So yesterday I got some great advice to help my DS be more comfy while teething. Today I need advice for me! He's 7 months old, and breastfed (gets fruits or veggies and/or cereal twice a day) and has started biting! He had bitten me a few times in the past, and even though it wasn't super comfortable, I could deal with it when it was just clamping down of little gums. Now he has two teeth and it feels like he's going to chomp my nipple off! His teeth are barely in, I'm terrified of what's to come when they are fully in and he gets more. From what I've read, tell them "no" firmly...not too effective with a 7 month old. Although my hollering everytime he's done it HAS gotten him to stop and give me a "what's the matter with you?" look. Anyone have any advice? I don't want to go to pumping and bottlefeeding him, but if it starts to break the skin I'm not sure what other options are.
Thanks for the advice! I've been stopping him right after he bites, but then immediately he latches back on. We'll try stopping the nursing session completely and taking a break, I'm guessing he will not like it one bit and will hopefully get the message!
My cousin gave me great advice for this...and it worked for me! When he bites immediately remove him from the breast, say no bite, and separate him for a few minutes from you. Babies don't like to be separate from mommy. After a few minutes, nurse him again. I just had to do it once...praying the same for you!
This method works fast but needs complete consistency.
First bite: Sternly state "No biting" and remove the infant from the breast and sit them away from you for 5 mins. If the baby cries for you or the breast, WAIT until the full 5 minutes if over.
2nd bite: Sternly state "No biting" and remove the infant from the breast and sit them away from you for 15 mins. If the baby cries for you or the breast, WAIT until the full 15 minutes if over.
3rd bite: Sternly state "No biting" and remove the infant from the breast and sit them away from you until the next nursing session. If the baby cries for you or the breast, console but do not allow to breastfeed until the next nursing session (at least an hour).
This should take between 1-3 days to change the behavior that as soon as you say "No biting" sternly, she will immediately stop. Nothing wrong with teaching older infants nursing manners... that way you don't feel forced to force wean them before they are ready.
Even at 7 months they can understand "no" if it is demonatrated to them. Basically, saying "no", by itself won't work... Say "No biting!" or "no"... and then stop the nursing session! If he is still hungry you can resume in a few minutes. Trust me, your baby will not starve to death!... a few times after you stop nursing when he bites he will begin to understand that biting=no milk...
This will be baby's first rules! It is ok, you won't damage baby at all! My first likes to bite some, but I stopped only a few times before she quit biting completely! She nursed (part time) till she was 22 months old, with a full set of chompers, and I would have been hamburger meat if she didn't learn to stop! Whatever you do, don't let him sit there and "chew" on you, you'll be sore and miserable! New teeth does not have to signal the end of nursing... you can probably find even more advice at dr. sears website or kelly mom too!
-M.
This advice has been given so many times on here, I know it by heart: Pop the seal of his mouth off of your breast and say No. Wait 5 minutes and try again. If he bites again, that nursing session is over.
