HELP! 3 MTH old got a tooth/bites me all the time

[suddenlyamama]

She is biting me. It is giving me a lot of anxiety. Like every time I sit down to nurse her (she nurses every 2 hours or less still) I start shaking and I am upset because she is biting and tugging on me so hard. I can see her tooth just cut through skin, but what do I do?
I really need help because I am just getting over PPd, but feel as though this is setting me back. sigh

[Petie1104]

Ok, first, relax, this is normal. I know you know that but you sound really upset about this, so I figured I'd remind you.

Now, a child this age CAN learn certain things. DS teethed early so I got alot of practice. OK first, when she bites, say "ouch" not loud, just enough for her to hear it and unlatch her. Give it a minute, just until she starts fussing again and have her latch on, when she bites again, do this again. It will work, not the first time, but she will make the connection that biting equals no more food.

[Petie1104]

Sorry dh had to unplug the internet for a minute so I posted what I had really quickly thinking I might lose it.

As I was saying, she will start to understand that biting means she has to stop eating. She will stop biting after a few times of this just to avoid stopping.

With that said, you need to address why she bites, so she needs to have a teether that it is OK for her to bite. She is biting out of need so try to fulfill that need as best you can. Stick with it, it does get better.

[annettemarie]

Moving out to the main forum since this is (unfortunately) a more common breastfeeding problem.

[cdahlgrd]

If you watch her, she has to pull her tongue back to bite. So when you see her pull her tongue back, unlatch her and give her something to chew.

I said "ouch, no no bite!" and I also would tap my kids on the forhead to re-unforce it. After 2-3 times, they stopped biting me. But some kids are more determined than others, so keep an eye on her.