teeth hurt i still want to nurse.

[chviegrl99]

My 8 month old has always nursed like a champ not too many problems.  recently she got 4 teeth on top and 2 on the bottom.  we had a few biting instances which yelling at her cured quickly.  but now we have this "lazy" nursing issue.  its like she is using her top teeth to suck?  leaves teeth marks on my upper part of my nipple.  kinda hurts too.  i really want to make it at least a year but not sure if i can put up with this for another 4 months.  anyone else have expierence with this?  dr says pull her to breast to make her release, do a jaw flick, or yell and say no bite, i have tried these with biting and it worked but now it is not really a "bite"   help!

[Anna Phor]

BTDT--and it doesn't last. She'll figure out these new things in her mouth in a week or so.

Until then, things that helped for us: making sure the weight of baby's head is well supported (bust out your boppy pillow again, if you aren't still using it). Making sure you have really good positioning, just like a newborn (belly to belly, nose to nipple). 

good luck!

[McGucks]

Hang in there, mama!  BTDT!  One thing that helped me and my little nursling (who is still going very strong at 18 mo.) wa to help him with his latch again.  I would manually tilt my nipple up and kind of flop it into his mouth, getting as much into his mouth as possible.  A LLL meeting can be a great source of support if you have access.

I would never pull at a baby's breast--no more than I would spank or flick.  A sharp "no, that hurts Mommy" communicates your disapproval without letting her know that it is okay for big people to hurt other people.  If it happens again, you can simply break contact by putting the child down.

It will get better.  Good for you for nursing for as long as you have.  As the parent of a toddler, I can tell you--it only gets better with time!