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Home › Expert Q&A › General Concerns › Common Questions › One of my 6-month-old twins has started biting me. How do I encourage her to stop before she bruises me any more?

Expert Q&A

 

By Melissa Clark Vickers
International Board Certified Lactation Consultant Moms & Babies Huntingdon, Tenn.

One of my 6-month-old twins has started biting me. How do I encourage her to stop before she bruises me any more?

A common worry among breastfeeding mothers is what will happen when those teeth start coming in. Fortunately, the arrival of teeth doesn't have to signal the end of comfortable nursing.

A few things to keep in mind/try:

  1. If your baby is biting, it is likely that she is teething and chewing feels good to her, even if it doesn't feel good to you!

  2. Try comfort measures for teething before you nurse – give her a frozen washcloth to chew on, rub her gums or ask your doctor about giving her something for the pain.

  3. Help her understand that you cannot allow her to hurt you – even though it is unintentional on her part. If she bites, tell her "no" – preferably without yelling at her. You don't want to frighten her to the point that she won't nurse at all.

  4. In order for her to bite you, she first has to move her tongue out of the way or risk biting herself. Watch her very carefully, and when that tongue moves, be ready to put your finger in between her teeth. Better your finger than your breast!

  5. This is a phase that she will grow out of, and one that she has to learn what is OK and what isn't.

Hope this helps!

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