6 Month Old with First Tooth Bites During Breastfeeding

The only thing that works with my son is right after he bites, break his latch, set him on the floor and walk away for about a minute. I don't say anything to him because once I said "no" to him several times he started laughing and smiling at me. He usually gets upset when he realizes the milk went away and (hopefully) associates it with his actions. When I come back to continue feeding him there was only one time he bit me right away again.

6 months is too young for her to understand the concept of HURT or NO. Give her a frozen pacifier or gel biting, gum soothing something in between feedings to help if she has any pain. You could always pump while she's teething. You've already "bonded" with her so that won't be a concern. Pinching might be a issue also. Put mittens on her hands in that case. Good luck mommy and enjoy every minute with that precious gift.

My son went through this with the most of his first teeth. First of all you will need to be brave (yikes). Second try not to give her a good reaction so no big ouches and gasping as this encourages them to see that new reaction again. You can gently poke her in the cheek to break the suction and pull her off your breast and tell her don't bite. Hold her off the breast long enough to get her attention. Then place her back on reminder her don't bite mama, if she bites again repeat the first part, but let her get a little frustrated then place her back on again reminder her don't bite. This worked for me and we are still breastfeeding at 21 months.

If you know her teeth are bugging her, I give my daughter 2 teething tablets like 5 minutes before nursing, it prevents any pain to me and I'm sure she feels better too!

Watch her closely when she's nursing...her jaw and tongue need to be in different positions to suck versus to bite. If you can see a bite coming you can intervene quicker and calmer and maybe prevent the bite altogether.

Oh yes, I remember the first bite! Those sharp little baby teeth really hurt! When my son did it I said "no" and pulled him off of the breast then tried again. As I remember he didn't do it anymore. But as my pediatrian used to say, "Some kids stop behaviors after one no and others it takes a lot more." I would just keep saying "no" not loudly but very firmly and take her off the breast for a minute or even seconds. She will probably be mad. She will eventually learn that sequence of events means no milk. As soon as you put her on the breast before she bites kiss her and say "good girl" or whatevery your pet phrase is. It just takes patience and persistence which is the perscription for parenthood and mine are 23 and 26 now. Good luck. A.

If she gets frustrated waiting for you to let down, why don't you try pumping for a minute or so before you breastfeed so she doesn't have to work as hard. I'm not sure whether or not it will work but it's worth a try.

My little girl did the same exact thing to me, too. I tried a method that I read about in a LLL book. When my baby bit down on me, I would push her head into my breast (just far enough that her nose would be covered by the breast). This would cause her to gasp for air, and her mouth would have to open. That's when I would pull her away from my breast (when she's not still biting), and then I would say, "Don't bite. That hurts Mommy," in a stern tone (while she may not have understood the meaning of the words, she can understand the tone of my voice). If she did it again, I'd stop the nursing session.

It took her about three consistent instances, but she finally got it. Luckily, she figured it out before she got both top and bottom teeth! Oi!

Good luck! Be sure to use some Lansinoh if your nipples are sore! It helps!

Hi E.,
I also have been bitten while BF! The advice that I have read says to say no and stop that feeding, not just interrupt it. Also try www.llli.org, La Leche League is a great resource. Good luck!

Though some might think this is mean- try giving her a little flick on the cheek and say firmly "No biting!"
It has worked for my two older children (my youngest didn't get teeth or try biting until he was one).
Good luck!

My third child did that and after the 3rd time and she drew blood I decided to pump and feed her with a bottle.
After all,for me the benefit for her was the breastmilk, not necessarily the breast.