Painful latch and a nursing toddler

[TheGirls]

So my 21mo DD has been nursing happily since birth, with no significant problems after the first 2 weeks. However, the last week or so, it's been VERY painful for me. It feels like she's dragging her teeth across my breast a good chunk of the time, and other times like she's grinding her teeth around my nipple. There are teeth marks when I get her off (which involves prying her mouth open with a finger).

She's somewhat verbal and she does understand "open wide" or "no teeth" in general, but doesn't seem to get it while nursing. I'll make her open wide, then put the breast in like when she was a newborn, but she laughs, then pulls back and does it how she wants. She doesn't do this every time (I'd say 25% of the time) and it's definitely worse when there's not a lot of milk left (she's been nursing for awhile or nursed recently) and it's worse when she's trying to go to sleep (but better when she's woken during the night to nurse).

I've tried just not letting her nurse until she stops, but she doesn't seem to understand that, and it prevents her from getting to sleep (she nurses to sleep) which makes her overtired, which certainly doesn't get us anywhere...

ANY ideas as to how to get her to stop? I don't believe she's teething, and I know that I'm not pregnant, FWIW. My supply seems good.

ETA: She's also wanting to nurse a LOT. Like hourly, when before she'd nurse like 3x/day. I don't know if those are related. I don't mind nursing her more, as long as she does it properly!

[TheGirls]

bump...

[4beauties]

similar problem

My son just turned 2 this week and nursing was perfect until the past several months when it became painful. Now I think I have a blood blister and have bleeding from the right nipple. Before this I had cracked nipples at the base on both sides that took forever to heal. I had to practically wean from the left side because it wouldn't heal. I have thought of weaning, but he loves to nurse and I know he's my last so I don't want to rush it. I'd also prefer natural weaning, not weaning because of a problem.

I was just wondering if it is normal to have a toddler start to have latch problems! He seems like to suck directly on the nipple and not place his mouth around the areola. I don't know how to teach him not to do this....will be interesting! Would love to hear from others who have been through this sort of thing to know I am not alone and there is a solution to the problem!

[goldfinch]

Bumping. I'm having this very problem. OUCH!

[TheGirls]

Well, I am happy to say that the situation did resolve itself eventually. She mostly does that when she's teething, so it comes and goes. DD is almost 25 months now, and is verbal enough that I can explain "no teeth on the nursies, only your tongue on the nursies" That seems to get the idea through to her. I made her stick out her tongue, open her mouth, and latch. She thought it was pretty silly until she nursed like that, then I think she was pleased with the milk flow you can get from a proper latch. I had nearly forgotten how GOOD a proper latch feels. That and the fact that the nursies decide to go away if she uses her teeth. She's cutting molars now, so this is very helpful!