I use to just say calmly NO! (Hard to do I know! But if u jump and fuss try think its even more of a game.) and I would take DS off and put him beside me for a minute and then reattach. It usually only took one or two NOs and he would continue feeding proberly.
When she bites, she clamps right down and won't let go - can I do anything other than hold her nose or something to make her let go? Cos there is no way I can get a finger in get mouth to release when she's doing it. I have been firmly saying no, no biting but I might try taking her well off for a minute I or two.
I am having the same issue with dd nearly 6 months. She has 2 teeth and hurting me a lot! I exclusively bf my ds until 19 months, if this keeps up I cant see us making it to 12 months. I am sooo sore and now getting anxious with each feed. She clamps down so hard I stick little finger in to release and say 'no biting that hurts mummy'. Dd just laughed although last time she dropped her bottom lip cause I think she could tell i was upset.
I really love breastfeeding but even now I'm sitting here they are so sore and stinging!!
Please any advice would be welcome! I don't know what to do?!
My DD2 doesn't have teeth yet (v glad about that) but I do know a few people who haven't reacted so well to biting and it killed their breastfeeding relationship. Definitely want to nip it in the bud now
DS used to bite when teething. Is that a possibility? Not much you can do if it is.. maybe a frozen wash cloth before a feed to numb gums a bit, amber necklace, pain killers if you know for sure shes uncomfortable, patience and trust that "this too shall pass".
For me it helped a bit that I knew the cause and he wasnt doing it for fun.
Hi melissai ... That is my fear, don't want to stop prematurely etc.
Calluna she may be teething, she has amber necklace on all the time, but I think I'll try to wch teething gel prior to feeding. She hasn't done it today... But did again last night so sore.
Thanks for the tips too girls xx
Is there a particular time when she tends to do it? Is she letting you know that she's finished?
If you watch her closely, can you see the 'tell' when she's about to pull back and bite? (she has to unlatch herself to chomp down, so you can often see it and pop them off before they get you)
Also, once you get her off, you can try putting her down and don't offer the breast again for a while. Then she can see a clear connection between biting and no milk.
it is really really hard. I got to the point where I was crying at the thought of every feed.
For me, very early on, I decided that formula wasnt an option, for a number of reasons (no judgment towards anyone else!) Therefore to not starve my baby I had to perservere, there was no back up plan. That is the only way I got through the tough times.
It sucks, I wish I had the magic cure but I dont think there is one. Its just one of those things you have to push through and wait for it to pass. And it WILL pass.
Eta- I really hope that comes across the way I mean it-supportive and entirely NONjudgemental!
Thanks Calluna and mad b....
Calluna I am thinking along the same lines as u, can't see myself doing formula either (similarly to u, just a choice I have made). Thanks for the support and I'm hoping it passes quickly
Mad b, yesterday she was doing it near the start of feed , I am thinking she just didn't want to be fed?!?
By the third time i got my finger in just in time as she unlatched. Last night though it was at the end if the feed. She is being tricky lol. Hopefully nipples recover soon and it all settles down. Ill also definately try putting her down right after i think thats a good idea.
Ahh the joys. Funny how baby's are soo different isn't it. This wasnt even on my radar cause ds just didn't do this at all.
Fingers crossed xxx
Last edited by tippytoes; December 15th, 2012 at 02:22 PM.
Ditto Calluna.
MadB it could be that she is near finishing as its def when she seems to be doing it. Though if I offer her my boob again after, she will still have a few sucks. Maybe I will try shutting up shop after the first chomp and see what happens. I think her gums are giving her some trouble though she does wear an amber necklace all the time.
Thanks for the help, girls, hope Calluna and TT get some answers too
Lots of mums have these sorts of problems and still continue to breastfeed. It's doable It does bloody hurt, though!
If it's happening when you offer, then maybe try waiting till they ask. If it's happening after they've fed for a while, then maybe consider the feed over.
They are clever right from birth and know how to get fed, so it's generally safe to just not allow the feeds if it involves them biting you, if you see what I mean.
Good luck
DD1 only bit me once accidentally very young and my shriek and leap from the couch scared her witless and she never did it again.
DD2 started doing more what you're talking about at around the same age. In her case, it was when she was done with a feed and I was persisting (so hard to tell with this one, she only ever feeds for a max of 5 mins, from birth). I needed to pay more attention to the signs that she was done and def not try to reoffer if she spat the bb out! Fortunately, she's also a sensitive soul, so when she does it and I yelp she gets so upset she cries and my bb is at least free.
Hi Jen, my dd sounds like ur dd2!!! Dd has not bitten for a few days and my nipples feel better and healed. Everything u said re: being done and the quick feeds all makes sense for my little miss!! Thanks rachel
My DS started doing the bite at the start of the feed thing at around 5 months or so - I was offering a feed he didn't want, so he'd bite. I would simply give him a firm but gentle no and shut shop until he asked for a feed. We'd move on to something else until he was hungry again.
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Biting
although last time she dropped her bottom lip cause I think she could tell i was upset.
it is really really hard. I got to the point where I was crying at the thought of every feed.
x
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