Biting!!! ouch :(

Faith 21

So I breastfeed and I am a FTM. I have a 7 mth old who bites down while eating.  how do I get him to know it's not okay. I don't want to stop breastfeeding over this,but he brings the blood and I am not sure if he understands at this age. If anyone has an idea please share. thanks 

linzeek44

When he bites, smoosh his face towards your breast and he will release the bite. Try not to react verbally or with animated facial expression.

Then you can put him down. When you are calm and he is calm, you can try again and give lots of praise/snuggles/smiles for non-biting good nursing behavior.

If you notice a pattern (e.g., he is biting after letdown and seems like he wants more milk or biting at the end of a feeding when distracted), you can figure it out and prevent the bite. If he wants another letdown, switch sides or massage to get the faster flow. If he is done, you can help him unlatch before the bite occurs. 

Some people say "no" or "no biting" so you could try that too when putting him down. I don't since I want to give the bite the most minimal amount of attention possible.  

dmhrn13

linzeek44:

When he bites, smoosh his face towards your breast and he will release the bite. Try not to react verbally or with animated facial expression.

 

This. My grandmother also taught us to pinch their nose. Same idea. I find this easier than smooshing DD's face.

kateraid

Good advice bi was wondering about this.