please help - biting only one breast... can't take it anymore.

[rcr]

My LO (12 MO) started biting me only on one breast (L side), all the time. I am at a complete loss for what to do or why he is doing it now.

It is really hurting me, and he does it so frequently I am in pain even when he is not nursing. I don't know why this started after a year of BFing with no problems.

It is the breast that is a slightly smaller supply, but I don't think it is a supply issue because he does it even when I get home from work and my breast is very very full (I am not pumping anymore). He does it every time he nurses on that side - day or night.

I have thought that maybe it is related to teething on one side? Just a thought... any opinions?

I have tried taking him off when he bites, but that does not seem to work. He cries when I stop him, and then when I start again he just immediately bites again, and it ends up in frustration for both of us. Any other ideas for how to get him to stop?

Please help, I am really at the end of my rope over dealing with this for several weeks now.

[wild fire child]

I don't know what the issue is necessarily, but what may help isolate the problem is if you nurse in cradle hold and football hold on each breast, find out if it's the side he's laying on or the breast.
With my baby, I've found he bites if he's done, rather than pulling away. He's one month old and has been nursing for three days though (and that on nipple shields), so no matter how much pain I'm in I'm rejoicing.
I know with my mom's youngest, he had strong preferences when he was younger, he'd let it be known if he wanted to be on the other side, with no apparent reason or difference between the two.

[Murihiku]

Poor you!

Maybe just pump on the left for a few days and nurse only on the right, and then try again? You can give him the pumped milk in a sippy-cup or something.

Do you still have your pump?

Good luck!

[rcr]

Yea, I still have my pump... not excited about using it though, after pumping 4-5 times a day for almost a year Do you think that may work... I am willing to try anything..

I will try the cradle and football hold tonight when I get home... I had not thought of that. We almost always nurse while laying in bed (he has reverse cycled).

Thanks!

[ahdoula]

I would think you dc was in pain while nursing on that one side. Something about ear pressure maybe? Or a sore arm from a vaccine? Something about being positioned on that side would be causing I would think.

[rcr]

Thanks for the replies. I don't really know what it was... but he has stopped now. He has a bit of a runny nose, and other signs of getting a new tooth, so maybe he was getting a new tooth on that side. I can't think of any other reason.