As a new mother, I often heard the phrase, “I’ll stop breastfeeding once the first tooth appears.” My curiosity was piqued about whether my experience would change when my baby got his first tooth. When my son finally sprouted that first tooth at 7 months, I was relieved to find that breastfeeding remained pain-free, with no biting—just the usual sleepless nights and crankiness.
Later, as I became a volunteer breastfeeding counselor and then a lactation consultant, I learned that proper latching prevents a baby’s gums from making contact with the nipple. Hence, the presence of teeth should not necessarily prompt weaning. I advised mothers to dismiss the myth that they must wean when their baby gets teeth. After all, some infants can even be born with teeth!
I empathized with mothers facing biting issues and assured them that this is a temporary phase. However, when my second child arrived, I encountered a shocking reality. This baby began biting immediately (thankfully, he was not born with teeth!). Drawing on my experience, I attempted to adjust his latch and alleviate his tight jaw to reduce the risk of my sore nipples suffering further damage.
Despite my best efforts, biting still occurred, and it was an excruciating experience. I had always understood that nipples have many nerve endings, but experiencing biting firsthand with my little “milk predator” helped me grasp why some mothers feel overwhelmed by the urge to react strongly.
Once my son began teething at just 4 months, the biting escalated. He believed that clamping down on his milk source would somehow ease his gum discomfort. This led to some rather vocal responses from me, possibly alarming the neighbors.
Effective Strategies to Address Biting
Determined to address this behavior, I implemented several effective strategies:
- Proactive Unlatching: Anticipate biting and remove the baby before they can clamp down. To unlatch safely, gently insert your finger into the corner of their mouth to break the seal.
- Cold Comfort: Offer frozen teething rings or other cold items before nursing to help numb their gums and satisfy their urge to bite.
- Communication: Talk to your baby about biting. They understand more than we give them credit for, and explaining that it hurts can be beneficial.
- Immediate Response: If biting occurs, promptly unlatch and take a short break from nursing. This teaches that biting and breastfeeding are incompatible. Try to remain calm—it’s a lesson, not a punishment.
- Pain Relief: Use whatever methods you find effective to soothe your baby’s sore gums, from holistic remedies to over-the-counter pain relief (with your doctor’s guidance).
- Stay Calm: It’s instinctual to react strongly when bitten, but yelling may encourage more biting, as it can amuse your baby. Additionally, it risks causing them to refuse breastfeeding altogether, which is something no one wants to deal with.
Despite having an arsenal of advice, biting may still happen occasionally. Remember, it’s a phase, just like many other challenges in parenting. If you’re considering weaning, that’s entirely your choice. However, it’s essential to recognize that teeth or biting do not necessitate immediate weaning. You should decide when the time is right based on your circumstances.
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In summary, while biting during breastfeeding can be challenging, it is typically a temporary phase. Employing proactive strategies can help address biting behavior, and mothers should feel empowered to make informed choices about breastfeeding and weaning.
Keyphrase: Biting while breastfeeding solutions
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