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Is there something I can do about my infant son chewing on my nipples? It hurts!!?
My son is 3 1/2 months old. He is my second child; with both I wasn't able to produce enough breast milk to sustain them (due to other medical issues), but I still breastfed my first as much as I could along with formula until she self-weaned at 5 1/2 months, and I am doing the same with my son.
My son more readily and more often wants the breast than my daughter ever did. He is a bigger eater than she was, and he also prefers to nurse for comfort--especially when he's ready to go to sleep. Now he is doing something I never had a problem with when my daughter was a baby: He has no teeth yet, but he is biting down on my nipples HARD with his gums, sometimes twisting and pulling, and it is excruciating! He doesn't do this when he's hungry, he has just started doing this when he wants to nurse for comfort. Is there anything I can do short of no longer letting him comfort nurse (I would really prefer not to deny him the breast for any reason if possible)? I just cannot stand the pain.
4 Answers
- Suzy QLv 76 years ago
Sounds like a latching problem, possibly due to nipple confusion. Nursing at the breast requires a completely different technique than drinking from a bottle, and he may be forgetting how to do it properly. With a good latch it is impossible for baby to chew on your nipple - because it would be way in the back of his mouth.
Have you been working with a lactation consultant? If not, I would really recommend it. Latching problems are fixable most of the time, and even if you never get to a point where you no longer need formula, I completely sympathize with at least wanting to offer the breast as long as baby is willing. You're still giving your baby many of the benefits of breastfeeding, including comfort, even if you're not baby's only food source.
- 6 years ago
Awe I know how you feel my daughter does the same sometimes & it's also only when she's nursing for confort or when she doesn't want to eat anymore. I simply stopped giving her breast for comfort. I still breastfeed but when I see that she's falling asleep or isn't sucking anymore I take my breast away because if I leave it there she will pull her head away from it & man does it hurt.
I haven't had a problem since making these little changes. I hope It gets better for you to.
- Anonymous6 years ago
Maybe you should you've never gave birth because your a terrible parent. Make him drink from a bottle and stop this disgusting breast feeding you moms like to do. Btw, DISNEY WORLD SUCKS!!! You should just turn your baby into child services. They will find it a better home.
