Teething and Biting
If you experience your baby biting your nipple you should talk to them and reprimand them. The best way is to tell them “NO” and break the latch, then look them in the eye and say “No Biting”. Be serious but not angry for your baby may already be in tears from your surprise reaction. Offer your breast again, but if biting continues offer a teething toy instead to help reinforce the proper use of the toy. Then offer expressed milk, water, or juice to complete the feeding and try breastfeeding again later. You baby will soon associate biting with the proper items, but consistency on your part is key to helping them do this quickly.
Fortunately teething begins around six months of age so most babies are already beginning on solid foods. However, some babies are born with a tooth, the milk tooth, so learning to work with this takes some extra patience.
If your baby refuses the breast due to teething pain try offering them expressed milk in a cup. Check with your pediatrician about what types of teething gels are best for your little one. It will take some extra vigilance on your part to ensure your baby is nourished while they are teething, chilled bananas, expressed breast milk, or cold 100% natural or organic unsweetened applesauce can keep up your baby’s nutrition.
