Breastfeeding, Biting/Teething on Nipple, and a Cold

Cruel and harsh as it sounds my sister-in-law and a friend both flicked their children, told them "no" very emphatically and then just gave them a bottle when they bite. The next feeding they would again offer the breast.
I am really old school, you bite me I tell you "no" the first time the second time I bite back. My children quit biting really fast.

First off, how much you can pump is NO indication of how much milk he is getting. Babies are MUCH more efficient than any pump. I could never pump out more than an oz or 2 -- even when full engorged and trying for 30 minutes.

Keep nursing! If he has a cold, it's hard to breathe through his nose so he'll break off more often when nursing. My kids never liked to nurse much when they had a cold so they just ate less but were OK. It's just for a few days or a week. The teething doesn't help, either. Sometimes nursing can make teething hurt more due to the pressure/suction on the gums/teeth. You got a double-whammy. :-(

Try motrin for the teething. It'll reduce the swelling (tylenol doesn't do that) and when teething, it's the gums swelling that hurt. Before nursing, try suctioning his nose so he'll be able to breath better. Use a few drops of nose saline solution (little bottles for babies are next to other cold medicine) and then suction out with a bulb syringe.

Remember that babies can't actively nurse and bite at the same time -- unless they bite their tongue, which they won't do because, well, it hurts! :-) So, watch your little guy very carefully when he's nursing. When he stops actively nursing for any reason, pull him off. Give him a minute to breathe and then let him latch back on. If he's not actively nursing and just holding your nipple in his mouth, you can usually tell if he's moving his tongue around or starts a 'chewing' motion. Time to pull him off when he does that.

Good luck! I'm currently breastfeeding my 3rd child. Everyone of them has bit me at least once - always when sick or teething. If you keep pulling him off, sternly saying "no biting" and not letting him nurse for a minute he'll learn rather quickly. And it's just a cold/teething... he'll be back to his old self in a few days. Which seems like an eternity right now for you.... but it's just a blink of an eye when you look back after a couple years.

Here's what worked for me. When he bites, press his head firmly into your breast. He won't be able to breathe and will immediately let go of your nipple. Then look him in the eye, say "NO", put him on the floor and walk away. He won't like it, but it was the only thing that worked for me and my boys.

I taught my daughters not to bite, by touching their cheeks. When they chomp down, I would put my thumb and forefinger on their cheeks, like I was going to squeeze and say firmly "no biting, that hurts mommy!" As soon as you touch them that way, they will be startled and let go. It took once or twice of that, then afterwards whenever I felt that they might be thinking about biting, I would put just one finger on their cheek and say "no biting." Actually it's good to teach your child this, because as they get more and more teeth, they will chomp peoples fingers and legs and arms. It feels good to them to bite down. If they know the signal and words for "no biting" you'll have a much easier time stopping it later. Hang in there, its just a small bump in the road!

Here is what always worked for me. When the baby bites, scream! When the baby startles and stops nursing, say "No bites!" They quickly put it together that biting is not a good thing. Good luck with continuing breastfeeding!

Hi M.,

Teething does stop. You can also teach your baby not to bite. Contact your local La Leche League group and attend a couple meetings to learn how to get through this rough patch. To find a group near you go to: www.llli.org

Best wishes,

S.

I was taught to stop the biting by just taking the back of the baby's head and pushing them (strongly) into the breast more. Never had any problems after that.

This is normal, so hang in there. Part of it is the cold, if he can't breathe through his nose, he will mouth breathe..break suction,chop, etc. The other is the teething. Just take him off if he unlatches to breathe or towards the end of the feeding. If he is old enough and peds says ok, some cold medicine will help. Don't fight with him, offer nicely and he doesn't want it, then do something else...not a bunch of formula but water/pedilyte is fine, then nurse later. Your supply and his interest will pick back up when he feels better. Your nipples will thank you!

C., IBCLC and momma

When he bites u, push him into your breast. he will stop biting. this was a tip from EBC.

Do like I did and he won't bite you. You need to show him it hurts. He doesn't know that even if you yell out. I am sure he thinks that is funny. What I did was put my sons fingers in my mouth when he nursed and if he bit me I bit him just as hard. When he would stop and look at me funny I would say it hurts. You bite me I bite you. It didn't take long and I nursed well after one year.

M.,
I have been in that boat with you! My 8 1/2 m.o. son went through the same thing a couple of weeks ago. I say, if you want to nurse him until he is a year, then go for it! It may be a tough week or so, but it is best for him.

He may not be eating as well because he doesn't feel good. If he is congested then his tummy may be full of snot (I know, gross!) Imagine how you feel about eating when you are under the weather...especially if when you add a toothache on top of it! He will feel better soon and get back to his normal routine. Hang in there and don't give up on him.

