Breastfeeding and Teeth


I knew I wanted to try breastfeeding Freddie, from the moment I found out I was pregnant. In fact, I had always said that if I ever had another baby, then I would try breastfeeding. Not once have I regretted my decision. I honestly have never thought about stopping until I got badly bit. I hadn't thought about how feeding was going to be once Freddie had teeth, but he had his first tooth at around four months old. He's now eight months old and has a full set of front teeth, top and bottom. He has 7 teeth all together and another 2 or 3 cutting through.


Feeding does change once the teeth come through. I've been bitten many of times. Freddie loves biting anything he sees. Whether it's my partner's feet (yes, disgusting, I know!), anyone's nose, face, hand. Finger, the sofa, anything! When I hear people shout 'ouch!' because he's bitten them, I just think "Try and think of that pain in a sensitive area, such as your boob!" *laughing!*.

He hasn't made me bleed, yet. But he's given me bite marks and actually made me petrified to feed him again. The biting has put me into tears many of times, and it takes a while for me to feel comfortable to feed again. But, he doesn't bite all the time. I swear by using nipple cream and keeping it hydrated if you do get bitten often. Your nipple can get really sore, just like the early days of breastfeeding. It soon heals, though.

Many people that I know are shocked that I still feed him because he has so many teeth and they couldn't imagine breastfeeding a baby with teeth. How I see it is, I am used to feeding Freddie. It's been eight months now, and even though his first tooth cut through around four months, I've been used to it. Even through all the bites and the bite marks, I still feed. But in all honesty, it isn't as bad as it sounds. They can still latch on properly and feed just as normal.

Things you can do if you get bitten;

Use nipple cream; You can get sore (very sore) if you're getting bitten, a lot. Use the same nipple cream as you did at the beginning of your breastfeeding journey. It will soothe it and heal quicker than if you were to leave it. 

Try not to be scared; Once you've been bitten, you might be really anxious to feed again. Don't let it put you off feeding because it doesn't happen all the time. It may take you a few more feeds to feel ok about it again.

Un-latch; If you get bitten, unlatch! That's easily done by putting your little finger into the side of your baby's mouth, and your baby should have un latch. Keep doing it until baby stops biting. 

Has anyone else experienced being bitten during breastfeeding?

1 comment

  1. I used to get the same comments - so many people assumed I'd stop feeding once Alfie got teeth. We did have a few occasions where he bit me, but I soon got wise and could preempt when he'd do it. Another tip I found helpful was to try not to react (as hard as that can be!) as they then think it's a game! Well done for feeding for so long though, a great achievement!

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