Baby Biting While Breastfeeding

Teething can cause some fussy nursing behavior as baby is feeling some gum discomfort. The baby teething age is usually from about 5 months anywhere to 2 years of age. A teething baby might pull off frequently and fuss or even bite you.

Some moms think that they need to wean when baby starts biting when breastfeeding, but this is not true. Baby biting is something that usually only lasts a few days and mom just needs to be persistent.

Breastfeeding and teething are inevitably something that mom will need to go through simultaneously...Hopefully the info here will make the process a little easier

Watch the video on baby biting during breastfeeding…

- Deaden baby’s teething gums with a frozen teething ring or ice cube, try to nurse and if he is still biting try again with the ice. You can use a baby sock too, just put some ice into it and tie a knot…let baby suck on it as much as he wants for some teething relief.

- Make some homemade baby teething biscuits for baby to bite on for some pressure relief before breastfeeding. Get the recipe here.

- Homeopathic teething tablets can help relieve teething pain

- Don’t use any teething jell before baby nurses as this deadens baby’s mouth and can make breastfeeding very difficult for baby.

- Baby teething toys can be given to baby before he breastfeeds too

- Biting usually occurs when baby is getting bored or has had enough to drink. Watch for signs of boredom and get him off before he starts to bite.

- Babies who bite should be taken off the breast immediately and given a teething toy and shown that the teething toy is for biting…they are more clever than what we think

- Offer baby a teething toy or finger before you start nursing, if baby sucks then you can nurse, but if he bites rather use some of the teething tips above before you nurse

- Make sure baby is latching on correctly. Sometimes when a baby starts to bite, it's a sign that he is not latched on properly and therefore not getting enough milk. Baby’s mouth should be open wipe and have a large piece of moms areola in his mouth too.

- Some babies have been found to bite mom for attention. Focus your attention on baby while nursing and he might stop!

- When baby bites you can say something like “no biting while nursing” and then take him off the breast for a while…he will quickly discover that biting doesn’t get him anywhere

- Never scream at baby when baby bites as baby might think it's funny and continue or go on a nursing strike

- Try offering baby solid foods first before offering the breast, so that he isn’t as hungry while feeding, as he might be biting because he is hungry.

- Don’t give him bottles or pacifiers as he might get into the habit of biting these and then bite you. Babies can learn to use sippy cups very early on.

- Unlatch baby when the nursing slows down so that he doesn’t get a chance to bite you.

- Some babies bite when their noses are congested, mom can easily remedy this by getting something to open his nose.

- Baby might be letting you know that he wants to wean. Never force him to nurse.

- Praise baby for good behavior

What if baby clenches down and doesn’t let go?

- Try placing your fingers in-between baby's gums so that you can pull away

- Close baby’s nose so that he has to let go to breathe

- Air dry your nipples

- Massage a few drops of breast milk into your nipples (breast milk contains healing properties)

- Apply pure lanolin ointment regularly

- If your nipples become too sore to breastfeed you can use a nipple shield for a few days just until they have healed…just remember not to continue with them for too long as they could decrease your milk supply

- Infants who are teething while breastfeeding can sometimes put a lot of strain on moms, who need to remember to stay calm and relax

Why do babies bite while breastfeeding?

- Baby biting while nursing can be caused by nipple confusion

- Low milk supply might result in baby biting breast because of hunger

- Overactive letdown can cause breastfeeding biting

- Improper latching

- A breastfeeding biting baby might have Tongue-tie

- Tongue thrust can also result in biting breastfeeding

- Neurological damage

- A fussy baby teething may be Feeling unstable and will need more reassurance from mom

- Baby falls asleep on the breast

- Toddler biting is mostly due to distraction while breastfeeding

Stop breast feeding biting by teaching baby sign language

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