Breastfeeding and Biting!!!

Question

I'm still breastfeeding my 7 month old, he doesn't have any teeth yet, but it still hurts, he bites down so hard he shakes and when I tell him "no biting" he laughs, like he thinks its a game. I'd like to continue breastfeeding for the full year, but I give in and give him bottles sometimes. I just can't take it, he bites so hard I feel it all the way to my back. I can't imagine what its going to be like when he does have teeth....

Answer 1

It passes...I promise...I pulled my son away from the breast and said no and waited a few minutes giving him 'the stare'...he laughed at first but after a few times he realized...you bite me..you get no milk for a while...he quit biting...our pedi also said when he bites I should pull his face closer to the breast...it forces them to quit biting at that moment.

Answer 2

Yeah wait til he gets teeth..yikes! That's why I stopped.  

Answer 3

He is definitely teething then...

My lactation nurse always told me to gently squeeze his nose when he bites down...that will allow him to release.

I mean if the pain is too much ...then maybe it is a sign it is time to stop... because take it from me like you said it only gets worse with teeth. I toughed it out for almost 2 years believe it or not, at first my nipples were seriously black and blue. After about a month my son got used to having teeth while sucking, and luckily we never had a problem after that.

Answer 4

My son started doing this around 6 months - no teeth - but still hurt like crazy, our ped suggested that I push his face into my breast - just for a second - then he couldn't breathe through his nose, but not give him any other reaction.  So next time he bit I tried it.  He bit, I pulled him into my breast blocking his nostrils, he released my nipple, then I pulled him away and started feeding him again.  This taught him that if he bit, he was removed from the breast, when he didn't bite, he got to continue eating.  It took a couple of times but he has stopped biting and I am now happily nursing a non biting 10 month old with teeth.

Answer 5

nipple shields help a great deal. They are meant for the baby to latch on correctly and not to bite. they sell them at any store like wal-mart, K-mart, Target. You will be able to breast feed till a year old if you use this but if you don't and try to go without it good luck if that last. :)

Answer 6

Your facial expression may mean more than your words.  If he is laughing, you may be doing the same thing.  Even if it hurts, he is still cute. Obviously, I am guessing.  Try being a little more emphatic and stern faced, but do not over react.  Take him off the breast for a few moments and then let him continue.

Answer 7

My daughter started that at about 6 months.  I'd just make her stop, tell her no with a firm voice and give a second chance.  We made it the first full year but it was a painful month or so until she learned.(she had teeth at 4 months)

Answer 8

There are a few things you can try. When he bites pull him off and end the feeding and say no. When he figures out that he can't eat, he should stop biting.  After a few minutes you can put him back on and let him finish his meal. My mom always screamed when my brothers bit her. They did it once or twice but got so scared by the screaming that they never did it again. It's the same thing that mom animals do to there young to teach them gentle play.

Babies don't bite when they are eating properly. If they are able to bite they aren't eating, they are using you as a teether. Don't feel bad about ending the feeding and taking a 5-10min brake before starting again.

Answer 9

I struggle with my 9 month old, too, and he has 6 teeth! OUCH!

I (literally) feel your pain.

Answer 10

whats youre question?

Answer 11

he is ready to stop with the boobie!!

Answer 12

My son had 3 teeth by 7 months...hurts like a bugger getting bit.  I decided right then and there it was time to wean him.

Answer 13

then make him use a bottle

Answer 14

u need some hard discipline

Answer 15

7 month old, can be taken off and put on a bottle only or on babby food, you got to do it when they start the bitting, just to save your breast and not go insane

Answer 16

My mother went through similar times with my younger sister who is now 6 years old. Lol my sister breastfed until she was 3 and a half!! But when my sister was about 1 year old she started biting very hard. My mom is pretty tough so she got mad at my sister (yes angry at a 1 year old) and didnt let my sister breastfeed for a while, until she thought my sister finally got the message. you see my sister didnt like bottles and prefered breastfeeding so she stopped biting. Im not sure if it will work with your baby but if he does continue with biting i would say continueing breastfeeding is up to you, although i wouldnt continue if i was you. however it is scientifically proven that babies that breastfeed have a typically higher IQ...??

I hope i helped and good luck!

Answer 17

I completely disagree that it is all about position, it hurts because he is goofing around and not because his head is tilted the wrong way.  I personally would advise you to start pumping.  You do not need to use the bottles all the time, but when you are feeding and he is hurting you regardless of what you say to him you can give him the bottle and save yourself form a lot of pain.  When he does cooperate, then he can breast feed.  Either way he is getting you breast milk and saving you form a lot of frustration & pain.

Answer 18

i have a cousin that  had a similar problem with her last child when she breastfeed-ed her.  it was always painful every time she breastfeed her so she used a cream to help her ease the pain. the cream was rich in vitamin to protect the nipple but is not bad for the baby. she stopped breast feeding her when she turned 1 year old.  dont worry your breast will be fine. goodluck

Answer 19

this means he is in the wrong position as breast feeding shouldn't hurt

Stroke your nipple down from his nose, until his mouth is open wide and then put your nipple in his mouth, pointing up towards the roof. If he's holding his lips close together, it's going to be painful, so start again – it may take some time to get right at first, but over time you and your baby will become experts at this.

Holding the baby with one hand at the back of the head/neck will help to get her in the right position - otherwise, her neck and head will bobble about and you will probably end up with poor positioning. A good way to remember how to get the right positioning for breastfeeding is to imagine you are wearing your baby like a belt, tucked tummy onto you with their legs together and wrapped round your sides

When you have latched your baby on, count to ten - if it hurts then something is wrong, often a bad latch! It may be uncomfortable for a while but you shouldn't have pain - if you do you need to get it sorted out. Take the baby off the breast (with a finger in the baby’s mouth to break the suction) and start again. If you're having trouble latching on think about your whole position, not just fixating on nipple and mouth - especially look at whether you are relaxed, and the baby's weight is in the right place

Answer 20

He needs to understand that it's NOT a game. When he bites, take him off, tell him firmly 'No. That hurts mommy."  Stay serious and firm, and don't give him a bottle. He will learn that if he wants to eat, he can't bite. (He can't bite while actively nursing anyway, so if he starts to chomp down, he's done.)

Answer 21

You can still provide breastmilk but I'd recommend you pump it and give him the bottle.  No reason to go through that.  Good luck!

Answer 22

Maybe you should pump in to a bottle. That just sounds terribly painful.