Feeding
On Call: Biting While Breastfeeding
By Dr. Claire McCarthy, Parenting
PRINT


 
 
See Also
How to make sense of your newborn's breastfeeding patterns - Parenting.com
feeding, breast, bottle, nurse, milk - Parenting.com
Top 10 Breastfeeding Articles - Parenting.com
Q. My baby bites me almost every time I go to nurse him. Needless to say, it really hurts. How can I stop him from doing it?

A. Every breastfeeding baby bites at some point  -- each one of my children has certainly done it to me! Most of the time they don't even realize they're doing it. Some babies are teething, and trying to comfort their gums. Others bite to get a rise out of Mom (clearly, it works). Usually, it's just a phase. What I've done with my baby in the meantime is get the message across quickly and clearly that biting is not okay. When I've been nipped, I immediately take my child off my breast, sit him up, and say "No biting!" in a stern voice. I wait a few seconds to put him back on, and if it happens again, I repeat the routine. Pretty soon, he gets the message that if he wants to be at the breast (which he does), he can't bite.If you're getting bitten a lot during one particular nursing session, it may be a sign that your child's not all that hungry. So button up, find something else for him to do, and try again later.


ADVERTISEMENT
Popular on Parenting.com
 
Photo Galleries

Baby Surprises and Shockers

Your baby's going to throw you some real curveballs. A month-by-month guide to what you're in for by Melissa Balmain

 
Quick Poll

Do you ever wish you'd given your child a different name?

Yes
No


Blog: Our Editors' Daily Fave

Christina parties with Lips from Xbox, Lauren reviews Revolutionary Road, Nikki saves your produce, and more! Updated frequently by Parenting and Babytalk editors!

Blog: The Parenting Post

Daring Young Mom: "I'm pretty confident in our school district's ability not to permanently lose children, so I didn't freak out." Updated Daily!
Table of Contents

Babytalk December/January Issue

Check out what's hot in the latest issue of Babytalk