“I’ll stop breastfeeding as soon as the first tooth comes in.” As a new mom, I often heard this sentiment floating around, and I genuinely questioned if my breastfeeding experience would change with my little one’s first tooth. When my daughter finally sprouted her first tooth at 7 months, I was pleasantly surprised that breastfeeding remained pain-free—no biting, just a lot of sleepless nights and a cranky baby.
After that, I decided to become a volunteer breastfeeding counselor and then a lactation consultant. I discovered that with a proper latch, a baby’s gums shouldn’t even touch a mom’s nipple or breast, making the presence of teeth largely irrelevant. I reassured mothers to ignore the chatter about weaning once teeth appeared, especially since some babies get their first teeth as early as 3 months, and some are even born with teeth (trust me, it’s a thing!). So why should teeth lead to weaning?
I empathized with moms facing biting issues. I explained that although it’s tough, biting is typically just a phase. But then, my second child arrived, and I got a rude awakening. This little one started biting me right from the get-go (thankfully, he wasn’t born with teeth!). As a lactation consultant, I knew how to address his latch and loosen his tight jaw to reduce the chances of him clamping down on my sensitive postpartum nipples.
While those tricks helped, he still managed to bite occasionally, and let me tell you, it was a sharp, shocking, and excruciating experience. I had always understood that nipples have a ton of nerve endings, but it wasn’t until I felt the bite from my adorable little milk-hungry piranha that I truly grasped why some moms might feel the urge to launch their babies across the room when they bite.
After his newborn chomping phase, my son bit less frequently. But at just 4 months old, when his teeth began to come in, things took a turn. Neither of my kids enjoyed teething, but this one thought that biting his milk source (me!) would somehow ease the throbbing pain in his gums. Oh no, no, no! I let out a few high-pitched yelps, and I’m pretty sure I woke the whole neighborhood.
Strategies to Manage Biting
Determined to teach my baby not to bite, I implemented some strategies that worked wonders for me:
- Try to anticipate when biting may happen and unlatch before it starts. To unlatch safely, gently place your finger in the corner of your baby’s mouth to break the seal.
- Offer frozen teething rings or other cold items before nursing, so your baby can satisfy their urge to bite and soothe their gums simultaneously.
- Talk to your baby! They understand more than you think. Let them know that biting hurts Mommy.
- If your baby bites, unlatch immediately and take a brief nursing break to demonstrate that biting and nursing do not mix. Stay calm and comforting—it’s a lesson, not a punishment.
- Use any soothing method you’re comfortable with for your baby’s sore gums. Whether you prefer natural remedies or over-the-counter options (with your doctor’s approval), find what works.
- Try not to scream when your baby bites. I get it—it’s a natural reaction, especially the first time. But your baby might find your outburst amusing and want to repeat the performance. Plus, yelling can lead to nursing strikes, which no one wants.
Even with all the advice, there will be moments when your baby bites anyway—hopefully not too many. Some babies don’t bite at all! If you find yourself with a chompy baby despite your best efforts, take a deep breath, lean on your breastfeeding community, and remember: everything is just a phase. This applies to biting and nearly every other challenging moment in parenthood.
If you feel ready to wean, go for it—every mom should choose how to end her breastfeeding journey. But if you’re not ready to wean, don’t buy into the myth that biting or teeth means it’s time to stop. It’s simply not true, and you deserve to decide when the time is right for you.
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Summary
Biting during breastfeeding can be frustrating, but it’s often just a phase. Proper latching and anticipatory actions can minimize bites, and communication with your baby is key. If you’re facing challenges, remember that support is available and that everything passes with time.