[au*lit]

My 11 month old has 6 teeth (the first came through around 6 months). Prior to the teeth I suspected his latch might not be great, but it worked ok. As his teeth now come through further he is causing me more and more pain.

He isn't biting as such, but when he's latched on his teeth are digging in to the areola very close to the nipple. After most feeds I have two teeth indents above (and sometimes below) the nipple. It's often quite painful after a feed, and can be for hours afterwards.

I have tried to get him to open his mouth wider but it doesn't seem to work. When I try to get more of the areola into his mouth he either pulls back or pushes the breast away until he's back in his preferred position. I have large breasts; I'm not sure if this has an impact on his latch.

I feel like I can't go on with this level of pain and discomfort, and I'm considering weaning. I knew I'd breastfeed for at least 12 months, and I should make it that far (only a couple of weeks away). But if this was not occurring I know I would keep feeding him for longer.

Currently he's feeding 4 times during the day (on waking, before each nap and before bed) and usually once overnight.

This afternoon I expressed a feed (for the first time in ages) to give my nipples a break and even expressing was sore. I don't mind expressing occasionally but I'm not willing to pump 4 or 5 times a day.

Please help! I don't feel ready to give up but I can't take this for much longer.

[Chelara]

It hurts doesn't it? I can't remember how long it takes to settle down but it does, not sure if your boobs toughen up, the teeth blunten or the baby changes attachment but it does eventually stop hurting.

[au*lit]

I hope so, but it seems to be getting worse, not better.

[Le-a]

Op I started a thread on the same topic months ago! I know what youre talking about, with the teeth just 'resting' on your nipple. It bloody hurts! I agree with PP who said it would pass, it did for us anyway.

How are your DS solids going? Would you consider dropping a feed during the day, or is that not possible without interrupting naps? Just thinking it might help give your nipples a break without weaning entirely.

Have you tried changing feeding positions (like the football hold), just so DSs teeth sit on a different spot?

Hope things improve for you soon, and well done for getting to eleven months!

[bluedragon]

I don't know how much help I can be but I have been having similar issues lately too. DS is also 11 months and has 8 teeth which first appeared at about 4 months. Apart from a few biting incidences we've been pretty good with teeth up until now.

I've been noticing feeds have sometimes been a bit uncomfortable verging on quite painful over the last few weeks and if its bad I have also had the teeth marks after a feed too.

I'm not really sure what to do about it, I try repositioning him while he's feeding and try taking him off and reattaching but not much seems to help.

The only thing that seems to have any affect is once he is on to make sure I keep his head as close to my breast as possible and not let him stretch the breast/nipple at all, not so his nose is covered or anything but so that there is a fair bit of breast pushed up around his mouth if you can picture that at all. For some reason his attachment seems much better when I do this. It can be hard as he's in a stage where all he wants to do is move around while attached, taking me with him!

GL, I hope you get some good suggestions for things to try, I'll be stalking to see if anyone else has any ideas.

[Chelara]

I didn't do it but you could try shields. Lansinoh might help with healing too.

[TwiceTheWoman]

This does happen occasionally and is unusual. It can be so disappointing to have to consider weaning earlier that than we envisage. Sometimes various tweaks are needed and the best remedy is to try tilting his head back at varying degrees.
The suckle comes mostly from the peristaltic roll along the tongue and there shouldn't be any chomping or jaw clamping although a child may occasionally do this if they are getting any teeth. Do you think he's having movement of his 12 month molars? Usually jet a gentle "ah-ahh, no chomping, open wider" reminder will suffice.
To help him understand about opening his mouth wider, try saying "(name), open your mouth wider like this" then open your mouth wide to demonstrate. Requesting & demonstrating works well from around 10 months old.
Otherwise the best recommendation would be to call you local ABA counsellor for a chat and I'd recommend attending a local group meeting for your best support.
All the best OP; whatever the outcome, you've done a grand job feeding your DS!

