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Parenting

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Original poster

Baby biting me while feeding

13 replies

Moonshine160 · 27/05/2023 18:54

8 month old DS has just two bottom teeth but he keeps biting me while breastfeeding and the pain is unbearable. One of my nipples has got scabs on it now. It started off with him doing it towards the end of his feed when he’d had enough but was just sleepily suckling so I used to take that as a sign that he was done and pull him off. But now he’s doing it mid feed and it’s making me really hate feeding him when I’ve been enjoying our breastfeeding journey so far. Any advice on how I stop him doing it? Or how I should react when he does it? A lot of the time I can’t help but yelp in pain and my loud reaction has made him cry a couple of times :(

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IcarusFlies · 27/05/2023 18:56

Put him down every time he does it. I got bitten a few times by DC1, and yelling out in pain didn’t bother him in the slightest…. But losing the boob as a direct result of the biting worked a treat. Tried the same with DC2 having learnt my lesson - he bit me precisely twice and that was the end of it. Good luck! It hurts…

Aria2015 · 27/05/2023 18:59

Unlatch as soon as he does it and say 'ouch' firmly. They soon learn biting = no boob and stop! My 2 year old has a full set of teeth and hasn't bitten me since about 7/8 months (still feeding!).

Cotswoldmama · 27/05/2023 19:21

I just loudly and firmly said 'ow, no' and unlatched him. The biting didn't last long. Although I think I started before he had teeth and was teething as he'd try to bite me with his gums, so I think I avoided any actual teeth biting.

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UsernameNotAvailableNow · 27/05/2023 19:41

I tried all of the above and unfortunately none of it worked. I ended up with a badly damaged nipple and had to abruptly stop breastfeeding. Fun times.

PinkPlantCase · 27/05/2023 19:46

Is he actively biting or has hit latch just got very toothy now he’s getting used to feeding with teeth?

If actively biting, calmly (through gritted teeth) use a finger to unlatch him and put him down with a firm we don’t bite mummy. Continue the feed after a short time but stop every time he does it.

If it’s just a very toothy latch then you’ll both get used to it. Their latch does change when their teeth come through and for a time it feels like to hurts more every time a tooth comes in but you both adapt and your nipples get used to it.

Beamur · 27/05/2023 19:46

I'd go with a loud 'no' unlatch and stop feeding until the next one a few hours later.
Babies have to change latch to bite so be hyper aware for it and quickly put your finger in the corner of babies mouth to break the seal and remove your nipple.

Original poster

Moonshine160 · 27/05/2023 19:57

Yes it’s definitely a bite and him clamping down rather than his latch. Some feeds I can avoid being bitten at all but today he’s done it an awful lot and I’ve ended up so sore! Thanks all, I will try all of this.

OP posts:

toodledo · 27/05/2023 19:59

Sucking means the tongue is over the bottom teeth - if there's biting, I'd say he might not be that hungry and using you as a teething tool (taking his tongue away).

elevenplusdilemma · 27/05/2023 20:03

Don't shout out. Just stop the feed immediately and put him down on the floor. Any shouts from you are effectively a positive response and he'll learn to keep doing it to get a reaction.

twoandcooplease · 27/05/2023 20:15

Unlatching during a firm 'ouch' or 'NO' definitely works - did with my ds too

If only you could get children to learn not doing something as easy as the threat they feel taking away their feeding

orangesoda36 · 27/05/2023 20:47

We discussed this at my breastfeeding group last week, the counsellor who takes the group suggested making sure that baby has a lot of breast tissue in his mouth as well as nipple because if their latch is too shallow then they are able to bite.

She also told the mum with the problem not to react which is a lot easier said than done I would say 🤦‍♀️

DNAshelicase · 27/05/2023 21:28

All great advice here. Mine only bites when teething so we rub his gums with this before a feed, it numbs the gums and he doesn’t bite me https://www.boots.com/anbesol-liquid-10ml-10277941

LIQUID NOT GEL

Anbesol Liquid 10ml - Boots

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catsnore · 27/05/2023 21:47

Make sure he bites on something before you feed him (cold teether from the fridge, toothbrush or whatever). Bit of teething gel maybe too.

Then if you feel him start to bite down, either unlatch quickly before he can (finger in between gums!) and put him away from you saying 'no biting'.

Another thing to try is to hug him hard in to you, almost smothering him into your boob. This stops him pulling back enough to bite.

Give it a week or so and his latch should adjust to whatever teeth he has moving/coming through.

In the meantime, protect the wound and help it to heal. I use a bit of Germolene and then a bit of Vaseline. Cover with a breast pad or wad of tissue inside your bra. Air it regularly if you can bear walking/sitting round with a boob out 😂

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