Breastfeeding & Teeth

[Rainbowbrite]

I am in agony since MJ got her top teeth (as of this morning there are 4 on top :eek: )

She has bitten me countless times but stops when i say no, take her off etc. But the main problem is every time she feeds it hurts :crying: It doesnt help that for the last few weeks due to teething, she feeds on & off all night.

Is there anything I can do? I really dont want to stop bf or give the dummy back.

I can go see a LC on thursday at the clinic but till then, any advice?

Goosie22, where are you?

[Jem]

i know how your feeling...
I dont know how many times i have been nibbled on (thats NOT a Chew Toy..rofl)
DS2 tends to be the biggest offender yet,,
DS1 did it a few times, but a firm NO usually stopped him..
DS2 will bite me at least a few times everyday... and the worst was when he was teething...
i was ready to give up.. my breasts were bleeding, cracked and in sooo much pain!!! i ended up just piling the wool fat on them so they could heal asap.
i really dont know what advice to offer.... :confused:

[Goosie22]

Hi,
The only advice I can offer is to be very particular with positioning and watch like a hawk for the end of the feed so you notice when she slips off a little. Because she will not bite while feeding only when her toungue is out of the way. The wool fat idea is a good one if you have any broken areas? Also try to positon her teeth away from the open areas if you have any.

And persist with the "No!" and waiting before putting back to the breast.

http://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/bfinfo/biting.html

http://www.lalecheleague.org/FAQ/bite.html

It is usually just a phase associated with teething most of the time so hang in there it wont last forever.

[Rainbowbrite]

Thanks for that but what about during the night? As we co-sleep she bf whenever she wants & when i try to remove myself she bites down.

Going to check those sites now :)

[Jem]

Thanks for that but what about during the night? As we co-sleep she bf whenever she wants & when i try to remove myself she bites down.

Going to check those sites now :)

i co-sleep too.. and occassionally when i try to remove him from the breast he will clamp down..... i put a finger in the corner of his mouth.. and make sure that he CANT bite..

[Goosie22]

Thanks for that but what about during the night? As we co-sleep she bf whenever she wants & when i try to remove myself she bites down.

Hi Rainbowbrite, you may have to forgo the comfort of uninterupted sleep for the time being so you can catch the bite before it happens. When my son was doing this I wore something he couldnt just get into when he felt like it, so he had to wake me for a feed:crying: I would sit up in bed and feed him so I could watch him feed. As a result of the new stricter feedings he didnt wake as much (because he was disturbed too) and fed better during the day also. Its worth the sacrifice of a few nights good sleep to get it sorted out with out weaning. After he stoped the bites he had open slather again but didn't seem to feed quite as much at night.

Hope this helps you out?

[Rainbowbrite]

Thanks Goosie thats great :smiliedance: I'm loosing sleep anyway as she's been really unsettled so it cant get any worse :fingerscrossed:

Thanks again

[reAllytee]

I just wanted to offer this :hugs:
Because i know what its like somewhat because bubs had teeth when born just below gum line & boy was it horrible :crying:
I hope things get better soon :hugs:

[Rainbowbrite]

Thanks so much Ally :hugs: Oh and jem i'll have to remember to do that. DH tried to tell me i should block her nose so she opens her mouth

Well DH has had a good day. I've spent the day 'airing' them :o & putting Lansinoh on after every feed. Only problem with that plan was that MJ could see them & wanted them all day :rolleyes:

Dont think the cooler weather helps either.

We'll see how we go & due to my commitment & lazyness :laughing: i'm in no hurry to wean her yet.

Thanks again for the support and advice.

[becca74]

As well as what the others have said, I have found, through trial and error after 3 bf babies, that sometimes it is because their gums are buzzing from teething.

Try a little bongella (or similar) around her gums top and bottom, just to numb them before a feed, and she may lose the urge to bite down....worked for me :thumbsup: