We've got a biter

[SoonerTexan]

N got her first tooth 6 weeks ago and has been biting me since the moment it came through. She now has another one next to it, both on the bottom.

At first it wasn't so bad, but now I get bit in 75% of the nursing sessions. I can tell some of it is definitely related to teething, but she also does it out of frustration and because she thinks my reaction is funny. I originally tried the "flick the cheek, say no, and pull her off" method, but that is the reaction she finds funny. She'll laugh and bite me again! Then I tried just trying to ignore the biting altogether, but she just keeps chomping down harder and harder. Removing her and completely ending the session is the only thing I have had some success with, but doesn't work well when I'm trying to get her to bed.

She doesn't bite when she is really hungry and "gets to it," so to speak, while nursing. Or if she is just in a calm, not playful mood.

Any other ideas? (besides weaning) I shudder to think what she can do when the top teeth come in. I have bite marks on my boob.

[scrub-jay]

I'd just end the meal. But I am in the toddler-mode of thinking: boundaries are everything. Good luck! She isn't too young to understand that if she does it, milk gets CUT OFF.

[Michele]

End the meal. Don't give a bottle! Use Motrin etc as needed.

[v-girl]

End the meal. Don't give a bottle! Use Motrin etc as needed.

This.

[GreyhoundsRUs]

Dr. Sears recommends pushing them into you - basically so they suffocate and release...

[SoonerTexan]

I think part of it might be that she gets frustrated having to wait for a let down vs the immediate flow of the bottle. I'll try the suggestions though!

Those suckers are like razors!

[TulipsAndSunscreen]

We're having the same issue here. She's cut the bottom two teeth in the last week. I yelled last night and scared the crap out of her (yelled in shock, not AT her).

[MrsK]

K2 tends to bite while nursing if a new tooth has come in - like he is uncertain so the boundaries or has to get used to the new feel. Yelping and taking him off seems to do the trick.

[SoonerTexan]

So we had a ped appt today and I brought it up. The ped actually recommended forcefully saying "No" and stopping the nursing session, even if it made her cry. I heard that can cause a nursing strike, though I kind of doubt that would happen with N? Girl likes to eat too much. Thoughts?

[mommax3]

I always said no (or ow!) pretty loudly, and my boys seemed to get the message. They all nursed for a year+, so there wasn't a negative effect. It wasn't thought out, just a natural reaction!

[v-girl]

So we had a ped appt today and I brought it up. The ped actually recommended forcefully saying "No" and stopping the nursing session, even if it made her cry. I heard that can cause a nursing strike, though I kind of doubt that would happen with N? Girl likes to eat too much. Thoughts?

I can't imagine her turning down food if she's hungry so I doubt it would cause a strike.

[Michele]

I totally said no loudly!! My kids quickly learned to "nurse nice".

[Thirteen]

At one point, I put DS down and said, "No bite." He cried for a little bit, but that's how we roll.
I don't see any signs of psychological damage... yet.

[SoonerTexan]

I finally went all out, "NO! We don't bite mama" on her. She still laughed at me. But things have been better the past few days...

[scrub-jay]

Oh... and get used to it (nursing or otherwise). Teething w/toddlers is FUN. -_-