How Do You Stop a Child from Biting While Nursing?

I used the same method on my son, "no biting" and stopped nursing. It worked for us too, however....I know several other mothers that this did not work for. I am now nursing a new baby girl and I see the signs coming already. So I am nervous that this will happen to me as well. Here are two other ideas I have heard several times. You flick them on the cheek hard (not a mommy's touch) and say "no biting" or flick them on the tummy. It's enough to get thier attention. I have heard this from many mothers, it's hard to do though. Especially when it's your first. Good luck! Congratulations on being a first time mommy, isn't it great!

I would discourage you from wearing a nipple shield. If you research it you'll find it's just not a good choice.

That said, removing him from the breast promptly is a good option.

Another choice, when he bites you, tug a little on his hair. He won't know it is you of course and you are not doing it to hurt him, but he will associate biting with the discomfort from his hair being pulled and stop biting. It might sound harsh to some, I'm not saying yank his hair out...just a little tug to get his attention. It's the same concept of a child touching something that is hot and associating that with discomfort and then using their cognitive ability to know not to do that again.

Worked great for my four children.
Kudos to you for breastfeeding. Artificial milk is just, well, artificial. :)
N.

Everytime he bites, immediately remove him from the breast, and firmly say no, then look hurt and say owwie. It may take a couple of tries, but he'll get it.

It's a pretty short stage, thankfully.

Good luck.

I nursed my daughter until she weaned herself around 15mths. She would bite me as well and laugh, it was a game for her. What helped was I would remove her from my breast and say no bitting, she still would laugh but when she was hungry she wouldn't bite because she knew it meant no more milk. She mainly bite me when she wasn't hungry anymore or wanted to play. She still bite me periodically but very rarely. You need to read your baby;s signs if he isn't hungry then he is more likely to bite. For me stopping breastfeeding wasn't an option because of all of the benefits. I even breastfeed her through part of my pregnancy and I can tell you that was way more painful then the biting when your nipples are so sore but I wanted the best for my daughter and was willing to deal with it. Good luck!

I wasn't able to nurse my daughter past 4mths (I wasn't producing enough) however, when I went to my pre-natal parenting class taught at my local hospital by one of the nurses (who also has children of her own), we were asked how long we planned on breastfeeding. I jokingly replied "till she gets teeth!" I got a few laughs, but the teacher/nurse was confused as to why I'd stop just because my baby's teeth came in. I said "I have no interest in becoming a chew toy." She (keep in mind she's a NURSE AND A MOM) said to just give the baby a firm flick in the cheek. It will startle your baby and it's not a nice feeling, so why keep doing the action (biting) that's causing the bad feeling? It should only take a couple of flicks... and yes it will be hard to do, but think of your pain too. Your baby will still need to nurse whether you're nipples are bleeding from biting or not. Good Luck Honey, and do whatever you have to do!
-A.
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Congratulations on being a mommy.... AND for nursing!

My son is turning 12 months and nurses (He's my 3rd child). He started biting or nibbling a few months ago. I noticed that he almost always only does this toward the end of the session... like nibbling a bottle nipple.

I firmly (not scream) tell him "no bite", put my index finger in his mouth to break the suction/bite and end the session. If he was really really hungry, he'd be focusing on drinking and not nibbling.

You son is probably teething. End the session and give him something he CAN nibble on.

Good luck!

Hi! Its great that you are nursing your son! When mine started biting I would end the nursing session and tell him firmly "no biting". He would get so mad that I made him stop nursing that it only took a couple of times before he stopped biting. Maybe that will work for you. Good luck!

I agree with the other two respones but while your working on getting him to stop you can wear a nipple sheild. The only place I've seen them sold is babiesrus. They will project you until he learns not to bit.

Oh yeah, I experienced that a lot and that's what actually what made me stop besides needing to go back to work (because pumping never worked for me). I stopped when he was 7 and a half months. They aren't gonna stop even if you explain...ouch, that hurts. The baby is teething and what do you do when you teeth, chew on things! LOL. I'm sorry. I hope my reply helped.

Hi R. I'm on my second biter :) but when my son was about 9mths he also broke the skin I'm sad to say that was the end of the line for me. Also I screamed so loud I scared him and we both just sat and cried for awhile. He didnt really miss it after that!lol but my 4mth old has also started to follow in her brothers tracks. I have found that if I tap her on the bottom of her foot and say in a firm voice NO! she stops biting and we get on with the feeding. She's so use to mommy cooing at her that when she hears my voice change that she gets the picture. Babies are alot smarter than you think. I just might make it a year this time. good luck

Kudos for breastfeeding! My toddler bit me a couple times and I said to her "NO, don't bite" and then stopped nursing her for a few minutes. Well since she wasn't used to being talked to like that she never bit again, and weaned at 3 yo Don't give up, it's worth it!

I've breastfed 3 toddlers and when they started to bite, I stopped nursing, said "ow, that hurt!" It worked with all 3 of them.

Stopping a behavior and redirecting can work in many other areas too. I want my kids to know that hurting someone else is not acceptable. We do not inflict pain on each other.

My little girl who is alsmost 9 months is doing the same thing. I've notice when she goes to bite if I stick my pinkie on the side of her month just inside she can't sink her 3 teeth into my breast. It annoys her but she seems to stop so she can finish nursing and everytime after that for the day she doesn't bite the next day Istart the process over. I learned this trick from my mother who breastfed all 3 of us. My godMom also says that if you place a small ice chip inside the baby's mouth there more occupied with the ice that they leave the biting alone. She has 7 children so I guess you could try both suggestions and see if it works.