I really scared her though when I screamed which was not so good.

Umlella hope you feeing better

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