Breastfeeding ... and TEETH!!!

You can read my questions about this. I tried the nipple shield but he thought it was a chew toy OUCH! Try repositioning him if he's digging in you.

Try nursing from different positions - I had to do that with my little guy. Instead of sitting up, we lay down to nurse. Put his teeth in a different spot so it didn't aggrivate the areas that were rubbed. Google or search youtube "different breastfeeding positions" and you'll see different ways to hold him. Rub breastmilk on your nipples to help them heal. There may also be some lotions that might help - maybe contact a lactation consultant about the best balms for nipples. Good luck!

Teeth should not be a problem when nursing properly. I would remove him from the breast and say ouch and try again. My kids both nursed with full sets of teeth and I did this both times and it worked. I used a nipple shield for my son for 15 months since he would not latch with out it and he still bit me with it. I don't think that would be the solution. You might need to reestablish a good drinking latch.

YOu can teach him not to bite...just react with a quick "ouch" and tell him to "be gentle"...if he bites again...remove him from the breast for a minute then return to nursing with another reminder to "be gentle"...he will catch on.

I would check the latch. I would try to figure out if he's teething. If so, it might be good to let him gnaw something else for a while. I found that if my DD was teething she needed to remember her latch. If he really hurts, say no, and break the latch and put him down for a bit.

I only used a nipple shield in the very beginning, when I had an overactive letdown. You can still experience pain with a shield, so I'd remedy the cause vs trying a bandaid, so to speak.

Kellymom.com also has good info.

You need to be stern and consistent...

Say "Please do not do that, it hurts Mommy - open your mouth wider."

Next time in the same nursing session "Please do not do that, it hurts Mommy - open your mouth wider - if you do it again I will stop your nursing." Then take him off for at least 30 minutes.

If he is suckling correctly, you shouldn't feel the teeth so well.

yes...i would check the latch too....my son has 10 teeth at 18 months old and I have never felt any teeth except when he moves positions. I am thinking he is not on far enough?? Do you feel it all the time or sometimes?

I think it is funny everyone is giving advice on telling him to stop biting:) You have already told us he is not biting- hee hee

DD was 18 months when she got teeth. I would remove her from her breast and say no.. she stopped after a while. I was a nervous wreck with first kid. you might also talk to you local Leache League - sorry cant spell it. I nursed until she was over two

the second kid 7 years later I could not produce enough for him

When you do decide to stop nursing, forget the bottle, go right to a cup. My daughter never took a bottle and it was a good transition. Yes, there was a learning curve, but it was a good way to do it. Good luck on the teeth thing.

My oldest got all his teeth by his 1st birthday and we nursed till he was 17 months. I feel your pain! I'm sure he's not doing it on purpose, but maybe he changed his latch gradually once he started getting more teeth? Try pushing gently on the back of his neck once he gets started, to keep him close and change his posture. I found it was always more uncomfortable when they pull back a little. If he's on there right, his tongue should be covering his bottom teeth, so you just need to work on the angle so his top teeth aren't pushing against you.