By Laura Silvas, RN IBCLC

You’ve moved past the initial nipple pain from the early newborn stages, and your bundle of joy has just cut their first tooth. This is new territory for both you and your little one, and you may be nervous about dealing with biting while breastfeeding.  

As a lactation consultant, I can confidently say this is a common fear among breastfeeding mothers.  Some women decide that they only want to breastfeed until their babies' teeth come in. If that’s you, that’s just fine. You do what is best for you - there’s no judgment here. However, teething is just another stage of the breastfeeding journey, especially since babies’ teeth can come in as early as 4-6 months.

Why Is My Baby Biting?

It’s important to remember that your baby isn’t biting you on purpose (although sometimes, our reaction to the initial pain may entertain them). Babies often bite when they are teething, have gum pain, are bored or distracted (or they feel you are distracted), are sick, want a quicker milk flow (think biting/pulling), or are at the end of a feeding session.

It is physically impossible for babies to both nurse and bite you simultaneously. However, you can tell if your baby is about to bite you. You may notice that their suck pattern slows down or becomes irregular, or they may clench their jaws. Establishing why your baby is biting can also help. For example, they may be teething or have a cold, etc.

How Do I Stop My Baby From Biting?

If your baby bites you, remember that screaming or yelling (although sometimes we can’t help it, I get it) will not help the situation. This reaction may scare your baby or amuse them, further encouraging the behavior. It’s best to start showing the baby that biting isn’t tolerated. Breaking the seal of your baby’s mouth on your nipple with your finger to avoid straining or pulling on the nipple is one way to teach your baby not to bite. If your baby bites you and unlatches from your breast, set them down and cover your breast, then calmly tell your baby not to bite you while you feed. 

If they have bitten down hard and not released your nipple, pressing their face into the breast typically helps them unlatch as they move their face for air. If your baby is teething or has gum pain, you may consider giving them pain medications such as Motrin or Tylenol before the nursing session.  Talking to your infant during the nursing session helps with bonding and may prevent them from getting bored at the breast. I had great success with a large beaded nursing necklace. It gave my son something to play with while he nursed to keep him entertained (also helpful with distraction nursing) and something to chew on as he finished nursing. 

What Should I Do About Nipple Pain?

If you’re experiencing nipple pain/scabbing/bite marks, ensure you take care of your nipples. Ice packs can help, as well as “soothing nipple pads.” In addition, applying nipple balm/lanolin to your nipples before and after feeds is extremely helpful, and you can also use this on your flanges if you’re pumping. Hand expressing milk and allowing your breasts to be exposed to the air is essential too. Over-the-counter ibuprofen or acetaminophen may also reduce your discomfort. If you notice any cracks, or issues with persistent scabbing, red/hot nipples, itching, bleeding, etc., notify a lactation consultant to evaluate and prescribe treatment. 

Remember, our Leva team is always on standby and ready to help, and we applaud you, mama.