How do you stop a baby from biting while nursing.

Lindsay - posted on 02/13/2010

My daughter just got her first two teeth this week and has bit me several times. She only ever bites me at night though so I'm not sure if it is because she is falling asleep and then falling off the breast and startles herself or if she is just trying to get the milk to flow faster since I know that my supply is at it's lowest then.
I have tried taking her off the breast and telling her "no" and them coming back to feeding her in a few minutes and sometimes that works, and sometimes it doesn't. I figure she is trying to figure out what these new "things" are in her mouth and what she can and can't do with them and once she figures this out, things will go back to normal.

Durell - posted on 02/12/2010

Ely did the same thing when he got his first two bottom teeth. He has 8 now four on top and four on bottom and doesnt bite my nipples anymore, cant really say that for anything else though lol. Its there first teeth and they dont know till theyve done it a few times that it hurts u. I usually just took the boob away if he bit and i think i flicked him on the head a few times, cause it hurt and he wouldnt let go lol but not hard at all just to let him know i didnt like it. stick with it shell grow out of it when she realizes biting hurts.

Karissa - posted on 02/12/2010

I know this is going to sound soooo mean, but it really works. My little Marley (before she got teeth) bit me once. I was shocked and not ready for it. The next time I knew what I would do. I flicked her cheek as I said no. She looked at me in shock as her eyes welled up with tears. It was the saddest thing ever. I told her I loved her and kept feeding. her. She did it again. i did the same thing. Over one day she bit me probably 6 times. Every time I flicked her, said no, and her eyes welled up. She hasn't done it since and that was about two months ago. Now that she is 8 months old with teeth I have nothing to worry about! Honestly, if you feel too bad to teach her that you mean NO when you say NO, you're gonna have a lot more to worry about than biting when nursing! I'm reading a book that makes COMPLETE sense to me! If you train your child to behave the way they should, then you cut down on discplining by 85%. It makes COMPLETE sense! When do moms spank? When their kids keep pushing... pushing.. pushing.... Well, how about if we just say no, our kids know we mean it and they don't push? No spanking! Anyway- It won't be easy, but I think it's well worth it! :) And yes, I love my daughter as much as the next mom loves her baby. I love her enough to train her to be a little lady, a child people love to be around and is well-behaved.

Gabriela - posted on 02/12/2010

I can feel with you a lot as my little boy "Raphael" started to bite me as well. He has two teeths below and three above. Especially, when he got the teeths above, he started biting me. One of my friend told me to take him off and tell him "NO" (her doctor gave her this recommendation). However, it didn't work with me and I simply stopped breast feeding. It seemed for me that the time is ready to stop and Raphael has immediately taken the bottle (I only breast fed him in the mornings anyway).

Bich - posted on 02/11/2010

Girl, I totally feel you on this one because it definitely hurts! My 8month old has 2 teeth on bottom and 2 on top. Her pediatrician made a good point to stop after she bites more than twice at one time because she is wanting to play or trying to get that itch off of her gums. I usually will take her off then give her some teething tablets that dissolve in her mouth to numb her gums a bit.

Penny - posted on 02/11/2010

My little one has just started this biting thing this week. I am trying to get her to quit too. When she bites me I usually jump and say ouch and pull away from her and she starts crying like I am the one that hurt her. I have noticed she usually bites me at the end of a feeding, just during the day never at night feedings. I am just going to try to watch and pull her away when she quits sucking, so she won't bite me. I think she is just biting when she is full/or wanting my full attention while she is nursing...Good luck!!!

Ryan - posted on 02/08/2010

thanks for giving me your input. its hard for me to be stern with her. she is just so cute and when she laughs it makes me laugh. which defeats the purpose of telling her no! lol

Christina - posted on 02/08/2010

Kaylee has a total of 8 teeth already, she bite me a couple of times, but i just tapped her nose, not hard, just enough to stun her and told her no! she doesnt bite me anymore, she acts like she wants to but i just give her a look and she doesnt!

Lara - posted on 02/07/2010

My little guy is doing the same thing. Biting and then laughing when I say "no". I'm going to try what is suggested here, too. I've heard the suggestion of flicking the baby (on the bottom of the feet was the way I heard it) but I'm not whiling to inflict pain, seems a bit too much like retribution for me. Just wanted to let you know you aren't alone. It's amazing how much those 2 little teeth HURT.

Ryan - posted on 02/07/2010

thank you so much, all of these comments have been helpfull. i appreciate everyone taking the time to help me out! i will definately try these things. we will see how it goes!

Kate - posted on 02/07/2010

When my daughter was a baby and tried biting I did what Sarah suggested, and it worked great. She would just be surprised and let go and continue nursing normally. So it does work for some babies at least. My son, on the other hand, has just started biting and this does not work for him, and he starts laughing like we're playing a game. So I've started to just stop nursing right when he bites with a firm and gentle no. Then I go away from him and try again later (if I think he was just about done anyway) or in a few minutes (if he had just started). Good luck!

Adrienne - posted on 02/06/2010

I had the same issue with my guy. My mom suggested to give a strong flick on the cheek, a firm 'no' and to stop feeding for a minute or two. She said that when I was a baby I wailed, all heartbroken, and only did it one other time. I never had the heart to try this.

Instead I nurse him and as soon as he stops sucking for a few seconds I break away. He seemed to bite when I wasn't paying attention, or when he was done feeding, so I would just stop. We go back to it in a minute or two when he's ready. Also when he did bite I would detach (the pulling baby in thing works) say 'no' and then stop feeding for 4-5 minutes. Bite = no food. He's learned pretty well and now has five teeth and we rarely have to stop feeding because of a bite.

I've also been told to rub the kid's gums before feeding... haven't tried it, but hey! Worth a go! :)

Ryan - posted on 02/06/2010

thanks i will try that. i had always heard that when they bite take them off and tell them "no". well that doesn't work she just laughs at me. and when i try to pull away she bites harder! so thanks for this ideal

Sarah - posted on 02/06/2010

This it going to sound weird, but when she bites you, push the breast further IN the mouth. The reason being, when you pull out you will cause more damage to yourself. And when you push in, it surprises baby and causes them to open wider. When you do this, it can cause your LO to gag a bit, but the surprise of it will stop her from doing it too many times after. It may take only once. I've never tried this, but have heard it works wonderfully. My LO doesn't have teeth yet :) GL!