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Help! My baby bites when nursing!

Wendy - posted on 05/19/2010 ( 3 moms have responded )

5

23

My 1 year just started biting about 2 weeks ago with nursing. Usually it is at the end of nursing. To try and curb this, I stop the nursing session whenever he bites, cover up, say "no biting please," and give him a nook to bite instead. He will cry and scream when I do this. I let him cry for about a minute. Then, if he still wants to nurse, we try again for up to 3 tries. How do I stop the biting? He has bitten me after every nursing session and I am hurting now when I nurse (even when he is not biting).

Wendy

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3 Comments

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Erika - posted on 05/24/2010

5

43

My son turned 1 may 8, 2009 and I still nurse him. He bit me one time only and so I popped him om his foot and yelled "no" It scared him from ever doing that again. Try it:)

*Fluffy Bunnies - posted on 05/19/2010

5,416

9

I do agree that if they bite they're not wanting to nurse, but some times my daughter would be ready a few minutes later. When baby bites, put them down. If he still seems hungry you can try again in a few minutes. Stay proactive. Watch his behavior. If you can tell he's getting ready to bite then try to take him off first. These tips from kellymom worked great for me:
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/older-baby/bi...

Rebekah - posted on 05/19/2010

1,508

5

From my experience (and what I've read), biting means they are not hungry, or that the breast is not giving them milk. If his teeth are touching your nipple, then he no longer has a good latch and he's not able to get milk. So, if my daughter has positioned herself to not get any milk (by biting) then I conclude that the nursing session is over. If it's nap/bedtime I put her into her crib, and if it's playtime I put her down and let her play. I NEVER offer to nurse her again because she's already shown to me that she's not interested.

One more piece of advice: I was told by a lactation consultant (several months ago) to pull my daughter closer to me when she bites to keep her from hurting me or damaging my nipple. So, if my daughter tries to bite, I push her head TOWARD my breast and then help her unlatch... then her nursing session is over.

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