Breast feeders & past breast feeders ...?

Question

my son is 11 months old. He started biting me when he got his first 2 teeth, but learned quickly that he couldn't bite and nurse at the same time. Now he's back into a bite mama phase, but this time it's only on the same side everytime. I've tried pulling him away, telling him no, and stuff but he just laughs and tries to do it all over. 1...what can I do to get him to stop the bites and 2....what can I do for myself....I'm so sore on that side!!! It hurts everytime I nurse him :( Any ideas are appreciated. Thanks!!

Answer 1

He's just going to think it's funny from now on. I say you should pump and let the little biter nibble on his bottle instead of you.

Answer 2

Maybe he likes the attention when you tell him "no."  Instead, just set him down & ignore him for a bit.  Then ask, "are you ready to eat the right way?" and see if he will change.

Answer 3

He's older so you need to be a bit more persistent and drastic.  When he bites tell him no biting and put him down and walk away.  Ignore him completely for about a minute. Then you can pay attention to him but don't nurse for at least 15 minutes.  Before you nurse remind him to "nurse nicely".

If there is an open cut you can put a small amount of antibiotic cream on twice a day.  If its just bruising it should heal pretty quickly, I'd say witch hazel except I'm pretty sure its not meant to be ingested (note: never use vitamin E cream on the nipple it is toxic in large amount for baby)

Definitely don't use a bottle.  I'm nursing a 2.5 year old and a 9 month old.  You just have to find what works and work past it.  Luckily the drive to nurse is such that generally its easier to correct bad nursing behaviour than other behaviour (like oh say running into the street or throwing sand)

When Baby Bites:

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

(also check out the links at the bottom)

Healing Tips for Nipple Cracks or Abrasions

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mom/...

Nursing Manners

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

Answer 4

My daughter was the same way, and I was pretty impressed by how tough she was!!  LOL  Many babies who are told NO firmly and have the breast taken away for a bit cry!  NOT my girl, she laughed her head off....even the first couple times when I was so shocked by a bite I'd jump and yell in pain!!

So I had to figure out what worked for her.  It turned out what stopped the biting was a combination of NO, a small tap on her forehead to get her attention, and taking the breast away for a while.  She never had a fear of breastfeeding from that, and is happily nursing to this day!

Good luck!

**I notice as she's gotten older that she is much more understanding of a stern look and tone of voice.  When she misbehaves now, she gets REALLY upset if we tell her behaviors are unacceptable.

Answer 5

My son did this when he got his bottom teeth, then stopped, but when he got his top teeth OUCH! He's only 8 1/2 months, but I'd look hurt...not hard to fake...and say NO! firmly. Then I'd put him down, until he was ready to nurse instead of play. It took about a week of sore nipples, but he got it. Thank goodness :) Time will heal the nipple, but if he's really not getting that he's hurting you, maybe pump and give him a sippy cup, or an open cup if he doesn't nurse to sleep...skip the bottle.