Baby Bites While Breastfeeding
So, now that I have experienced being bitten by TWO children, (numerous times!), while breastfeeding, I decided it is time to address the subject.
Let’s be honest, when your baby bites you while nursing, it leaves you feeling mad and vulnerable. After all, your breast is one of the most sensitive parts of your body. If you get bitten, you might think you need to wean, but that isn’t the case at all. There may be all sorts of reasons (see below).
Many babies bite once or twice. Your natural reaction is to yelp and pull away. I have put my pinkie in Willow’s mouth to release her canine grip on me. When I pulled away from her, she seemed upset. Most of the time, this pulling away will stop babies from biting again. Not mine, of course! Both Willow and Birch each bit me a few times. On reflection, I think I was trying to nurse them when they weren’t hungry. They ended up using my nipple as a toy when they were bored. I wonder too if Birch got a kick out of my reaction of jerking away. I seem to recall he giggled (at 10 months) over it.
The general advice over what to do when a baby bites while nursing is: (Adapted from Penelope Leach’s Your Baby and Child: From Birth to Age Five (Revised Edition)
- Say “no” quietly but with authority. Take your nipple out of her mouth to stop her from nursing.
- Perhaps the baby is done nursing, so find another activity.
- Don’t get distracted while nursing. Keep eye contact. The bite might be a way to get your attention.
- Use your pinkie to break his suction after he has fallen asleep on your breast. He might be biting because he falls off the breast or as he wakes.
- The moment she begins to play with your nipple, take her off your breast.
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- Baby Wearing (October 21st, 2008)
- Baby Nurses (October 21st, 2008)
- Breastfeeding Help (August 19th, 2008)
- Recommended Baby Toothbrushes (August 15th, 2008)
this is super helpful – thanks for posting. I have a very ’spirited’ eater, and my breasts are sometimes throbbing when she’s done. I’ve been torn with ending breastfeeding early because sometimes the pain from her bites and pulls seems unbearable, but I think I’ll try focusing on training her instead.