As a new mom, I often heard the phrase, “I’ll stop breastfeeding as soon as the first tooth comes in.” I wondered if I would feel the same way when my little one got his first tooth. However, when my son finally got his pearly white at 7 months, breastfeeding remained pain-free and without any biting. Instead, I dealt with sleepless nights and cranky moods.
Eventually, I became a breastfeeding counselor and then a lactation consultant. Through this journey, I discovered that when a baby latches properly, their gums shouldn’t even touch the mother’s nipple or breast, making the presence of teeth largely irrelevant. I urged mothers to disregard the myths suggesting they should wean their babies upon the arrival of teeth. After all, some infants get teeth as early as 3 months, and some are even born with them! Why should a little dental development lead to weaning?
I empathized with moms who faced biting, explaining that while it’s tough, it’s usually just a temporary phase. However, when my second child arrived, I was caught off guard. This little one began biting me right from the start (and no, thankfully, he wasn’t born with teeth!). With my experience as a lactation consultant, I knew how to correct his latch and alleviate the pressure on my postpartum nipples. While these strategies helped, he still bit from time to time, and let me tell you, it was shocking and painful. I had always known about the numerous nerve endings in nipples, but experiencing it firsthand made me truly understand the frustration some mothers feel.
After the initial biting phase, my son didn’t clamp down too often. But once he started getting teeth at just 4 months, everything changed. Neither of my kids enjoyed teething, but this one seemed to think biting down on his milk source (me!) would relieve his sore gums. Oh, the high-pitched screams that echoed through the house!
Strategies to Manage Biting
Determined to teach my child not to bite, I employed several strategies that proved helpful:
- Be proactive: Anticipate when biting might occur and unlatch before it happens. To do this safely, insert your finger into the corner of your baby’s mouth to break the seal.
- Offer alternatives: Use frozen teething rings or other cold baby-safe items before nursing to help numb their gums and satisfy their urge to bite.
- Communicate: Talk to your baby. Let them know that biting hurts Mommy.
- Take breaks: If your baby bites, unlatch immediately and have a short break from nursing. Stay calm—it’s a lesson, not a punishment.
- Use soothing methods: Apply whatever you’re comfortable with to soothe your baby’s sore gums. Whether it’s natural remedies or over-the-counter pain relief (with doctor’s approval), find what works.
- Manage your reactions: While it’s natural to scream when bitten, try to stay composed. Yelling can encourage your baby to bite more, thinking it’s funny, and it might lead to a refusal to nurse altogether.
Remember that despite all your efforts, there will still be moments when your baby bites. Some little ones never bite at all, but if yours does, take a deep breath and lean on your breastfeeding support network. Remember, everything is just a phase, including biting.
If you’re contemplating weaning, that’s completely your choice. Every mother should decide how her breastfeeding journey ends. However, don’t fall for the myth that the arrival of teeth means it’s time to stop. You deserve to wean on your terms.
For more insights on family planning options, check out this excellent resource on intrauterine insemination. It’s essential to stay informed and take control of your journey, whether you’re considering breastfeeding, weaning, or exploring other pathways to family growth.