Breastfeeding, Biting/Teething on Nipple, and a Cold

First off, how much you can pump is NO indication of how much milk he is getting. Babies are MUCH more efficient than any pump. I could never pump out more than an oz or 2 -- even when full engorged and trying for 30 minutes.

Keep nursing! If he has a cold, it's hard to breathe through his nose so he'll break off more often when nursing. My kids never liked to nurse much when they had a cold so they just ate less but were OK. It's just for a few days or a week. The teething doesn't help, either. Sometimes nursing can make teething hurt more due to the pressure/suction on the gums/teeth. You got a double-whammy. :-(

Try motrin for the teething. It'll reduce the swelling (tylenol doesn't do that) and when teething, it's the gums swelling that hurt. Before nursing, try suctioning his nose so he'll be able to breath better. Use a few drops of nose saline solution (little bottles for babies are next to other cold medicine) and then suction out with a bulb syringe.

Remember that babies can't actively nurse and bite at the same time -- unless they bite their tongue, which they won't do because, well, it hurts! :-) So, watch your little guy very carefully when he's nursing. When he stops actively nursing for any reason, pull him off. Give him a minute to breathe and then let him latch back on. If he's not actively nursing and just holding your nipple in his mouth, you can usually tell if he's moving his tongue around or starts a 'chewing' motion. Time to pull him off when he does that.

Good luck! I'm currently breastfeeding my 3rd child. Everyone of them has bit me at least once - always when sick or teething. If you keep pulling him off, sternly saying "no biting" and not letting him nurse for a minute he'll learn rather quickly. And it's just a cold/teething... he'll be back to his old self in a few days. Which seems like an eternity right now for you.... but it's just a blink of an eye when you look back after a couple years.

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Here's what worked for me. When he bites, press his head firmly into your breast. He won't be able to breathe and will immediately let go of your nipple. Then look him in the eye, say "NO", put him on the floor and walk away. He won't like it, but it was the only thing that worked for me and my boys.

Hi M.
I am going through the same thing!! My baby is almost 8 months old and now has 2 teeth, and so far he has bitten me several time and ues it HURTS! I work so I pump for him and I breastfeed him before I leave the house and when I come back. I was thinking of switching to formula in a month, he will be 9 months old which I think is perfect. The most crucial time for breastfeeding is up tp 6 months and if for any reason you want to stop, in my opinion don't feel bad. About the milk supply, mine is also decreasing which is normal because they are eating solid food now. I feel your pain, so be strong and good luck.

M.,

Part of the reason you are not producing much is because you are supplementing with formula sometimes. Actually, children never need formula at all, and breast milk is MUCH better for them. The key here is to drink lots of water, and nurse more--both more frequently and for longer sessions.

When your baby nips, tell him "NO!" and if he nips again, take the breast away for a moment. If he clamps on tight, just break suction by putting your finger in the side of his mouth, or gently pinch shut his nose for just a moment, and he will let go immediately. Tell him that biting hurts. My guys got teeth at 4 months, and we nursed until they were 2 (so, yes, they had an entire mouthful of teeth). The first time I got chomped, I jumped suddenly and scared the baby. He didn't really try to bite after that. My second son needed a little gentle training. As soon as your son realizes that nursing is a contract between mom and baby, and not an inalienable right no matter what he does, he will stop biting, and nurse gently.

Best wishes,
K.

I strongly recommend talking to a lactation consultant. The ones at the Elizabeth Blackwell Center in Columbus were always extremely helpful to me. Call Riverside Hospital at ###-###-#### for the phone number. Your local hospital should also be able to put you in touch with one. I had this problem at 15 months, and one recommendation was to immediately remove the baby from the breast with a firm "No!" This may help depending on the age of your baby. I would only discontine breastfeeding as a last resort. Your milk supply could decrease if you are only pumping, and your baby does not have the crucial benefit of the comfort nursing gives, especially when ill and teething. Good luck!

Do like I did and he won't bite you. You need to show him it hurts. He doesn't know that even if you yell out. I am sure he thinks that is funny. What I did was put my sons fingers in my mouth when he nursed and if he bit me I bit him just as hard. When he would stop and look at me funny I would say it hurts. You bite me I bite you. It didn't take long and I nursed well after one year.

Hi M.,

You've gotten some great responses so far, but I just wanted to add one thing. My daughter did do some accidental biting here & there, and I dealt with it the same ways that everyone else is describing. However, we did have one time where it seemed like she was biting me constantly because it hurt SO MUCH every time she latched on! At first I thought it was teething and was getting so frustrated that I was ready to wean her completely. But then I noticed that my nipples were very red and kind of dry/flaky, and they were super-sensitive with the pump as well. After consulting my favorite Dr. Sears Breastfeeding Book, I decided that it might be yeast and called my OB/GYN. She prescribed the single dose flucanizole pill, and my pain was 85% better within a few hours. So if for some reason you try everyone else's advice and it still hurts, please ask your doctor about treating for yeast before you decide to give up nursing completely.

Good luck!

This is normal, so hang in there. Part of it is the cold, if he can't breathe through his nose, he will mouth breathe..break suction,chop, etc. The other is the teething. Just take him off if he unlatches to breathe or towards the end of the feeding. If he is old enough and peds says ok, some cold medicine will help. Don't fight with him, offer nicely and he doesn't want it, then do something else...not a bunch of formula but water/pedilyte is fine, then nurse later. Your supply and his interest will pick back up when he feels better. Your nipples will thank you!

C., IBCLC and momma

I was taught to stop the biting by just taking the back of the baby's head and pushing them (strongly) into the breast more. Never had any problems after that.

Hi M.,

Teething does stop. You can also teach your baby not to bite. Contact your local La Leche League group and attend a couple meetings to learn how to get through this rough patch. To find a group near you go to: www.llli.org

Best wishes,

S.

Cruel and harsh as it sounds my sister-in-law and a friend both flicked their children, told them "no" very emphatically and then just gave them a bottle when they bite. The next feeding they would again offer the breast.
I am really old school, you bite me I tell you "no" the first time the second time I bite back. My children quit biting really fast.

Here is what always worked for me. When the baby bites, scream! When the baby startles and stops nursing, say "No bites!" They quickly put it together that biting is not a good thing. Good luck with continuing breastfeeding!

When he bites u, push him into your breast. he will stop biting. this was a tip from EBC.