vampire baby

[Artymisia]

DD is nine months old now. When I was pregnant I'd only hoped I could breastfeed this long and now I don't want to stop. But (actually two sharp little buts) two of her lower front teeth have come in. She used to only bite down when the breast was empty but now she seems to do it like it's a game. I can usually tell when she is going to bite down because her latch changes but I have to watch her so closely the whole time she nurses. Sometimes she even looks up watching me and smiles. I've tried being stern and lowering my voice and changing my facial expression to try to let her know that its not ok but she doesn't get it. I don't know what else to do. Is this her way of weaning? She nurses just fine in the morning when she wakes up, or any time she gets hysterical, or scared, but when it's just time for a snack she plays and bites.

I know I can't very well reason with a 9 month old or explain to her that shes hurting mommy. I don't know what to do. Is there anything anyone has done to stop the biting? Should I just nurse when its safe and when she wants it and bottle feed the rest of the time? Any suggestions?

[prettypixels]

I think I would end the nursing session when she bites, personally. If she learns that anytime she bites, her num nums go away, maybe she will stop. But I have not BTDT yet, and formed this based on reading about mamas like you! Hopefully some more experienced moms will chime in. I personally do not believe it is healthy to just suffer... I know there are things you can do that will help!

[RachelGS]

Don't underestimate what she understands. If she's smiling at you before she bites, she is playing and being purposeful and looking for your reaction. I'd stop right away and put her down, and tell her that biting hurts you. She's a smart cookie. She'll figure it out.

[Starflower]

Originally Posted by RachelGS

Don't underestimate what she understands. If she's smiling at you before she bites, she is playing and being purposeful and looking for your reaction. I'd stop right away and put her down, and tell her that biting hurts you. She's a smart cookie. She'll figure it out.

:

My DD did this too. The first time it happened, I squealed in pain and surprise. She liked that! Then for about a week, I could tell when she was about to do it - she'd get this little impish look on her face. I did get bitten a couple times more, but each time I just put her down and told her "no biting - that hurts mommy."

When I stopped giving her the "fun" reaction, she stopped doing it. Also, if the baby is biting she might be more bored than hungry at that time. I don't think we had more than a week of biting.

Good luck.

[alegna]

She's FAR too young to wean.

Watch her closely. Her tongue should stay over those bottom teeth- you should be able to see it. Watch her closely when she nurses and unlatch her when you see the tongue disappear.

good luck!

-Angela

[Artymisia]

At first I did jump, but as I said - now I know when she is going to do it. I have been stopping when she bites and speaking to her firmly but so far - no good. It's only been a couple of days though, perhaps it will take more for it to sink in. What is concerning me now is that I am having a hard time relaxing when its nursing time because I'm tensed waiting for that bite. Which just makes it a vicious cycle since she bites when the milk doesn't come down instantly.:

[damomma]

When my dd started that behavior I was also at a loss. The best way I found to stop her was to quit nursing immediately when she would bite. She only showed that behavior for a week before she realized it was no fun any more.