Barb, anyone? HELP! I can't take much more of the biting :(

[Spring Angel]

I really need help.

After overcoming some pretty serious breast refusal in the last month, DS has now taken to biting me. He is 9 1/2 months and he's teething, fair enough, but surely this isn't normal. It isn't just now and then, it is every single time my breast goes into his mouth. It bloody hurts but more than that it is upsetting me because I just don't know how long I can persist.

So far I've tried.

* Saying 'Ouch' or 'No' and stopping the feed and trying to commence a little while later.
* Putting him down on the ground after biting.
* Trying teething gel first to see if it helps.
* Waiting until he is ravenous to offer a feed.
* Hand expressing until the milk is pretty much dripping out so that he doesn't have to even work to get let-down.
* Feeding in a dark room free of any stimulation.
* Feeding out in the lounge room with heaps of noise and stimulation.
* Trying the football hold.
* Feeding while standing and patting, swaying

etc etc

You get the drift.

I'm all out of options. Last night, after being bitten for the 5th time straight I just said to DH I can't do this and defrosted a feed of EBM and gave it to him.

He is currently screaming in DH's arms for a feed but each and every time I try he stinking bites me. I am almost considering stopping feed and expressing up until 12 months then switching to cows milk. I fed my other DS with a full mouth of teeth and he never bit.

The only feeds he does perfectly without biting are the night time feeds. He would have one at about 9pm, midnight and 3am. Other than that he pretty much only gets water during the day because he won't stop using my nipple as a teething toy. Is is ok just to feed him at night and only offer water during the day? He has a wonderful and varied diet and eats whatever we are having.

Tell me there's hope. Tell me I should persist and not just start expressing. Tell me how long I should expect this to continue.

After the breast refusal, now this, it's really getting me down.

Spring xx

[Willow]

OK....I think you've tried just about everything I would have suggested!

It is reassuring that he is still having his night feeds though, that is something to hold on to. I am not sure what the advice would be re feeding at night and offering water during the day so I will leave that up to the experts.

The only other thing I can think of is to TRY (and I KNOW how difficult it would be) not to react at all when he bites. I know, it would be nearly impossible, but maybe it is the reaction he is getting that makes him keep biting? All three of mine have bitten during teething, but not persistently as you've described.

I'm sorry hun, I wish I had some better advice, but I will think on it and come back if I come up with anything. Have you called the ABA helpline?

[Spring Angel]

Thanks Willow. After chatting to you on FB I snuck in and gave him a dream feed which thankfully he took. I'll try and try again I guess but far out it hurts.

[Beach Mama]

I feel for you hun, we had the same thing when J was teething and I tried everything you mentioned. There is hope though, I found that each time I was about to wean him to formula he ended up stopping and feeding properly again. Each time he cut new teeth we went through an adjustment stage and it was sort of like he had to find a new way to feed with the new teeth. I hope it passes soon xoxox

[Spring Angel]

Thanks Tan. It's reassuring to hear that other people have been through it and managed to continue to feed.

[Kmn]

Have you tried feeding during the day lying down? The main advantage is that you can keep him in really close so while he may clamp down he can't clamp down and pull away.

[Beach Mama]

Wooo! One day at a time hun, that is all any of us cam do and fingers crossed he settles down and stops using you as a teether xox

[Baby14]

Spring, that's fabulous news!
Well done to you for persisting, I know how hard it can get You are doing a fabulous job!

[trishalishous]

Thats great to hear!! Hope this continues!!!!

[Swoop]

Spring, I am so happy to read your last post. I've tried to reply to you several times, as I've been through a couple of biting phases with my little one, but the pesky iPhone keeps playing up! I hope the 'no biting' continues for you

[Loula]

Woohoo spring. This is great news to hear. Hopping he got the message no mucking around now!

Go for you for beating this challenge.

[Spring Angel]

Hi gorgeous girls. Well I'm not going to jinx myself by saying the biting is over, it isn't but I can report that DS is now feeding during the day without biting. He has started the 'I'm finished nip' but I've learnt to anticipate it and break suction when he is finished and just mucking around. Boy this has been an epic struggle, at one stage I really didn't think I could go on. My poor boobies had just about as much as they could take. I'm so glad I've persisted. I hope if anyone else reads this in future who has a biting bub they feel a sense of hope.

So onwards and upwards. Next goal is 12 months and hopefully much longer after that.

Spring xx

[onthefly]

Well done you! Soooo, glad it's better now and you've survived

[Baby14]

That's fabulous news! Well done!