“Help! Ever since my son got his first two teeth, he bites during breastfeeding. He thinks it’s a game, but it’s gotten to a point where I’m bleeding and it’s really painful. What do I do?” ~ Jessica G.
Sounds like you have a mom-eating barracuda baby on your hands (and at your poor, sore breasts!).
Of course, your little Junior Jaws doesn’t mean to hurt you when he chomps down. In fact, because empathy isn’t even on his developmental radar yet, he has no clue that he is hurting you — only that he’s getting your attention (something babies quickly come to crave). His first bites might have been inadvertent — maybe he was trying to find teething comfort or was looking to take a brand-new tooth for a test drive, and your breast happened to be handy (in his mouth, actually). But at this point, it seems he’s in it for the entertainment value. That is, he sees the value in being entertained by your reaction to his biting — especially as you jump, shriek or yelp in pain.
But the beauty of breastfeeding a biter is that he can't actually suckle and bite at the same time. Once he discovers that biting will get him nowhere milk-wise (or comfort-wise), he’ll likely opt for suckling over biting. To spare your sore nipples the abuse in the meantime, nip his biting in the bud. Each time he starts a feed, make sure he opens wide and latches well (that way, his tongue will come between his teeth and your breast, effectively preventing a bite). If he does bite down, take him off the breast — carefully breaking his hold with your pinkie to avoid more damage to your tender tissues — and say, “No biting. Biting hurts Mommy.” Don't engage — remember, the reaction is what your budding performer is playing you for. No reaction, no satisfaction. Calmly offer him a biting substitute for your breast (for instance, his beloved Sophie) and say, “This is for biting.” If he chomps down on it, good — better the toy than you. If he sucks on it, he’s probably in the market for suckling after all. Wait a moment, then try again. Lavish on the praise if he doesn’t bite this time — he’ll love the positive feeding feedback! If he does bite, take him off once again — and this time, end the feed.
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Does the biting often happen at the beginning of the feed? Try offering him that cold teething toy first to take the edge off any teething pain or satisfy his compulsion to chew. Does biting happen usually toward the end of the feeding, or when he gets bored? Preempt this by stopping the feeding when he seems to be over it (he’s winding down on suckling, his latch starts slipping) — and before he starts biting. Also try paying more attention while you feed to keep baby on task (you know — the eye contact, the talking and singing) and limiting distractions around him…and you (your phone, the TV). Another trick to try if he begins to bear down: Bring him super close to your breast — this will make it hard for him to breathe (he will choose breathing over biting).
And, of course, treat your nipples with TLC and cold compresses (or cool packs in your bra), take Tylenol or Advil if needed for pain, and let your nipples air-dry when possible to speed healing. You can also gently express some milk and let the milk dry on your nipples (it's the best medicine!).
Hugs,
Heidi
Help Me, Heidi! is a weekly advice column in which What to Expect creator Heidi Murkoff answers your most pressing pregnancy and parenting questions. She’s tackling the stuff you are desperate to know right now — so if you have a question, ask Heidi here or on Facebook and she might answer in an upcoming column. (Not sure if Heidi's answered one of your questions? Check out the rest of the columns here.)
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