Breastfeeding My Teething Son

I know that is painful, and usually doesn't get better. And you are right he is too young to really know what he is doing. I know he is young, but when he bites you, you may want to bite back, probably on the shoulder. It would just need to be enough to inflict a little pain, but not break skin. I know that I did this to my daughter the first time she bit me which was around 6 months and she has never bitten again. This is just a thought. If you are not comfortable doing that, you may want to consider pumping and giving him a bottle if he keeps doing it, because it will get worse once he gets teeth. I wish you the best.

My midwives told me to pull my daughter close to breast, so her face was mashed in there. She had to open her mouth and let go of my aching nipple to breathe...so eventually, she stopped. The "no" did not work with my Sophie either. All it did was upset her to hear my voice so stern at such a young age (she started doing that at about 3 months as well) And just keep on truckin' so to speak, with nursing. It is a gift that only you can give your baby....It is an awesome thing.
Many Blessings,
Jenny (and baby Sophie)

Hey! I'm a breastfeeding counselor who breastfed for two years, so I know how you feel! Definately let him know that biting is unacceptable. And he does understand when you tell him no.
The best thing to do is watch. Does he bite at the end or beginning of the feeding? If it's at the beginning, try pumping or expressing some milk before you put him on the breast, rub his gums with or without the breastmilk, just to relieve some of the discomfort. But usually it's at the end. Watch him and you will start to notice when he's done actually nursing. That's usually when teething babies bite down. Start taking him off the breast before he gets bored and bites. You'll be able to tell when he's actually done.
When he does bite, immedietly take him off, don't yell and startle him, just take him off, tell him, "No, don't bite mommy." and hand him a teething ring. Lay him down, and walk away, so he really knows what's going on. A few minutes later, you can pick him up and try to nurse him again if he didn't finish eating, or just pick him up, and love on him so he knows you're still there and aren't mad.
After a couple of times, he will start to take the hint that biting means not only no food, but no mommy for a few minutes!
Remember, he isn't biting to be mean. He's biting because he's hurting, uncomfortable and having to learn how to nurse with these new things in his mouth. He'll get used to it, just keep it up! Don't give up. He will stop biting, I promise!!

Ouch. I remember the pain! My son did not get his first tooth until he was 9 months old, at which time he bit me so many times that I had to stop breastfeeding and pump until he was off his bottle. Since your son doesn't yet have teeth, I'd recommend contacting a lactation consultant at your hospital for suggestions. There is probably a simple way to curb the problem that will be less painful.

I have had the same problem with both of my children. When my oldest used to breast feed he would just look up at me and laugh when he bit me. Granted he was only 4 months old, but it hurt! The first time he bit me I was in shock! Then the next time he did it I cried out a little. This seemed to really get his attention. The next couple time I faked crying. Not for long just blurt out a little. This made him cry because he realized he had hurt mommy. From then on he never bit me again. And believe me he had 10 teeth by the time he was 9 months old. Now my youngest who is 9 months old I tried the same technique with him and it's still almost fouls proof! He occasionally still bites me, but I take the breast away from him and cover it back up with my shirt. When he reaches for more I just shake my head. I do this about twice and he stops bitting! The crying thing really works,though. I child can sense when you're hurting and you need to let them know that they are hurting you, because they will stop when they understand. I hope this has helped. I'm not saying scream at the top of your lungs, just do a little drama cry to get their attention!

K., first off, congrats on your twins!! I have 11 mo old girls and they are the best! My advice is only from what I have heard, as my two STILL don't have any teeth. Try pressing down on his chin. This is supposed to cause him to drop the clamp. And if this and the stern voice do not work after trying it twice in one feeding, he's done til the next feeding. Hope you get some helpful advice from others who have BTDT and you are able to resolve this quickly!

~C. (mommy to 11 mo old ID twin girls, still happily BFing!)

Hi, Kristen! I also had this problem. My son started teething around 3 months (he's now 10 months old). I talked to my dr, and he said the best cure for it, is to just tell him no, then stop the feeding. Babies do not bite if they are geniunely hungry, because they can not nurse and bite at the same time. They usually bite because they are bored or want something to chew on. Anyway, I tried this, and it works. My son is 10 months old, with 8 teeth...and he doesn't bite anymore. It took a few times for him to realize the consequences, but be patient. It does work. Good Luck!

Ouch!! Been there, had that happen. With only my daughter though, not my son. I currently have a three month pld and am dreading going through it again. With my daughter though, when she would bite. I would say no, stop the feeding and give her a teether and put her in her playpen for a little while. She began to realize after just a few days that when she bit me, she lost me for a while. I agree that when children bite while nursing, they are not really hungry. I usually gave her a teething biscuit so that if she was indeed hungry, she would be getting something. I wish you the best and congratulations on your twins!!!!!!!!!!!!

I occasionally have the same prob. with my daughter. One thing that I read, which seems to work is when you feel them start to clamp down, pull them in close to you so that their face is literally IN your boob, they will immediately delatch so they can take a breath. I pair this with the verbal response "No bite" and it has worked every time.

When my son's top teeth came out at 7mo, he began biting my nipple. It lasted for a little over a week. Each time he would do it, I would give him a serious look and say NO. Then I would put him down on the floor for a minute or two. I kept on doing it each and every time until he finally stopped entirely. Stay consistent and don't give up!

Hope this helps!

All 3 of my kids did this to me and I would flick their cheek. The immediate response of flicking (not emough to hurt, only startle) would stop the bitting. Good luck.

My twin boys just turned three and they both went through this. They would also hold onto my nipple and try to look the other way. Ow! I would stop feeding them and tell them No and not nurse them for about five minutes. During the "break" I would rub their gums or sometimes start nursing the other twin and then go back to the first baby. I know time is valuable when you have twins and stopping will disrupt the schedule, just be consistent and it will pass. Good Luck and Congrats on the Twins!! They are so much FUN!