Breastfeeding while teething?

Chelsea - posted on 11/13/2009

I would not recommend using a nipple shield for teething. The reasons are:

1. Often nipple shields encourage an imporper latch and lead to nipple confusion. This can mean that the baby will not latch on without one anymore.

2. Low milk supply often occurs because of using a nipple shield. This can be detrimental to a breastfeeding relationship because with that comes the need to supplement in many cases which leads to nipple preference and then a lack of nursing etc etc.

I would really get the help of a lactation consultant of la leche league leader to evaluate the latch.

Deborah - posted on 11/12/2009

Nipple shields are worth trying, they're a bit awkward to get going but they help reduce the pain a lot.

Chelsea - posted on 11/11/2009

If your son is latched on correctly you will not feel the teeth. Remember that a proper latch means the tongue covers the bottom gums/teeth. Evaluate the latch and relatch until it feels right. You can also play with positioning to get a deeper latch. It is very common for teething babies to take a more shallow latch.

Jen - posted on 11/11/2009

My Roo is just starting to cut teeth and luckily no problems yet, but I did have a friend with a 14mo tell me that she just flicked her daughter's nose whenever she felt teeth and it corrected it by the third time. Good luck!

Adrianne - posted on 11/11/2009

Sometimes taking him off when he does bite and saying no biting helps sometimes it doesn't. my son (13mos) did that and it helped a little he'll get the hang of it soon. just guide him on slowly if he's like my who goes in for the kill you have to.

Shanta-Kei - posted on 11/11/2009

Try Nipple shields. Also when it starts to hurt when he nurses let him know, he'll learn to nurse softer. My daughter is 7 months and has 2 teeth and I still nurse her regularly. I just let out a hiss or a small yelp of pain when she started to suck to hard or bite down. They don't want to hurt you so they cry a little bit and then try and nurse. It may take you a few times to get him to understand, but don't lose hope! If you find even after all that you still can't do it then don't worry, just pump breast milk and put it into his bottle or sippy cup and let him have it that way :D

Shanta-Kei - posted on 11/11/2009

Try Nipple shields. Also when it starts to hurt when he nurses let him know, he'll learn to nurse softer. My daughter is 7 months and has 2 teeth and I still nurse her regularly. I just let out a hiss or a small yelp of pain when she started to suck to hard or bite down. They don't want to hurt you so they cry a little bit and then try and nurse. It may take you a few times to get him to understand, but don't lose hope! If you find even after all that you still can't do it then don't worry, just pump breast milk and put it into his bottle or sippy cup and let him have it that way :D

April - posted on 11/11/2009

If he bites pull him off and dont allow him to nurse. If you can feel the tooth I'd check his latch. My kid has 20 and I NEVER feel them unless his latch is off.



This sounds cruel but my son bit me 2 times and on the second time I ACCIDENTLY thumped him on the head. I felt so bad, but it was like a reaction to someone hitting you on the knee. But, he never bit me again, lol.



Oh, and totally o/t but if your son is fussy from teething -- I use to use the Hyland's Homeopathic Teething Tabs and they worked like a charm! Gave them to my nephew's mom and he loved them too.