9 month old biting during breastfeeding

Tatum - posted on 02/06/2011

thank you all for your advice, He finally nursed for the first time during the day today without biting ( before he would only nurse in the middle of the night and first thing in the morning) Im pretty sure he was biting because his top teeth were coming in. now that they are in it seems the worst is over thank goodness thank you all again

Michelle - posted on 02/04/2011

I agree with the putting him down as soon as he does it. That is what I did with all my kids and they seem to catch on pretty quickly that if they bite, the feeding stops and mom puts me down.
If you give a reaction he might find it amusing and continue to bite cause he is entertained by that reaction. I used a calm No no in my normal voice.
I have been lucky that none of my kids got teeth till they were 15 months old [hoping my 5 month old follows suite] but it seems to me once they reach about 5 months or so they do it teeth or not. Even with out teeth it hurts and can cause sores, but luckily not breaking the skin.
What is the flicking????

Abby - posted on 02/04/2011

If you want to continue breast feeding, i say that when he bits you, immediately put him down. In a stern voice tell him, "stop biting mommy! that's hurts! I'm not going to let you bite me. If you want to chew on something, you can use a teether." Have a teether on hand that you can immediately give him. Then, once he's lost interest in the teether, tell him that he can try eating again, but if he bites, he will be done. It may seem strange to talk like that to a 9 month old, but he will understand. I saw a few others post similarly. I think talking to your baby is a good extra step though. You want to begin that kind of communication early on. Hope that helps.

Chani - posted on 02/03/2011

If you ever get a sore spot or opening, a nice trick without salves or medications is to put some of you milk onto the area. Fixes it right up :)
LOL Sara, I write this and then read what you write. Too funny!

And it is too true, most times when they "nip" it's playful. I cringe to think of a little one chomping down in anger...

Concerned(AK) - posted on 02/03/2011

My baby only feeds when he is having a nap or asleep. He has been refusing since 3 months of age. He is 7 mths now. If I feed him awake he tends to bite. So I tell him no! No! Gently sometimes he smiles but lately is beginning to understand .try talking Ur baby is old enough...The Kelly mon website is useful

*Fluffy Bunnies - posted on 02/03/2011

I should've added: rub breast milk into the sore and let air dry then apply some lanolin. Breast milk will heal it quickly.

Katie - posted on 02/03/2011

Whenever my daughter bites, I take her off, tell her "no bite" firmly, and then I put her down. The part that I think works is the putting her down. Usually I only have to do that a couple of times before she gets the point. She was a little nippy about a week about because she's getting more teeth (she's already got 4), and it still worked. She hasn't bitten since then. She's never bitten so hard as to draw blood though. Just try to keep an eye on where she drew blood so that the cut doesn't get infected. Babies can be taught not to bite. I never stopped feeding her when she would bite. When she first started, it took maybe a week before she started to get it, but now it only takes a couple of times. The only time she usually bites is when she's teething. You can teach them that biting is not ok.

Maaike - posted on 02/03/2011

My girl started biting me a while ago too. It was so bad I had to stop nursing several times to be able to heal (I kept pumping to keep my milk supply up). I have tried everything (I mean EVERYTHING) to make her stop and nothing really worked... This week I figured out she only bites me if I nurse her before putting her down for either nap or night time. Now I only nurse her when she wakes up in the morning and after her afternoon nap, and this goes really really well! I am so happy because we were both not ready to give it up entirely. Hope you'll find a solution that works for both of you as well! It seems like every baby is different, you just have to see what works... Good luck!

Melissa - posted on 02/02/2011

Once I saw the first sight of a tooth, I stopped nursing...I didn't even want to take the chance of being bitten. So I strictly pumped after that. I would also try the unlatching trick to stop the biting. Hopefully it works!

Sue - posted on 02/02/2011

When my girls started teething and I'd feel the biting I gently said, "Oh, that's a boo boo ouch for mommy." as I gently put my finger in between their gums and turned it to separate their mouth from me for a second, then I'd say in a friendly voice, "Watch out for the teeth, O.K.?" and usually they were responsive. Babies udnerstand what we're telling them more than most people realize. I used to attend a breastfeeding support group and the mom leading the group shared her story. When her daughter would bite down the mom would say, "Ouch, that hurts Mommy." in a high voice where the baby could relate, and she would get a big grin on her face and do it again. So the mom gently released her and set her down in front of her, still holding her up, and said, "O.K. You're not wanting to eat right now. You're just wanting to play."I know every situation is different, but maybe something I mentioned will be helpful.

Selia - posted on 02/02/2011

Oh and it seemed worst when her front teeth came in. She now is about to get her 3rd molar and doesn't seem to be as bothered by them, other than being a little more fussy. Still, no biting!

Selia - posted on 02/02/2011

I agree with the last two posts. I did the same with my DD at about the same age; immediately putting her down when she bit me. It didn't last long and she quit doing it. At almost 15 months she still hasn't picked it up again. Blissful nursing again!

Chani - posted on 02/02/2011

I agree with Sara. My little one is getting molars right now, and a few other teeth. It's the first time he's actually bit hard, and he does it at the end of each nursing session. Flicking thing?? Pulling off and waiting is a great course of action, as well as pulling them quick to the breast. Make it clear it is not welcome. Zacharie always cries a lot when I unlatch him, but he doesn't bite after I do. Good luck!

*Fluffy Bunnies - posted on 02/02/2011

You can most definitely stop biting. My daughter went through 2 biting phases. She drew blood a few times. I never once gave her a bottle. When baby bites immediately unlatch him and put him down. You don't even have to say anything. If he wants to nurse he will protest. After a minute you can try again. He will learn that biting=no milk. Be consistent and patient. It will work. Here's some more great info that talks specifically about when he's biting so you can figure out why:

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/older-baby/bi...



Side note: It looks gross, but blood in your milk is not dangerous. You can still use it. Your milk is made from your blood. Good luck!

Jodie - posted on 02/02/2011

i would keep expressing and feed him with the bottle. once they start this habbit i dont think they can stop so u have to put up with the pain or in your case u can bottle feed your milk so he is still getting that goodness with out pain to you. sorry cant have more betta news. my middle child did this and i kept persisting with the teeth marks in my nipples but you cant enjoy feeding when its like that.