Guest post by Khaye Brotonel
Do you remember the joyous feeling of…
…noticing a white cap breaking through your baby’s swollen gums?
I sure do, one that will be added to the book of milestones.
But the moment of cuteness is bound to be over soon…
…as the baby learns that aside from the comfort of gnawing on his teether, he can do the same with your nipples.
Note however, that it is not possible for a baby to suck milk and bite at the same time. If he is using his front teeth to bite, it means he is not positioned for nursing (the breast far back in his mouth). Chances are, he is done nursing.
So the next time you feel guilty for stopping your baby from nursing the second you feel the sting of those pearly whites, don’t.
Scream all you want, but that will just do more harm than good…
It’s difficult not to let out a scream when the baby catches you by surprise, so who are we kidding here? I, for one, have always screamed in varying volumes every time the little boy bites hard.
That was until I read the consequences of yelling.
Some babies find it funny to see your reaction and mistake it to mean that you are stimulating his funny bone.
Expectedly, he will repeat the biting to get the same reaction from you.
But if the scream is loud enough to scare them, babies can go on nursing strike and completely reject your breast. So, what is there to do?
Here are some tips which you can try:
1. Slowly withdraw your breast then send the message across that it’s not okay to bite
You can withdraw your breast slowly by latching improperly. Then, proceed to insert a finger into your baby’s mouth as you pull down the lower jaw and then pull off your breast.
You can also quickly pinch the baby’s nose, or press him closer to your breast until he opens up his mouth to breathe – pulling off your breast will be easy.
Once the little one has stopped nursing, it is the perfect time to communicate firmly that he is not supposed to bite. Older babies can be told firmly with this message, but you will have to be creative in sending it across younger babies.
2. Alleviate teething pain if the reason for biting is the baby’s itchy gums
If you notice your baby has itchy gums, alleviate the teething pain first. Give him his teether, a cold washcloth, or a frozen banana.
You can thwart a possible biting incident by getting down to the actual issue and giving the baby a solution other than your breast.
3. Minimize the distraction as he nurses
Babies bite because they want to play or get mommy’s attention. You can minimize the distraction as he nurses – turn off the television, dim the lights, put down your Blackberry or iPhone, and go to a quiet room where you can have some time alone with him.
4. Take cues on whether the baby is hungry or done nursing
If he is not yet hungry when latched, he may lose interest in nursing and do other things instead, like biting your breast.
So, observe if he is done nursing to pre-empt biting by pulling off the breast once done.
5. Maintain a steady milk supply
Some babies bite to get more milk from your breast. The bite of frustration and hunger can be more painful than a playful bite so you might want to look for ways to increase your milk supply to meet his demands.
Clogged milk ducts also cause milk supply to decrease. (See your lactation consultant or read on how to deal with clogged milk ducts.)
There are plenty of ways to prevent babies from biting. So the next time you feel the pang of those pearly little whites, do not be too hard on yourself – or your baby. Try these tips and see what works for you. ☺
Author Bio:
Khaye, a mother to a 10-month old boy, is a newbie blogger. She is adjusting to the life changes, but is immensely enjoying the happiness that marriage and motherhood now brings. She litigates in court at daytime, blogs at night and drinks coffee in between. You can read her chronicles of raising a child while (trying to) win cases on the side at Legally Mama, which is July’s Blog of the Month.
My daughter used to gnaw on me and think it was funny, until one day she drew blood (and quite a bit) and when she did that I told her firmly that it hurt me and she did not get anymore. This was during her bedtime feed so she was put to bed. She cried a little but since then hasn’t bit me that hard again. I am also more aware of the signs that she is getting ready to bite.
Day 2- Heading to Silver Lake State Park
Twitter: craftykatydid
Ouch is all I can say, Katy! And that I’m glad she stopped after that incident.
This was a very informative article. Who knew a scream could cause such consequences? It’s good that you’re writing about it. I always knew I would get bit (I nursed all four of my children), so in anticipating it, when it finally did happen, I didn’t scream…but I can see totally how someone could, without even meaning to. The biting is def. not a pleasant part of the experience, but nothing is ever 100% without flaw.
Great info! Never knew that screaming would cause such an effect, I would just say no no or ouch, never scream. Thats the only part that I didnt like with breastfeeding, that was the hardest part, was the clamping down or the biting. Great post!
Lovely Sponsors ~ Part 2
If it had happened to me, I most probably would have screamed. I get surprised easily
That isn’t currently a problem for me as my girls aren’t babies anymore, but I will say I had serious pain with the initial start of breastfeeding. It was very helpful to go to a breastfeeding support group our hospital offered for free. There was a certified Doula and Baby nurse on staff to answer questions and help moms trouble shoot. I think sometimes it feels like they’re biting when they aren’t actually latched on to the breast correctly. As you mentioned, make sure the breast is further in their mouth. This is really great advice you offer in this article.
A Sneak Peek At The Love Letter He Wrote Me…
Twitter: ChrstianSuprMom
I went into breastfeeding without any help or literature and luckily, without being bitten.
Anne, what a great choice in guest blogger Khaya… Its been five years since I nursed my baby, and had done so until Calley turned one. I certainly remember when she bit me the first time… you’re right… she thought when I screamed and or jumped when she bit me that I was trying to be funny… I ended up stopping after another month~ I just couldn’t hand;e the biting. I started pulling away and withholding. However all in all.. I truly enjoyed nursing her and the time we spent together. Great article.
Day 401 ~ I Am Second Challenge Day 21 of 22
Twitter: cali_gal63
Aww, thanks for your kind words, Carla! It must have been frustrating when your little one thought you were being funny whilst you were in pain. But you’re right, breastfeeding is a wonderful experience.
Great ideas!
I have a feeling my first born would have laughed if I screamed or jumped from breastfeeding. He’s got the personality for that kind of thing. Although I didn’t get past the first month to find out for sure.
My second, whenever I jump, or looked at him and said NO! He burst into tears, and looked as though his WHOLE world ended! It was so adorable. lol He is SO pitiful, and SO cute when he is! He’s stopped biting me though, thankfully.
I was shocked the first few times, but after a lot of “nos” he seemed to not want to be told that anymore. He’s my “mommies” boy. 
Love this advise, will keep it in mind for the next baby. Who knows how the next will be.
Bar Chocolate Chip Cookies
Oh you can sooo apply these tips, Sarah
Not that you need them though, haha.
My daughter would look up at me and smile after biting as I nursed her. I guess she does want to play with mommy. It was still a memorable experience, nonetheless
Twitter: PepperTan
Haha, you’re daughter sounds pilya (naughty)
At least while she was breastfeeding. And I bet she was adorable during those times she was smiling at you, hehe.
Wow this post is exactly what i need. My baby’s teething at 7 months and i suffer from his biting!
He still has no teeth but i know sooner his pearly whites will show! Great tips!
Alarming Facts about Breastfeeding in the Philippines