He just bit me. (It hurts and its still hurting. heh)

[lotus.blossom]

I need some encouragement to continue nursing. I just got bit very hard by my nearly 8 month old and in the minutes following I made all kinds of threats about never nursing him again. I can't remember too much about biting from my ds1. It probably happened but I was much more commited to nursing back then.

How have you moved on after being bit? I'm sitting here still throbbing terrified to let him near me. I've even had thoughts of exclusively pumping to avoid those sharp choppers.

[lifeguard]

I'm not sure. When ds is restless I know I am scared when he is latching 'cause that tends to be when he least careful.

But I see all these ladies bfing toddlers with full mouths of teeth so I figure it must get better!

[EmilyG]

When my first DD would bite, I'd end the nursing session right then and make a big deal about my "owie". It only took a couple times before she realized she wouldn't be allowed to nurse if she was going to bite, and it stopped.
I think they're usually just trying out those new teeth as they come in, sometimes their gums/teeth are hurting as new teeth come through, and thats why they do it, but as soon as they realize that it's a bad thing to bite mommy, it stops. I don't think they're biting to be mean/naughty at that age, more to test the waters.

[sunshynbaby]

DS has clamped down pretty hard a few time on me too. I stop him and tell him "No biting!" I'm not sure if he understands at this point, but he doesn't do it again when I catch it quick like that. If I'm really injured on one side, I start on the other side so he is more mellow by the time he gets to the injured side.

[kriket]

I am also fearful of the chompers. I can tell a little when he's there to nurse and when he's there to screw off. I unlatch him if he's there to screw off. That's when the biting happens. If he really wants to nurse after a moment or two of being taken off his demeanor changes and the risk of a bite decreases.

I've tried the firm "no biting" and get laughed at.

[beckyogini]

my son tends to bite as he is already in the process of releasing his latch and coming off (so the bite occurs close to the top of the nipple). I'm not sure how to prevent this and it doesn't happen everytime but when it does OUCH! anyone else have this particular problem?

[lotus.blossom]

My guy is STILL biting. But mostly it happens at night now when he is half asleep and I bolt up with all kinds of threats of formula. And then I go back to nursing him of course.

But yes, the unlatch is most of the problem. I remember with my ds1 I would break the seal and then stick my finger in between his upper and lowers to ease my nipple out. But this guy, well, he had a split lip for a week or so and I didn't want to reopen it so I just let him unlatch on his own. But now I try to do the finger unlatch.

[Honey693]

DD has bitten me at least 20 times. It's awful and I'm a tense mess for the next 3 or 4 feedings. The only way I get through it is handing her off to DH (when I can) for a bit and repeating over and over I can breastfeed or was a zillion bottles a day. I really really hate dish washing lol.

[aksign]

I am starting to wonder if biting is more common than people know.. (its more common than i knew!!- should do a poll!!) We have been though several bouts, and it only gets easier in knowing that the boob seems to heal faster than you would think. I used to think of a regular cut and how long that takes to heal, esp if it was getting continually reopened every few hours... but miraculously, it seems to pass quite quickly!! Sometimes I pump for a day while it heals (since I am a uniboober). I use a tiny bit of neosporin (not sure if that is recommended or not but helps) and lansinoh of course. I def. have finger poised ready to unlatch him before his grand "dismount" where he seems to tear it open in a dramatic yank. hang in there!!!!

[honeybunmom]

My son is very sensitive and went on a mini nursing strike after he first bit me. I yelled, "No biting!" and he immediately started crying and then would not nurse. He bit me on the shoulder two days ago and again, I yelled out in pain and he immediately started crying . . . and then wanted to nurse! Fortunately he did not bite. He does nibble from time to time, now. He'll look at me, so, I know he understands he should not be doing it, but he has not clamped down on my nipple in a long time. He's 9 mos old.

[GreenGranolaMama]

This is exactly where I am at with my 8mo. "Ouch" and "No biting" and then not letting him nurse again don't really seem to get the job done... and sometimes he laughs at me afterwards! It is usually near the end of his nursing session when he does it, so I am trying to not let him linger as long. Defiantly going to try and give some of these suggestions a go.

[aprons_and_acorns]

Originally Posted by lotus.blossom

I need some encouragement to continue nursing. I just got bit very hard by my nearly 8 month old and in the minutes following I made all kinds of threats about never nursing him again. I can't remember too much about biting from my ds1. It probably happened but I was much more commited to nursing back then.

How have you moved on after being bit? I'm sitting here still throbbing terrified to let him near me. I've even had thoughts of exclusively pumping to avoid those sharp choppers.

So sorry about your bite! I had a terrible bite from DS around age 8 months. I couldn't help but yelp out in pain, he was clamped on and it really HURT. I had a mark for a very long time. My yelp must have startled him because he let go and started crying hard. I told him, "NO bite mama" in a stern voice that he hadn't heard from me before. After that he bit me one other time, not nearly as hard, and that was the end of that "phase".

Anyway, he went on to nurse for 3+ years without incident. I just wanted to offer my story in case you find it encouraging. The biting can be a very short-lived phase and it doesn't have to mean the end of breastfeeding, or that you will be chomped routinely from here on out.

[tasmith]

So, my DD is only 5 months, so she hasnt bitten yet. My doctor said to just keep your finger at the edge of there mouth, and when they go to bite put it in there to stop. Also he said not to freak out, cause then she might think its a game. I am not sure if it works, just passing on the info given to me.