Nursing, Weaning, Biting and Teething

At this point you might be able to think about weaning! Can she use a sippy cup for juice? If i remember correctly at this age it was: nurse am, snack and juice mid am, lunch, afternoon nurse (like right before nap) afternoon snack, dinner and nurse right before bed( this was the last to go). I would say no supplements because you are so close to that year mark and dealing with bottles at this point would be a pain! I never had any biting, that sounds like it must hurt! I would maybe find my local la leche leader for some ideas on the biting, I know they would not like supplementing! I would ask your ped. about the milk, you may be able to go straight to the milk.

My son got top and bottom teeth at about seven months, and got in the habit of biting me when I ran out of milk -- which was frequently. (I had had an emergency appendectomy when he was 6 months old. And while I was able to get my milk back, I never produced as much.)

All of the books seem to advise to tell them not to bite -- but I honestly think it doesn't register on an infant that they are causing you pain. They know you are upset about something -- but I think cause and effect for another person is a little past them at that age. So, I finally had to take the breast away when he bit down. I didn't raise my voice, I just said no and took the breast away. I'd give him a couple of minutes, and then reintoduce the breast. It took a week or two of reminders, but he got the idea and stopped biting.

My son is 16 months now and I make very little milk, but he still nurses at night and in the morning. He's just fine with bottles and sippy cups -- and too busy during the day to want to nurse -- but it's still part of our snuggly time.

Your daughter may also be biting down because it soothes her achy gums. So, you might want to try giving her a cooled teething ring or a teething biscuit before she nurses.

Good luck!

I nursed mine for 13 months and he had 12 teeth. He went on a little nursing strike for a day because I flicked him but he got hungry and starting eating again and didn't bite again

I think your baby may be weaning herself. I would do formula until she is 12 months and then gradually switch over to milk. Ask your pediatrician for advice on that. If you want to try to keep nursing, then you need to have a consequence for biting--like not nursing at that moment. I would take her away from the breast when she bites.

Hi--

Worldwide studies show that children will not naturally wean themselves until around 2 1/2 if you practice the don't offer, don't refuse method. She's not weaning, she's teething. Continue with the "don't bite Mommy" thing and this too shall pass. Sometimes when they are teething they will go on what's called a "nursing strike" because their little mouths hurt or they don't want to hurt you. Just keep up with it and it will work out. Don't worry about her not eating enough--she'll eat when she's hungry. Babies are very good at regulating themselves. If it goes on for more then a few days you may want to pump just to make sure that your milk supply stays up. I breast fed my son until he was 3 1/2 and naturally weaned himself, and am now feeding a 4 month old. If you'd like more advice I'm happy to give it, or you can call the La Leche League in your area.

Hang in there :-)

I don't think shes trying to wean, however I do think she is scared of getting told to not to bite when she is nursing. She could be getting frustrated when she does hear the word no. I know also that some moms dry up unexpectedly. If you do decide to stop breast feeding you do need to do formula at least until the age of 1. The baby doesn't know how to break down milk at that age which could cause more constipation.