Nursing & Teeth

SJBride05

DS just started sprouting teeth the last couple of weeks, he's working on his 3rd & 4th one right now.  I know biting can be an issue when they're teething, and he's tested the waters a little bit, but do you feel their teeth all the time?  I can definitely feel his top teeth while he's actively nursing and it can get pretty painful. Is that a sign of a bad latch?

ETA: And if it is a bad latch, how do you fix the latch of an almost one-year old?!?!

Celyn

Correcting latch is easier with a 1-yr old, in my experience.  They don't get as upset when you delatch and try to get them back on.  If the top teeth are bothering you, make sure that 1) he has enough areola in his mouth to not be able to clamp, 2) is head is tilted back a bit, so that his chin comes forward and he can't put as much pressure on the top of your breast.

ladipale

Ellie is working on her 3rd and 4th teeth as well (2 on top, she already has 2 on bottom) and I was just commenting to John that it surprises me that I can't feel her teeth at all. I know her tongue covers her bottom teeth, but when she is actively sucking, I don't feel the top... but its not her middle top teeth, its the next set. Maybe the 2 front teeth can be felt?

KellyMRocks

Winter went through a biting phase, but aside from that, I could never feel teeth.

futrkingsley

I rarely felt teeth and I nursed through DS getting all 20 teeth and beyond.  He liked to use me as a teething ring occassionally (usually just before the teeth broke through the gum) but it was fairly easy to fix (unlatch and try again).  He went through a brief phase when he bit me at the end of the nursing session before bed but again, I'd just yelp and unlatch. 

I hope this part passes quickly!

HisMrs07

DD's first teeth came in at 4 mo. I never really felt them while nursing. Every now and then she would start to bite down if she got sleepy but unlatching stopped it and she didn't do it often.

PP gave some good advice. Hopefully you are able to fix it easily.