My baby bites my breast while nursing, his teeth are coming in, what should I do?
⚡ Short answer: Breast biting during teething is quite common.
Anonymous
bir anne · Mom
My baby is starting to get teeth and bites my nipple while nursing — how do I stop this?
Maiyko AI ADVISOR
The real reply from the in-app AI advisor
Breast biting during teething is quite common. Babies feel an instinctive need to chew to relieve pressure on their sore gums during teething.
When a bite happens, what you can do right away: slip your finger into the corner of the baby's mouth and get your breast out, then stop nursing for a few minutes. A calm but firm "no" or "that hurts" followed by a brief pause from nursing helps your baby connect this behavior with the end of nursing. Yelling or a sudden reaction can startle the baby and make him refuse to nurse.
To prevent biting: before nursing, let your baby chew on a cool, clean teething toy or soft cloth for a few minutes. This relieves gum pressure and helps him start nursing more calmly. Also pay attention to his nursing position; if his tongue can't rest properly over his lower gum, he may use his teeth instead. Adjusting the position slightly to ensure his tongue covers his bottom gum can help.
If biting continues, consulting a lactation specialist or pediatrician can be helpful; sometimes underlying reflux or an ear infection causes discomfort during nursing, leading to biting.
⚕️ Health note: This answer is for general information only; it is not medical advice. Every baby is different — for decisions about your baby's health, consult your pediatrician.
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