[CCLady]

My 8mo has been biting me (think clench and rip) for months. At least since he was 5ish months old.

At first I would say "uh uh uh" and pull my top up so he had no access. Then I would let him finish the feed, most times he would bite again and then the feed would be over. I regret not putting him on the floor straight away in the early biting days now, that is for sure.

After a few weeks of it (and not at every feed) I would firmly say 'ow! No biting Mummy, it hurts!" and put him on the floor. Feed was over. He usually didn't/doesn't care, it was the end of the feed anyway, I guess when the milk was slowing.

So then I tried (on advice from an ABA leader) towards the end of the feed to have my pinky up ready to unhook his grip before he could bite. He is TOO quick and would get me at least 3/4 of the time. Again, not every feed but at least twice a day he would bite. And every time I would lift up my shirt, put him on the floor and walk away.

Now he has teeth . Two razors on the bottom and I am just so jack of it at every feed . He has now started to bite before the milk lets down - Im guessing in frustration that it's too slow for him. And also at the end of the feed but sometimes just in the middle for fun.

Where do I go from here? He has drawn blood twice at least in the past week (since teeth arrived) and I am feeling anxious at every feed, knowing he is going to bite me with his new choppers which if course means the letdown is slower again...

He is otherwise a big healthy boy, over 10kg. Wet nappies, just started crawling, solids twice a day, feeds 5-7 times in a 24 hour period. I feel in the past 2 weeks my supply has dropped a bit thus frustrating him more. My letodwn has absolutely slowed and does not come easily (especially when I feel stressed, Im working on it) I don't want to medicate for supply as I feel like it is just a matter of time before it doesnt work anymore and then I'll have to wean him anyway...

What would you do? Any advice?

[December baby]

Hi, no advice really but just wanted to say that your not alone - my baby is biting as well!!! She has just recently turned 1. So, in a couple of months time (after we return from a weeks holiday) I plan to wean. Hang in there!

[mini mac]

OUCH!! I know I could not bear that pain, especially if he is drawing blood on you!!

Can only offer personal experience...

DS1 did this briefly, not to the extent of bleeding tho.. I hate to say my loud vocals plus me running my nail along the sole of his foot gave him such a strong reaction it stopped him suddenly in his tracks. My reaction was mostly instinctive, I did it before I realised! He bit me several more times mid feed with virtually the same response. (My mum later told me she did the same with my brother, and it was a knee jerk reaction, and it also worked.)

Then he stopped. I'm not advocating violence in any way (this was not violent, just a nail on skin and a loud angry voice) but it certainly made him realise that it got an unpleasant reaction and he eventually remembered not to do it again. If it continued and was drawing blood I think I would've stopped breastfeeding for sure. But thats just me.

Hopefully you get some more helpful advice than mine. Good luck!

[CCLady]

Oh I think you have to do what you have to do. I am glad it worked for you Minimac, and at least you found something that did! (I laughed when you said violence, hardly lol!). I am actually willing to try anything at this stage.

December - how long has she been biting for?

I just feel like he is not going to stop now, its been going on for too long! I am not enjoying feeding him at all these days, and I happily breast fed my other son until he was 2.5yo. At this stage if I get him to 12m it will be a big fat bonus...

[December baby]

Hi, for me my baby's biting only started the last 2-3 months around 9 - 10 months old. She is my second baby and I never experienced biting with my older daughter. For me, when I respond with an 'ouch that hurts' and try to prize my boob out of my baby's mouth - my response seems to make my baby laugh (so not the desired reaction at all)!! But lately I have noticed that she has stopped biting so hoping that it has been just a phase. I have persisted with the breastfeeding (and 12 months was my original target to continue to breastfeed), but if she was drawing blood like in your case - I may have stopped breastfeeding at that point. I hope that it improves for you very soon.