Breastfeeding Issues - Havertown,PA

First question: She probably is getting enough. If she weren't, she would be fussing for it. Because she is eating so much solids, she probably doesn't need as much milk. Also, at 8 1/2 months, she's probably pretty good and efficient at nursing and doesn't need the long sessions anymore. Don't worry.

Second question: She may be biting because she is teething. Have you tried any teething remedies to ease her discomfort? Otherwise, I would recommend that you just keep unlatching her when she bites. Hopefully she'll learn to associate biting with no more nursing and stop.

Maybe you could just pump and give it to her in a bottle instead of B/F... That way she still gets the breastmilk but you dont get your nipple hurt.... ouchy! Maybe she is ready to be strictly on bottle.

The schedule sounds pretty normal to me. As babies eat more solids, they drink less formula or breast milk. She's also probably really active at this age and she doesn't want to sit still for too long! I would just follow her cues when you're home. If she just wants to nurse in short bursts, then let her. As she becomes more used to her new active life, she might start nursing for longer periods of times again. As long as she's healthy and is gaining weight, I wouldn't worry about it.

For the biting, the "No Biting" is the approach a lot of people use. If she latches back on and does it again, then take her off, tell her "No Biting," sit her down and walk away. That approach never really worked for my daughter. I took her off, told her "No biting" and I tapped her cheek firmly. It wasn't a slap or even hard enough to leave a mark, it was more to get her attention. I only had to do that a few times. Like anything, whatever approach you use will take awhile to work, so be patient.

Congratulations for nursing for 8 1/2 months :)

My daughter nursed for long stretches and frequently, but my son nursed minutes, maybe 10 as a newborn, but by a month old he was done in 5 mins or less. By 8 months he was hardly spending anytime nursing, but was still getting plenty of milk. He was in the 98th percentile for height and over 100% for weight. He was big!!!! My daughter was also very big as a baby, but she just nursed more, I think for comfort for her. She also took a paci and my son did not. He just didn't need the sucking like she did. I think kids get all they need in 5 mins or less, and the rest is for comfort. She is probably getting all she needs. I could never get much out out with pumping even when I I did it for months. So don't use that as a gauge for how much she is getting or how much you are making. Kids get the milk out so much better than a pump. Now as for the biting, both my kids did it, but stopped immediately after seeing my reaction. They never did it again, so I don't know what else to tell you except maybe show her how much it hurts you by reacting. Or try some of the many wonderful suggestions by others on here. Good luck!!

Read my two breastfeeding questions recently. Click on my name.

As some one already pointed out, your daughter is, I'm sure, quite the expert at nursing by now. She is starting to explore her world more & she doesn't want to sit there & eat all day. She wants to get in there, get the job done & get out (with the occasional "hanging out with mom for some snuggle time" too, I'm sure!)
Babies this age are usually very effective nursers & can remove an incredible amount of milk within minutes. Even if you were a really "effective pumper" at this point, it still wouldn't show you anywhere near what she's able to get out on her own! So I wouldn't worry about that a bit. Understand that she'll fluctuate on her nursing sessions depending on the day, her mood, her appetite, etc.... Sometimes she'll get in & out of there in minutes, other times it may take her 20-30 min. Whatever it is, just trust that she is getting exactly what she needs, both nutritionally & emotionally.

As far as biting goes, I prefered the "no biting", but La Leche now suggests pressing her face INTO your breast (which does take practice!) until she breaks the seal herself. You can say "no biting" while you're doing this. But since YOU'RE not the one breaking the latch or anything, she'll just associate biting w/ not being able to breath for a second & stop doing it.

Good for you for nursing her (so few people make it past a few months!) & not wanting to just give up & switch to a bottle. You're doing your homework & getting some help so that you & your daughter can continue to reap the bennefits of breastfeeding!

Congrats, mama!

1) The older the child gets, the much more efficient they become at nursing. What may have taken 30 minutes to suckle and consume will not only take 10 minutes or less. I'd take that as a good thing ;) You'd know if she wasn't getting enough by her lack of skin tone, skin texture, purple under eyes, sunken eyes, etc.

2) This usually takes only 2 days to adapt behavior.

1st bite, sternly say "No Biting!", place baby down and keep off breast for 5 minutes, even if baby wants to come back

2nd (same time frame) bite, sternly say "No Biting!", place baby down and keep off breast for 30 minutes, even if baby wants to come back

3rd bite within the same time frame, bite, sternly say "No Biting!", place baby down and keep off breast 3 hours, even if baby wants to come back.

Baby will learn very quickly!! You must be consistent, must also do it all with a stern face - no smiling, laughing, screaming or funny noises.