As a new mother, I remember the common saying, “I’ll stop breastfeeding as soon as my baby gets teeth.” I often wondered if this would hold true for me. When my son finally sprouted his first tooth at 7 months, I found that breastfeeding remained relatively unchanged—no biting, no pain, just the usual sleepless nights and grumpiness.
Afterward, I became a volunteer breastfeeding counselor and later a lactation consultant. I learned that when a baby latches properly, their gums shouldn’t even touch the nipple, making teeth less of an issue than many think. I advised mothers to ignore the myths and not feel pressured to wean simply because their baby has teeth. After all, some infants develop teeth as early as 3 months, and some are even born with them (yes, it’s true!). Why should teeth force a weaning?
I had empathy for mothers whose babies bit them, and I assured them that biting is often just a temporary phase. However, everything changed with the arrival of my second child. This little one began biting almost immediately (thankfully, he didn’t come out with teeth!). Armed with my lactation consultant knowledge, I was prepared to fix his latch and minimize the biting. While that helped, he still bit occasionally, and let me tell you, it was a shockingly intense pain! I always knew nipples had a lot of nerve endings, but experiencing it firsthand made me understand why some mothers might feel like tossing their baby across the room.
After that initial biting phase, my son didn’t bite too much, but once he started teething at just 4 months, it was a different story. Neither of my children were easy teething babies, but this one thought that biting down while nursing would somehow ease his sore gums. The results were high-pitched screams from me, and I’m pretty sure I alerted the entire neighborhood.
Determined not to let this continue, I set out to teach him not to bite. Here are some effective strategies that worked for me:
- Anticipate biting moments and unlatch before it happens. To do this safely, place your finger in the corner of your baby’s mouth to break the seal.
- Offer cold teething rings or other frozen baby-safe items before nursing to help soothe their gums and satisfy any urge to bite.
- Communicate with your baby. They grasp more than you think—let them know it hurts when they bite.
- If biting occurs, unlatch them immediately and take a short break from nursing to reinforce that biting is not acceptable. Try to remain calm; this is a lesson, not a punishment.
- Use any soothing method you’re comfortable with for their sore gums. Whether it be natural remedies or over-the-counter pain relief (with a doctor’s approval), find what works.
- Try to avoid screaming when bitten. I know it’s a natural reaction, but it can encourage your baby to bite more, finding your reaction amusing. Plus, it might lead to nursing strikes, which is no good for anyone involved.
Even with all the advice available, there will be moments when biting happens despite your best efforts. Hopefully, these instances are rare, and remember that some babies don’t bite at all!
If you’re faced with a biting baby, take a deep breath, gather your support network, and remind yourself: this is just a phase. It applies to biting and many other challenges in parenthood. If you feel ready to wean, go ahead! Every mother deserves to choose when to stop breastfeeding. However, don’t let the myths surrounding teething and biting pressure you into weaning prematurely.
For more insights into parenting and resources on fertility, check out our post on couples’ fertility journeys. You can also find valuable information related to fertility treatments at March of Dimes and explore the benefits of meditation for overall well-being.
Summary
Biting during breastfeeding can be a challenging phase for mothers, but it’s generally temporary. Effective strategies include anticipating biting, offering cold teething toys, communicating with your baby, and remaining calm if biting occurs. Remember, if you choose to wean, that’s completely your decision; don’t feel pressured by myths surrounding teething.