Comments on: Ask Judy: My Baby Keeps Biting Me, What Should I Do?

By: Kristi

Kristi — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 16:16:32 +0000

What a great post. Considering the way I’ve felt lately, I really needed this. It’s so reassuring to know that I’m not alone and really appreciate everyone’s comments and suggestions. Thanks so much for pointing me to this post.

Kristi, Live and Love…Out Loud
@TweetingMama
Kristi´s last blog ..From Breastfeeding Bliss To Breastfeeding Bitterness

By: Aly Hodge

Aly Hodge — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 19:46:47 +0000

I use homeopathic granules during the day, teething gel only needs a tiny amount put on the finger to soothe the gum.I only use this when her cheeks are red as this is mostly likely time that she’ll bite.I think if it was a hazard it wouldn’t be sold, certainly here in the U.K. Here we have such tight laws when it comes to children’s medicine.I guess it’s what works for you.

Aly Hodge’s last blog post..Choclate Butter Biscuits

By: Erica

Erica — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 17:41:33 +0000

I use to use cooking vanilla..My children only did this once or twice…Trust me it works..My first and last child got their first tooth at 4 months…They tried to use me as a teether, but I used a dab of cooking vanilla..This did not stop them from nursing..Just caught them off guard. I had no problems out of my middle when he go his first tooth at 8 months..It works..:-) Thanks for letting me share this..Erica

By: Megan

Megan — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 15:40:57 +0000

I have had problems with this and being firm has helped. My girl responds to eye contact more than words though! I swear she can see in my eyes that she has hurt me. I also pay close attention when I’m feeding because she tends to bite at the end. By being attentive I can slip my nipple out of her mouth before she bites me and we are both happy! I’m not a fan of teething gels because I’ve heard some babies swallow the gel and it can numb the back of their throat, causing them to choke. I have had success with the natural teething tablets I found at whole foods.

By: Mommy News

Mommy News — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 14:09:49 +0000

Thanks for your reply Aly. I agree that screaming or flinching is not good when getting bitten. I usually recommend using a firm voice to say “that hurts mommy” or something like that – but if you have had success without using any words – that is great too. I am eager to find what works for different moms. Thank you so much for sharing your experience. — Judy

By: Aly Hodge

Aly Hodge — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 14:03:56 +0000

I have to strongly disagree about scolding.As with all unwanted child behaviour, saying or doing nothing is better.I’m a mother of 3 children of whom I breastfed.My first experience of biting with DS put me off greatly, I would tell him off and shout and he would cry and bite again.It was one of the reasons we gave up 2 weeks after this happened at 10 and a half months.It wasn’t until I has DD1 when I trained as a breastfeeding peer supporter.We did a whole session on older babies and nursing habits.I learned that babies find breastfeeding very hard work and when they are teething the very action of breastfeeding can cause sore gum’s.When I think back it was when he had a lot of teeth coming through.When DD1 starting biting I did as was recommended and that was not to flinch,scream or react.Just take the baby off and put her down.Give her some pain relief, read her a story or play with her.If she wants to nurse, let her.If she does it again, put her down and leave her again.I used to point to my teeth when she bite me and put on teething gel on to her sore gum’s before trying to nurse again.It worked and DD2 has learned to point to my teeth when she is in pain whilst feeding.

Aly Hodge’s last blog post..Choclate Butter Biscuits

By: Amy Farr

Amy Farr — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 12:19:31 +0000

My dd only ever bit me a couple of times. She learned really quickly just by me scolding her. My ds on the other hand bites me constantly. The poor little guy got a little smack in the middle of the night when he bit me and woke me out of a dead sleep. It was just a gut response but I felt terrible for doing it. I’ve gotten to the point that I just take him off and put him down when he does it. I know he is teething right now. He’s been working on his upper front teeth for weeks so I blame that. Luckily he has never drawn blood but my dd did the first time she bit me. I wish I had better advice but what Judy said usually will work unless you have a stubborn one like mine.

Amy