Is Your Baby Biting Your Nipple While Breastfeeding?

The baby biting the breast while breastfeeding is actually quite common for breastfeeding mothers. This movement, which your baby makes unconsciously, is usually seen during the teething period. However, there may be other reasons as well. Therefore, first of all, you should focus on finding the underlying cause so that you can fix the problem. In this article; You can find answers to questions such as why do babies bite the breast, how to prevent nipple biting.

Why Do Babies Bite the Breast While Breastfeeding?

In order to solve a problem, it is necessary to examine the underlying causes. If your baby is biting your breast while feeding, you are in the process of teething. In the teething phase, which starts at an average of 6 months, the baby's lower incisors appear first. Then the upper incisors begin to emerge. Since the teething process is a very painful and difficult process for the baby, your child may try to provide relief by biting your nipple while feeding. Initially, they compress the nipple between the first erupting lower incisors and the upper palate. This compression does not cause much pain to the mother. However, when the upper incisors come out, breastfeeding can turn into a nightmare for the mother. This usually happens around the 10th month. The pain is much more pronounced and may cause concerns in the mother before she starts breastfeeding.

• Another reason for the baby to bite the nipple can be upper respiratory tract and ear infections. Your baby, who is sick, stuffy and tired, will have a hard time breastfeeding. This may cause him to become greedy and bite your breast.
• Incorrect breastfeeding position can also result in your baby biting the breast. Babies who are not comfortable while breastfeeding and cannot absorb the milk sufficiently can express their reactions with a bite.
• Your baby may also be inclined to bite when he wants attention or wants you to give him your full attention.

How to Prevent the Baby from Biting the Breast?

Breastfeeding is an excellent method to strengthen the bond between mother and baby, which begins to form when the baby is still in the womb, after birth. In addition, breast milk is the easiest food to digest and can meet all the mineral and vitamin needs of your baby for the first 6 months. Therefore, when your baby starts biting your nipple, you should not think of ending the breastfeeding process. First of all, you should try to determine the cause of the bite. You should then try to eliminate that cause. E.g; If you think that the breastfeeding position is not comfortable, you can find more comfortable positions. Or, if your baby is in the teething period, you can give your baby a teether that you have cooled a little in the refrigerator. The following methods may also be of use to you in this process.

• If your baby is teething, he needs to scratch his gums and relax. In this process, if you have started using a pacifier before, you can relax by giving a pacifier from time to time. If you don't use a pacifier, you can use teethers. In particular, you can help your baby relax by keeping the watery teether in the refrigerator for a while.
• Silicone or silver breast protectors may also come in handy during this period. These protectors act as a shield and help protect the mother's nipple. You can start researching and using the healthiest and safest one.
• The mother's reaction when the baby bites the breast is also very important. Responding too aggressively and harshly may cause your baby to bite harder or move further away from the breast, while your smile may make him think you are playing and keep biting. So what can we do? As soon as he bites, take your breast out of his mouth without reacting too harshly and offer to breastfeed again after a while. If it bites again, repeat the same application. Thus, when your baby bites, he may realize that he cannot suckle and stop biting.