anxiety from being bit while nursing

viva11diva

my 9 months old had a rough few days last week while she was sprouting  her first tooth and in the process bit me so hard while nursing. I have been doing the whole putting her down, saying that hurts mommy and trying again in a few minutes but i have built so much anxiety that now when she is nursing and my milk is not coming in right away for her I am worried she is going to bite me (and she has on occassion out of frustration). So now the vicious ugly cycle has started where my milk supply is dwindling. I am pumping 3-5 times a day now and reverting to freshly expressed milk instead of feeding her. So not sure whether to throw in the towel on nursing or if this biting/anxiety thing will pass. I do have a huge supply of frozen breastmilk that I can continue feeding her with for the next several months but I guess I loved the whole nursing experience and sad to think it's over. any help/advice?

MandG2010

The same thing happened to me a month or two ago. The first time he bit me I yelled "OW!" because it hurt (there was blood). Scared DS - he looked at me all big-eyed.  For the next week I was scared of being bit again, and every time I felt anything that could possibly be teeth I pulled him away and said "no biting."  He bit me twice more a couple weeks later out of frustration that milk wasn't coming in, so I told him "Ow!  No biting" and sat him up for about 30 seconds. That was it for the biting thing from him.  Every once in a while he'll graze his teeth against skin, but he doesn't bit anymore. Babies just don't understand that biting hurts, so just pull him away like you've been doing and tell him no biting; eventually he'll get it. Good luck!

sheryn2

I soothe myself by saying to LO "be gentle to the nipple" and taking a deep breath (a little hokey, but) it calms me and probably her too.  Saying or thinking "don't do this" or "don't do that" can bring yucky experiences to mind and increase anxiety.  Imagining her sucking gently and "requesting" that is helpful to me.  Also, I am very sensitive physically one week a month and it is uncomfortable then, but I keep in mind that time will pass in a few days.  Good luck.

genekelly

I agree with PP that you're doing the right thing by pulling her off and saying 'no biting'.  I also have had that anxiety after LO has bit me(he's got 7 teeth already) and have to make myself relax by breathing deeply and thinking of the milk flowing(sounds silly but it helps me and letdown is quicker).  I also watch his mouth for signs that he's getting ready to bite and I unlatch him then.  If he's just playing with my nipple, then he's not hungry enough and I put him down.  I've also put my finger on his chin to ensure that he's going to latch correctly and not just chomp down.  When I have been bitten, it's usu just as he's latching on so if I ensure he can't bite down, it's a bit easier.  She'll get better about latching and not biting  with a little experience and some help from you.  Once they get used to the tooth in their mouth, it gets better.  If you're enjoying nursing, don't give up yet.  GL!

abrazz

I completely understand your anxiety.  With DD she only had 2 teeth till she was over a year old and she only bit me a couple times.  DS has had them since he was 5 months old and now he has 6 little sharp teeth and he uses them.  I find he bites worse when he is not super hungry so I'll put him down and try again later.  Sometimes he just does it though and I really am afraid I'm going to lose a nipple!  I don't know, I may throw in the towel pretty soon because it's pretty stressful at times but it's the only thing that will get him to sleep at night. Your baby may quit doing  after the novelty of having teeth wears off