Breastfeeding: 12 Mo Old Bit Me Twice and Now Just Smiles

Maybe she's teething and it feels good to bite. Sucking stimulates blood flow in the gums and can make the pain come on when eating. Keep trying to feed and see how she does. If she continues to bite, say no, but then offer it right again. Then if she refuses to eat, pump and bottle or sippy cup her. Once she gets the tooth she may go right back to breastfeeding, or maybe not. Sounds like she took you serious when you told her "no".

Also, I wish someone would bop me on the nose and stop me from eating. (o:

Sounds to me like she's telling you she's done with BFing. My daughter did this at 11 months.

You might have to pump a little to relieve your pressure, but if she's done, she's done.

If she does nurse again, maybe try something else, like just taking her off while telling her not to bite. If I got bopped while eating, I'd stop, too.

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Is she teething? If she weren't getting formula, it'd be easier to nurse effectively since she'd be hungrier. I've never known a situation that couldn't be resolved with some gentle and consistent effort. Don't allow her to bite you but don't make too big a deal out of it. Her level of understanding is very simple at this age. Many of us moms nurse babies until age 2-4 because we've worked through this stage. Some little ones never do this, some do it more, especially when teething. I'd say to hang in there. Talk to her in simple terms as you have been, letting her know she's hurting you and you can't feed her when it hurts this much. I would keep trying, not waiting a long time between tries but just keeping at it for several minutes. Nurse her more when she's sleepy which may help.

A SHARP NO!...take her off the breast and sit her on the floor and walk away. I wouldn't tap her nose or anything like that. Accidents with biting do happen but with a little smirk after, she is playinig a very non-funny game. You should pump or hand express to relieve your discomfort. Plus getting so full like that could make you a candidate for a breast infection. She might be self weaning. My #2 daughter just up and quit at 15 months. We sat down to nurse at bedtime, she pulled away and said "no way Mom, put me in bed"....I was crushed! Try again today, but don't let her get away with her attitude. If she bites again be fair but firm, let her know how much it hurts. All the best to you!

Maybe she is self weaning?
Can you pump to relieve yourself, then just offer the breast milk from a cup?

Good Luck

Sounds like she is done nursing. Try giving her a bottle or food to see if she wants that.

u are going to have to pump before feeding and start storing. By tapping her and saying no sounds like shes afraid now. She doesn't understand when she clamps down it hurts mom. to her thats not skin. She must be teething too. So try maybe some oral jel on her gums before putting her on maybe that will allow her to suck and not get the urge to bite also if she does bit. Just say ouch!!! maybe she will get the hint. She also may feel you being stresssed or upset because she did bite. So good luck and great job for doing this this long!!!

She is at the age where she'll be highly distracted and will most likely only nurse when she's really tired and ready to sleep. During the day, she'll be too active and learning new things to want to sit down with Mommy to nurse. Continue pumping (if you have a pump) and just offer the breast often, especially at nap and bedtimes! Don't take a refusal or lack of interest personally, this phase doesn't last too long before they go back to wanting to nurse again.

My DD bit me for months, every feed, for about 5 months! I thought she was self weaning. I told her NO, that made her cry. I tried the flicking of her cheek, as was suggested here. Still she bit me, over & over. I stopped the feeding when she bit & put her down, on the floor. It seemed, she would never get milk from me again & I was sad! She did, however, stop, about a month ago. She now nurses, no biting, but only about 2x/ day. They like the reaction, which is all they are after. They dont understand that it hurts mom. It was a habit, that eventually stopped. (although I really thought it would never end) Good luck.. I wouldnt give up just yet :)

This doesn't necessarily mean she's done - this means she's learning cause and effect. When she bites, take her off immediately and say firmly "no bite" or "you may not bite mama, that hurts" so she can see that bite = meal's over.

My son had about three brief seasons where I thought for sure he was "dumping me". He was distracted, seemingly not interested, the last time around 16 mos for over a week. Then he came back w/a vengeance, esp when my work schedule got busy and I was forced to work some very long days and be away more. We only nurse last thing before bed - the whole rest of the day he drinks almond milk and water.

So yeah, it may be time to scale it back a bit, but if you're not ready, continue to offer and let her lead.

Well, maybe she's ready for a sippy cup. Give her some time. Maybe she'll quite it. If not maybe it' time. It's sad. I know.

Sounds like she all done mom. Have you pumped your milk? You could just switch her to bottle feedings.

She might be shifting to morning only or only a few feeds a day. I'd make sure she's not teething - teething usually did it for my DD. Tell her she is good when she is good, and try not to be discouraged if she is a quick feeder for a bit. 1 yr olds are very busy people.