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Biting and Pulling, any tips?

maramarriemaramarrie
in Breastfeeding

I'm starting to have issues with him pinching and turning his head, pulling and stretching my nipple. The pulling doesn't become an issue until it's pinched and feels like he's ripping it off. He seems like he's getting distracted and will turn his head up to look at me with the nipple still pinched between gums (thankfully we don't have teeth yet). I want this habit to stop before teeth come in, but I don't know what to do. I try sternly speaking to him "no" or "let go!" which seems to surprise him into letting go....but I'm not sure that this is breaking the habit or teaching him that it's wrong.

What works? I know something must work once they get teeth and start biting....maybe it can work in this case too? I wonder if he's started "biting" as he gets closer to cutting teeth...like he's using me as a teething ring...ugh. 

We EBF and he hardly ever gets a bottle. The last few times he's had a bottle he may have started chewing the nipple when he got bored with eating (or when he was done, anyhow). I don't know as I wasn't the one feeding him.

Any tips would be great. Thanks.

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Re: Biting and Pulling, any tips?

  • colleen724colleen724 member
    Gumby nipple!  This was just a phase with my son.  He just became more aware of what was in front of him.  Then around 6 months he wanted to use his fingers to pull itStick out tongue, lovely.
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  • MissesRootbeerMissesRootbeer member
    DD started doing this recently and I also tell her "NO!"  It doesn't do much except scare her though.  I think she does it when she's done eating and getting bored.  Usually if I take her off she doesn't complain so I'm just going to use this as a sign to take her off right away.
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  • J BeanJ Bean

    I think a lot of babies start getting distracted while nursing around 4 months, so this is normal.  If there are distractions, like other people around or the tv, I would take him into a quiet room to nurse.  Some people wear a nursing necklace or a bright scarf to hold DC's attention while nursing.

    I usually slipped my pinkie finger in DD's mouth and pulled off if she started to bite or turn her head. For pinching, I would hold DD's hand. Saying "no" didn't seem to work.  If she seemed hungry and eager to latch back on, I would say, "gentle," which did work for us. 

    GL!

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