Don't worry so much about you milk supply slowing down. You will not dry up due to a week of poor feedings. Once he is feeling better, he will eat more, which will trigger your body to make more milk. Also, try eating more oatmeal (for breakfast, cookies...) it is a natural milk-making enhancer:)I agree with the other advice about pumping more, drinking more water, and NOT supplementing with formula (unless you absolutely HAVE to, although I have never done this). If you cannot tolerate nursing due to your nipples hurting but can tolerate pumping...then keep at it.

As for the biting, my son does that too. He tends to bite when he is teething and when I attempt to nurse him but he isn't hungry. I have gently flicked him on the cheek and firmly said "no bite, that hurts". I then offer a breast again and if he bites, I take it away. I won't attempt to nurse him unless he gives me signals that he wants to nurse. If he is hungry, he will nurse and not bite. If he is not hungry, why force him to nurse???

You seem to be doing a great job by putting your son's best interests first. He is haveing a rough week so be patient with him. Everyone has to do what is right for them and their kids, but like I said before, if you want to nurse for 1 year, then do it! Just please, don't quite nursing him because it is the "easy" way out. I don't want to harp too much, but breastmilk really is the best thing for him !-)

You have received some great advice so far, and I only skimmed. I didn't see this suggestion though...Pump more often. The more often you pump or nurse the more your body makes since you will only produce what your baby is needing. Also, just like adults, kids don't eat as much when they are sick. I would also suction his nose out before he eats to make it easier for him to breath. And yes I know he will hate it, and you will hate it, and his screaming will make you cry (I have been there and I learned the HARD way to just DO IT b.c it MUST be done). Plus the crying he does will be a blessing b.c the crying loosens up the snot which makes it easier to get out (as gross as that is). Best of Luck and hang in there :)

M.,

Part of the reason you are not producing much is because you are supplementing with formula sometimes. Actually, children never need formula at all, and breast milk is MUCH better for them. The key here is to drink lots of water, and nurse more--both more frequently and for longer sessions.

When your baby nips, tell him "NO!" and if he nips again, take the breast away for a moment. If he clamps on tight, just break suction by putting your finger in the side of his mouth, or gently pinch shut his nose for just a moment, and he will let go immediately. Tell him that biting hurts. My guys got teeth at 4 months, and we nursed until they were 2 (so, yes, they had an entire mouthful of teeth). The first time I got chomped, I jumped suddenly and scared the baby. He didn't really try to bite after that. My second son needed a little gentle training. As soon as your son realizes that nursing is a contract between mom and baby, and not an inalienable right no matter what he does, he will stop biting, and nurse gently.

Best wishes,
K.

Hi M.
I am going through the same thing!! My baby is almost 8 months old and now has 2 teeth, and so far he has bitten me several time and ues it HURTS! I work so I pump for him and I breastfeed him before I leave the house and when I come back. I was thinking of switching to formula in a month, he will be 9 months old which I think is perfect. The most crucial time for breastfeeding is up tp 6 months and if for any reason you want to stop, in my opinion don't feel bad. About the milk supply, mine is also decreasing which is normal because they are eating solid food now. I feel your pain, so be strong and good luck.

Hi M.,

You've gotten some great responses so far, but I just wanted to add one thing. My daughter did do some accidental biting here & there, and I dealt with it the same ways that everyone else is describing. However, we did have one time where it seemed like she was biting me constantly because it hurt SO MUCH every time she latched on! At first I thought it was teething and was getting so frustrated that I was ready to wean her completely. But then I noticed that my nipples were very red and kind of dry/flaky, and they were super-sensitive with the pump as well. After consulting my favorite Dr. Sears Breastfeeding Book, I decided that it might be yeast and called my OB/GYN. She prescribed the single dose flucanizole pill, and my pain was 85% better within a few hours. So if for some reason you try everyone else's advice and it still hurts, please ask your doctor about treating for yeast before you decide to give up nursing completely.

Good luck!

You didn't say how old your baby is. You can't use Motrin until 6 months. I'm sure there's a reason, I don't know it:(
When he's back to nursing a lot, if you feel like your suplly dropped, eat oatmeal for breakfast each day and go get some fenugreek capsules, 2-3 with each meal will up your supply in under 72 hours.
Whenever he's got a cold, you can drip some breastmilk in each nostril instead of saline. It's got the added bennefits of being body temp, and it's anti-bacterial and anti-viral! Wait a minut or two and then snuff it out with the aspirator.
Keep it up! ;) My first sone never cared how sick he was or what else was going on, nothing was more important that eating. But #2 gives me a run for my money when it comes to nursing!

I strongly recommend talking to a lactation consultant. The ones at the Elizabeth Blackwell Center in Columbus were always extremely helpful to me. Call Riverside Hospital at ###-###-#### for the phone number. Your local hospital should also be able to put you in touch with one. I had this problem at 15 months, and one recommendation was to immediately remove the baby from the breast with a firm "No!" This may help depending on the age of your baby. I would only discontine breastfeeding as a last resort. Your milk supply could decrease if you are only pumping, and your baby does not have the crucial benefit of the comfort nursing gives, especially when ill and teething. Good luck!