biting???

Hi,

DD seems to be biting or gnawing at the end of a feed, usually clamps down and turns her head while pulling away - and when I try and take the nipple from her by putting my finger in her mouth it makes her go harder.

I tried to find the BB article on biting and breastfeeding, but the link doesn't seem to work, even when I did a search.

any suggestions?

also - I was told by MIL that DH got his first tooth at 6 weeks :o I am SOOOO hoping DD is not teething!!!

Biting at 4 weeks is a new one!
I'm guessing that this is a less-than-optimal attachment issue that you are now noticing much more because your bub is getting stronger.

Some babies grab a nipple and shake to get another "let down" or milk flow started. This is normal - the trick is to stop it hurting you!

Try and get more nipple into her mouth - be especially careful about the underside, where you can't see. If you can get someone to have a look. Also make sure that she is held in close and that there is no way that her weight can bear down on your boob. Are your nipples still "normal" shaped after a feed, or do they look more like houses or a lipstick shape?

Hope it's not teething already!
Watch her closely - maybe you can see the signs that she's about to bite. She'll have to pull back off the breast a bit to bite you, so you may well see it coming. Be ready with a finger to pop her off very quickly at the first sign that she's about to do it.
And I would also second Kmn's advice on attachment - have you had any issues with misshaped nipples or pain/damage? If you're not sure, it's easiest to get someone to help you out in person - a lactation consultant or ABA counsellor can take a look and advise you. It's often a quick fix.

Thanks Kmn & marcellus,
I think it might be her trying to bring the milk down. It happens more on one side - the side I have had surgery on, so I don't think it flows as well. And as you say, probably also poor attachment on that side - thanks for those descriptions Kmn, sometimes it does look like lipstick! I have an appt next week with lactation consultant, so hopefully that will help.
Cheers!

milly, my DD bit me when she was just under three months of age, I think it was more accidental and trying to get let down, as the others have said. Boy, did it make me jump! When I yelled in surprise and pain her little face just crumpled, I'll never forget it. :( She never bit me again, but I did pay more attention to what she was doing towards the end of a bf after that. I suspect she was just ready to swap sides, so I was a bit more onto when she'd finished.

So hopefully it's not teeth (my DD didn't get her first until about 7 mths) and she doesn't do it again!

The lipstick shape is not enough nipple in bub's mouth - it will get better as bub grows, but really try and wait for bub to open wide and make sure you get the underside of your nipple in too.
You can also hand express until things are dribbling before trying to attach - that should get rid of the biting to start a let-down, though it will be rather messy at first!