[au*lit]

Thanks for the replies everyone

Op I started a thread on the same topic months ago! I know what youre talking about, with the teeth just 'resting' on your nipple. It bloody hurts! I agree with PP who said it would pass, it did for us anyway.

How are your DS solids going? Would you consider dropping a feed during the day, or is that not possible without interrupting naps? Just thinking it might help give your nipples a break without weaning entirely.

Have you tried changing feeding positions (like the football hold), just so DSs teeth sit on a different spot?

Hope things improve for you soon, and well done for getting to eleven months!

He is eating pretty well, 3-4 times a day. I am considering dropping the day feeds as a start.

I almost always feed with the side lying hold, but have tried the cradle hold on occasion and it doesn't seem to make much difference, but I will try again.

I don't know how much help I can be but I have been having similar issues lately too. DS is also 11 months and has 8 teeth which first appeared at about 4 months. Apart from a few biting incidences we've been pretty good with teeth up until now.

I've been noticing feeds have sometimes been a bit uncomfortable verging on quite painful over the last few weeks and if its bad I have also had the teeth marks after a feed too.

I'm not really sure what to do about it, I try repositioning him while he's feeding and try taking him off and reattaching but not much seems to help.

The only thing that seems to have any affect is once he is on to make sure I keep his head as close to my breast as possible and not let him stretch the breast/nipple at all, not so his nose is covered or anything but so that there is a fair bit of breast pushed up around his mouth if you can picture that at all. For some reason his attachment seems much better when I do this. It can be hard as he's in a stage where all he wants to do is move around while attached, taking me with him!

GL, I hope you get some good suggestions for things to try, I'll be stalking to see if anyone else has any ideas.

I do try to hold him in close but he really struggles against it. If he can't pull his head back he will push against me with one hand to reposition himself.

I didn't do it but you could try shields. Lansinoh might help with healing too.

I tried nipple shields but didn't really know what I was doing with them. DS didn't know what was happening either and just tried to play with them instead of feeding.

This does happen occasionally and is unusual. It can be so disappointing to have to consider weaning earlier that than we envisage. Sometimes various tweaks are needed and the best remedy is to try tilting his head back at varying degrees.
The suckle comes mostly from the peristaltic roll along the tongue and there shouldn't be any chomping or jaw clamping although a child may occasionally do this if they are getting any teeth. Do you think he's having movement of his 12 month molars? Usually jet a gentle "ah-ahh, no chomping, open wider" reminder will suffice.
To help him understand about opening his mouth wider, try saying "(name), open your mouth wider like this" then open your mouth wide to demonstrate. Requesting & demonstrating works well from around 10 months old.
Otherwise the best recommendation would be to call you local ABA counsellor for a chat and I'd recommend attending a local group meeting for your best support.
All the best OP; whatever the outcome, you've done a grand job feeding your DS!

He's not chomping as such, it's just that his mouth isn't open very wide and he only just wants the nipple in his mouth, nothing more.

Not sure about the molars - it's hard enough brushing his teeth let alone getting a look in there for tooth movement! I will try to get a look.

I will try modelling the open mouth again.

I would love to go to an ABA meeting but my local group meeting times are pretty inconvenient for me. If none of the suggestions here work I'll give them a call and/or get along to a meeting.

[SarahM72]

This has happened to me with all my toddlers as they get their teeth. I can't really remember what I did to fix it, it just seemed to settle after a couple of months. I do remember trying to push them in closer, make them open their mouths wider, get a better latch etc, but none of it seemed to work. But after awhile I'd just notice that it was no longer hurting!

However once I had a lot of pain from someone's little teeth. Turned out I was pregnant (and my breasts were really sensitive).

This post has been edited by SarahM72: 24/04/2012, 05:20 PM

[runnybabbit]

Oh au lit, that sucks. Sorry I can't be of much help -- Nathan also digs in with his latching, but I think I have tough nipples (?) so I'm usually sore after a feed. Haven't had any luck getting him to gape wider; he's had a shallow latch since day one!