Advice on Biting Problem While Breastfeeding

Updated on September 10, 2007
K.H. asks from Seattle, WA
11 answers

My 5 month old son just cut his first tooth 2 weeks ago and the second one is almost through the surface. He has begun to bite the nipple towards the end of his feeding, like he is being playful, but it is so painful? Any advice on what I can do to nip this behavior in the bud?

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.H.

answers from Seattle on

It seems as if you have already recieved this advice, but I'll throw it out there anyway. My daughter did the same thing and it makes me cringe to think about it... it was incredible painful. I would flick her cheek when she did it. The key was to do it immediately while she was biting me. I didn't do it really hard or anything just hard enough to give her the idea that it wasn't okay. She soon enough that it wasn't okay to bite. I sincerely hope it ends soon for you though because I know it isn't fun. Good luck.
A.

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.M.

answers from Anchorage on

You've heard it from others, I see, but I'll say it too. I flicked my son's cheek as soon as he bites me. He's 13 months old and still occassionally bites. He's only got 3 teeth, but it still hurts really bad! To tell you the truth, he wasn't all that bothered by the flick, it was more my tone and scolding him, that upset him. He'd bite me, I'd say, "Ow! Marley, no bite!" and I'd flick him at the same time. And sometimes he'd laugh at me, other times he'd feel bad and start crying (he realized that he'd hurt me and felt bad about it, then I'd have to comfort him and explain that it hurt Mama, and that I wasn't angry with him, but that he couldn't do that anymore. And people say babies don't understand a lot of talk, but my son understood what I was saying.) Anyways, so when he'd laugh at me and the flicking didn't work, I would say "Marley, Stop biting Mama! That hurts. If you do it again, no more nursing!" Then he'd usually bite again a few minutes later. I'd pull him off and he wasn't allowed to nurse anymore (I usually gave in again after about 10 minutes) But he would be hysterical that I took it away. I'd explain why I did it and the next time I let him nurse, he wouldn't bite, and was actually very gentle. So, that's my advice. (Sorry, I'm long winded, I know!) Hope it helps though!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.L.

answers from Seattle on

You may want to remove him for your breast when he is done eating, and not give him the chance to get "playful." Otherwise another alternative it to flick his cheek when he bites, he will associate the biting and the small amount of pain he will feel and not want to repeat the action.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.V.

answers from Seattle on

after my daughter got her first couple of teeth, around the same age, she would do the same thing... mainly at the end or beginning of a feeding... i did my best to not respond out loud so she wouldnt get the idea that it was fun... and i would remove her from the breast at the same time. and though it is super painful and shocking... after about a week, she didnt ever do it again... she is one now. i decided that she was just testing out her teeth and wasnt hungry anymore when she was doing that to me. i was nursing shy though for a while after. :) good luck.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.J.

answers from Seattle on

I'm glad I'm not the only mom having this issue!! My son is doing the same thing. Normally I'll break his suction/teething and tell him "Don't bite that hurts mommy". Yes I know he can't fully understand my words but he realizes that when he bites he doesn't get the food he wants. I hope this helps. It's helping so far for me. Take care and good luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.S.

answers from Seattle on

With my three boys, I would take them off the breast at the first chomp and say very sternly "no bite." If it was the beginning of the feeding, I would pump the rest of my milk and give it in a bottle.

This worked beautifully with two of my three boys. They quickly learned that the breast was taken away immediately (and not given back until the next feeding) and decided they didn't like that. My third little guy was just a chomper. After he drew blood the third time, I weaned him. (I think this was around 8 months.)

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.W.

answers from Yakima on

Let him know thats not ok. With me, it always startled me so I let out a "ouch" scream and that scared them too. Eventually they stopped. I nursed my 5 kids anywhere from 9 months to 14 months. Just stopped with #5 and my last, it was hard!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.K.

answers from Seattle on

There is a lot of information about biting during breastfeeding on the LaLeche League website: http://www.lalecheleague.org.
One of their biggest recommendations is to remove the baby from the breast once "active" feeding has ended and the baby has stopped actively sucking. This is NOT stopping breastfeeding early, but rather ending each feeding when the baby gives signs that s/he is about to be done anyway. I highly recommend cheking out the LaLeche League site!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.R.

answers from Seattle on

Scream.. worked for me.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

B.J.

answers from Spokane on

I breast fed all four of my children and my daughter is currently nursing her first. When a baby chomps down we just said OUCH! loudly and jumped a little. This is usually enough that after the first handful of times a baby will stop. There are some who still want to bear down, and if you still want to nurse, a flick to the cheek while saying OUCH! will generally take care of it.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.J.

answers from Seattle on

We had this problem too, I would cry and threaten to quit that moment, called some friends..they said hang in there it's just a phase. The advice I got was to poke their cheek, quit the feeding as soon as they bite so they get the message, and poke or flick their nose. I had to try all three methods at different times, but she probably only did it for two months off and on before stopping altogether. Hang in there!!

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions

Related Searches