12 month old Biting Before Nursing?

Question

My daughter has recently started biting me (and ONLY ME, not daddy, grandparents or other family!) It seems like it is her way of letting me know she wants to nurse. To cope with this problem, I have said 'no' and put her down (this is usually followed by a screaming fit). I never nurse her immediately following a bite but try to distract her for a while with playing or a small snack and then nurse her after usually 20 minutes or so. I want to keep breastfeeding but would like the bruises on my arm to go away! How can I remedy this biting problem? Any suggestions?

Answer 1

Unfortunately, it might be time to wean her.  If you're wanting to keep feeding her breastmilk, you could always try pumping.  Aside from that, it sounds like you're doing the right thing by telling her no, and not giving her what she wants when she does it.  If you're familiar enough with her schedule, you might try to nurse her before she tries biting you, so she understands she doesn't need to bite you to get your attention to feed her.  Another option, since I assume she's not talking, might be to try baby sign language.  She might just be doing it because to her, biting you is the same motion as when she eats.  If you establish a different signal for her to tell you she's hungry, and reinforce it with praise when she uses it (it can be something simple like rubbing her mouth or her tummy, or you can look up "traditional" signs).  Just keep in mind that even though it's unacceptable to you, it's her way of communicating to you she's ready to nurse.  If she has another way to do it and it gets results, she will eventually move on to the signal you show her.