Talk to me about top teeth - why is it hurting?!

[Amber Lion]

My DD is not biting me, she's just nursing and now that she has top teeth it's quite painful. When she unlatches you can see teeth marks where her top teeth have been digging into my areola. She's pretty slow on the teeth thing, so we're really only dealing with this now at 14 months. They popped through on her 1st b-day, but now they're really "in" iykwim and I'm getting so frustrated. I HATE nursing when it hurts!!!

Is this a normal thing for top teeth? I've heard plenty about the adjustment period about the biting, and we've been through that and she doesn't do it anymore, but does it just hurt for the rest of your nursing relationship? That just doesn't seem right.

I try telling her not to use her teeth, but since I don't even know whats going on this hasn't been very successful. Some nursing sessions hurt less than others and I can't tell a difference from the outside.

[mama c.]

I went through the same thing when my daughter got her 1st teeth... It was sooo painful and everyone said its not supposed to hurt! However, now that its been a couple months it doesnt hurt as often (just once in a while) I wonder if the teeth are sharper when they 1st come in or maybe now that she has 4 teeth on top its less pressure! Hang in there!!

[lifeguard]

Ds was late getting his teeth too. I found with each new tooth he would do exactly what you are describing & it was SO grating. But after a couple of weeks he went back to latching properly & it's not a problem anymore.

[Baby_Cakes]

Happens here, too. I think it's just b/c her jaw is tightly clamped. Usually what I do is just unlatch her and relatch her and it helps a lot. When her teeth first were coming it it was really bad. I think they have to learn not to clamp down as much b/c teeth are in the way when before it was just gums.

[kati_kati]

I've seen those teeth marks too and sometimes it hurt, but it's definitely gone now, so I think it's a phase and hopefully it will be over soon for you! Hang in there, it will get better again!

[Materfamilias]

For us it's always connected with a new tooth coming in.

[EzzysMom]

us too, always when a new tooth comes it in bothers me for a while. I try to have her unlatch and relatch reminding her to 'open wide'. I cannot wait for teething to be over, we're dealing with canines right now

[Babydoll1285]

I could have written the OP word for word! My DD is the exact same age (14 mo) and we're having the same problem. Have you tried new positions? I've found a few that work for us but if I go back to the standard position - OW! GL! I hope it's a phase too!

[alacrity]

I am suddenly having this problem with my 14 month old. My nipples are raw and breastfeeding always hurts now. I have no idea what to do but I keep having to tell my daughter no because I am in so much pain.

Her teeth are rubbing red raw circles on my nipples all of a sudden. She is suddenly trying to nurse a lot more and will wake up if I put her down or try to delatch her while she is sleeping. It is killing my relationship with her and my breasts hurt all day long.

Is there something that can be done to ease the pain between sessions?

[blueridgewoman]

It's really normal, I think (unfortunately). Part of it is that the teeth are sharp and your breast isn't used to it, and I really think that part of it is that the baby has to re-learn how to latch and nurse after the teeth come through. We had trouble with each new tooth, even the molars, just because they change the shape of her latch and her mouth.....

Hang in there. And use lots of lanolin.

[SpunkyMama]

We are experiencing this, too. I have found putting my 14 month old in the football hold has really helped improve his latch when he is teething. I also try to make sure his mouth his wide open before his latches. For me it was about going back to the basics of latching.

[Mamatoto2]

Goodness, I SO remember my DD#1 cutting her top teeth. They were like little razor blades gently sliding across my breast with each suck. It was horrible. It abated before too long though and was only those top teeth. I don't recall pain when my DD#2 cut her top teeth at all.

[CliffsideMama]

This happened to me, too, right around 13months. I remember pondering weaning at that time, it hurt so much. I stuck it out, sometimes putting ice on my breasts where her teeth marks were.... and then it just stopped. I hope you can endure! I did a lot of deep breathing while she nursed, and for some reason it really only happened on my left side so I nursed on that side as little as possible.
Good luck getting through it. Our breastfeeding relationship now (she's 25months) is wonderful and I'm so glad I didn't wean her.

[Birdie B.]

I'm here too - I'm glad you posted this topic! It always seems to hurt when she's getting a new tooth - she puts a little more pressure on my nipple and it gets so uncomfortable. But it doesn't last, and I just hope that teething will be over soon!