As a first-time mom, I remember hearing the advice: “I’ll stop breastfeeding as soon as the first tooth comes in.” I often wondered if that would really change the experience, but when my daughter finally sprouted her first tooth at 7 months, breastfeeding remained mostly pain-free. Sure, there were sleepless nights and cranky moments, but biting wasn’t a concern—yet.
Fast forward a bit, and I became a volunteer breastfeeding counselor, eventually transitioning into a lactation consultant. Through my journey, I learned that when a baby latches properly, their gums shouldn’t even touch the nipple, making teeth irrelevant in the breastfeeding equation. I encouraged mothers to disregard the panic about weaning just because a tooth has emerged. After all, some infants start teething as early as three months, and some are even born with teeth! Why should weaning be necessary?
I empathized with moms experiencing biting; it’s tough. I assured them that it’s a phase that will pass. But then my second child arrived, and I had a rude awakening. To my dismay, this little one began biting me right out of the hospital (thankfully, he wasn’t born with teeth!). With my background as a lactation consultant, I knew how to adjust his latch and help him relax his jaw to reduce biting incidents. While these strategies helped, there were still moments when he managed to clamp down on my sensitive skin, causing excruciating pain that made me understand why some moms feel like tossing their babies across the room when it happens.
After his initial chompy phase, things improved until he started cutting teeth at just 4 months. My first child had never been a fan of teething, but this one thought that biting while nursing would somehow soothe the discomfort of his sore gums. Not a chance! I yelped, and I’m pretty sure I startled the entire neighborhood.
Effective Strategies to Manage Biting
Determined to teach my child not to bite, I implemented these effective strategies:
- Watch for Warning Signs: Learn to anticipate when biting may occur and unlatch your baby before it happens. Use your finger to gently break the seal if needed.
- Offer Alternatives: Before nursing, provide frozen teething toys or cold items for your baby to chew on, which will help soothe their gums and reduce the urge to bite.
- Communicate: Talk to your baby—believe it or not, they understand more than we give them credit for. Let them know that biting hurts.
- Respond Calmly: If your baby bites, unlatch them immediately and take a short break from nursing. This teaches them that biting and nursing don’t mix, without creating fear or anxiety.
- Soothing Techniques: Use whatever you find comforting to relieve your baby’s gum pain. Natural remedies might work, but over-the-counter pain relief can also help when cleared by a doctor.
- Stay Composed: Avoid screaming in response to biting, even though it’s a natural reaction. Yelling might entertain your baby and lead to more biting, plus it could cause them to refuse the breast altogether.
Remember, despite following all the advice, biting will still happen occasionally. It’s just a phase, and some babies don’t bite at all. If your little one continues to bite, take a moment to breathe, gather your support network, and remind yourself that this too shall pass.
If you choose to wean, embrace that decision wholeheartedly. But don’t be swayed by the myth that biting or teething necessitates immediate weaning. You have the right to decide when the time is right for you.
For more insights into navigating parenthood, you can check out our other blog post here. Additionally, if you’re exploring at-home insemination options, BabyMaker offers trusted kits to assist in your journey. And for comprehensive information about pregnancy and home insemination, visit the CDC’s resource page.
In summary, while dealing with biting during breastfeeding can be challenging, it’s crucial to remember that it’s a temporary phase. With the right techniques and support, you can navigate through it with confidence.