To stop breastfeeding? Biting!

[Mrspebe]

Hoping for some advice from more experienced mums!

My DS will be 1 in 3 weeks. We have had a lovely breastfeeding journey so far but the past 3 days he has started biting really hard! He latches on and feeds for 2 seconds before sinking his teeth in. I pull him off and say no. He then cries and asks for more milk. Then does the exact same thing again!

Do I carry on being bitten even though I’m filled with anxiety when he asks to be fed and then I often end up in tears after he bites (not because of the pain but just because I’m an emotional wreck I think!). Or do I just stop? I’m guessing refusing milk will be hard as he’ll probably go nuts!

He goes all night with no milk and all day at nursery (he refuses formula when I’m at work 3 days a week). He definitely only wants it for comfort. Feel awful denying him this!

sorry for the long post!

Sorry I also should’ve said that I kind of feel ready to stop at this point. But will I regret it later?!

If you want to stop, stop. He's had a good run. If you want to stop but want to work through the biting issue first, so you finish on a high, don't pull him off. Push him in, so his nose is covered and he has to open his mouth to breathe. It teaches them manners really quickly.

I unlatched and plonked them on the floor. No more milk for a while. My first only bit me a couple of times so it wasn’t really an issue. My second will still nip given the chance and she’s 2.
Also hold them really close in as the can’t bite if they have a mouthful but can if they’ve just got the nipple in their mouth
you are not supposed to scream or squeal when bitten but I’ve never managed that.

If I were you I'd definitely stop! At nearly one he's already benefited about as much as he's going to and it's not worth it to be dreading feeds and in tears.

There's loads of good advice out there for stopping but basically just be breezy about it. "Milk all gone!" and distract every time he asks. He can have formula or cow's milk in a sippy/straw cup if he won't take a bottle.

Bf is absolutely wonderful but only when you’re as happy with it as DC is. When you’re not, it can be dreadful. I stopped when my first started to bite, and it was absolutely right for me.

If you want to stop anyway, then stop. But I wouldn't stop for this reason alone. It's a short-lived phase. Both of mine went through it, possibly due to teething. Possibly because babies are arses. I would just say 'no biting' loudly and firmly, take him off, and don't put him back on for at least 5 mins. Do this every time.

We went through this, it got better pretty quickly and we carried on til 17m. It'll just be a phase. I watched really carefully and started to know when he was going to bite and I shoved a finger in to unlatch him pronto.

I feel for you - it's AWFUL.

If you want to stop though, do stop!

Ohhhhh I feel your pain! Literally. I’m in the same boat with a similar aged baby.

Hopefully there will be lots of tips from other mums on how to get the baby to stop feeding because I’ve been trying to stop for 5 months now and mine just won’t take a bottle or cup!

Thank you so much for all your prompt replies and words of encouragement! I’ve tried saying no, plonking on floor etc. I’ll give the pulling in a go although I don’t know if it will work as he bites and then pulls of himself. I think he’s testing to see my reaction! Little sod!

Oh no sounds awful! My friend just gave up cold turkey with her baby and just gave formula. She said it was hard for a few days but she persevered and he then forgot about it. I will add she has the most chilled, placid baby ever so I’m sure that helped. Mines the complete opposite! I’m also way less patient and calm than she is!

My GP, who'd breastfed 4 children told me one of hers did this. She was so shocked, she slapped the child. Not recommending this, but apparently they didn't do.it again.
Dd went through a phase of pouncing on me - used to feed lying down after a 40 mile drive. It didn't last long and soon after she stopped feeding.

We had 2 biting phases, at 8 and 11 months. They didn't last long at all and I'm glad I carried on. I just used to take him off as soon as he did it and he soon stopped. If you want to stop go for it, but I didn't and the biting was not a long phase at all.