Teeth scraping

[Magistra]

My almost 9-month-old has 6 teeth, 4 on top and 2 on bottom. We seem to have gotten over the purposeful biting phase, but he's always getting me with his teeth. Sometimes it feels like a pinch, sometimes he scrapes my nipples when he pulls off (as he often does, which takes away the option of taking him off). It's worse at night when he's tired, and I wake up with both nipples red and sore. (He's also a bad sleeper, always has been, waking every 40-120 minutes all night long.) My breastfeeding book is no help and I'm not sure how to remedy this.

[sammymama]

So sorry you are going through this - not fun! I found the worst of my DD's biting phases were 9-10 mos and again at 13 mos - both times she was cutting 4 teeth at once. (She's also a very challenged sleeper and bobbed on and off all throughout the night, so I really feel for you.) When she was at the height of the scraping I was vigilant while she was eating and the second it felt like she was slowing or stopping I would slide my pinky in the corner of her mouth and pop her off before she scraped off on her own. I felt a little badly ending before she might've been ready, and once in awhile she would really protest and we'd have to nurse a little longer, but when it got really bad that is what saved me. I also had some of the Jack Newman all-purpose nipple cream on hand and would slather some on a few times a day (she did puncture the skin several times). The longest it went on was during the 13 mo phase and that was about 8-10 days total (felt like eons). I hope that helps!

[Magistra]

Thanks. I haven't been good about using cream, mostly because I think I got rid of all my breast pads once my supply evened out. I should see if I can dig a couple up or go ahead and spring for disposables. We do think he's got a couple more teeth coming in now and his latch just seems off. I'm hoping he figures that out soon.

[EmilyG]

My dd does this the worst when she has a cold and can't breathe well through her nose, she pops off often then to catch her breath too, which doesn't help. I don't have any advise, but it does seem to get better for us when she can breathe through her nose better!

[LiamsMommy]

I am having the same problem with dd. But only on the left side. I actually have a little crack just above the nipple. It sure stings when sh latches or scrapes off. i just started using the nipple cream again. I still have to wear pads all the time anyway