Breastfeeding a Teething Infant
Summary: Breastfeeding a teething baby can really strain a mother’s patience. As a breastfeeding mother, you may have doubts about continuing to breastfeed during this difficult time.

Breastfeeding a teething baby can really strain a mother’s patience. As a breastfeeding mother, you may have doubts about continuing to breastfeed during this difficult time. Consider a few key points before you decide to stop breastfeeding your teething baby.

•    Breast milk is best for your baby.

•    Breast milk is the most nutritious food for a baby, because it has the perfect combination of protein, fat, sugar, and water.

•    Babies that breastfeed tend to have higher IQs than those who drink formula.

•    Breastfed babies are healthier and often leaner than formula-fed babies.

•    Babies usually digest breast milk easier than formula.

•    Premature babies usually do better with breast milk.

•    Breastfed babies generally require less doctor visits, prescriptions, and hospitalization than formula-fed babies.

•    Physical contact is essential for a baby to feel comforted, loved, and secure.

•    Breastfeeding is great for the environment too. Breastfeeding does not require formula cans, bottles, and other nursing products that end up in landfills.

Breastfeeding also has health benefits for you too, mom. Breastfeeding your baby creates a close special bond that only the two of you share. It also provides you and your little one with some quiet time to relax. You can breastfeed your baby just about anywhere, which provides your baby with instant access to food. Breastfeeding is easier than mixing formula and cost less too. Exclusive breastfeeding can delay menstrual cycles and ovulation. Nursing your baby also helps shed unwanted weight gained during pregnancy. Your chance of developing breast or ovarian cancer decreases, if you breastfeed. Nursing your baby benefits everyone.

Now, About That Biting…

Although biting hurts sensitive areas, you must remember that your baby is not trying to inflict pain. She is trying to soothe her own pain. Most babies do not understand that biting hurts, but with a little patience they can be taught not to bite. First, you need to determine why your baby is biting.
Babies generally bite while breastfeeding for two reasons. Some babies bite, nibble, or chew when they are done feeding and are in a playful mood. Another common reason for biting is that the baby is teething. Let’s take a look at each scenario…
Your baby has nursed on one or both breasts. She may start looking around, or become distracted from nursing. If she is biting while in a playful mood, then she is probably full. She still wants to be close to you, but she is not hungry. As soon as you notice this type of behavior, gently pull your breast away. You may be able to end the breastfeeding session without being bit.
If your baby has swollen gums, cries easily and drools. Then she is most likely teething. She may bite your nipple while breastfeeding, but not with the intention of causing pain. Her tender gums are sore from her emerging teeth. If she does bite your nipple, then gently remove your breast. Firmly tell her “No” and wait several minutes before attempting to breastfeed her again. After several attempts she should come to the realization that she will not receive breast milk, if she bites you. If your baby continues to bite, wait longer than several minutes before trying again. It is this separation time that she will eventually associate with biting. Teething does not have to be a cause for weaning your child from breastfeeding. Try to remain patient.

Help Her Sore Gums

Your baby will be less likely to bite while teething, if her gums are not as sore. Between nursing sessions, offer her a clean, wet washcloth to chew on. Better yet, chill the wet washcloth in the freezer for a few minutes. The cooler temperature will feel good on her tender gums. You can also try gently massing her gums with your finger. Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly before massaging her gums. A cold spoon to chew and gnaw on works well too.
There are many teething toys and aids that work wonders. Browse any baby store and you are sure to find plastic teething toys, wooden teething toys, gel-filled teething aids, and a wide selection of teething medication to ease the pain. You may find teething tablets that dissolve in the baby’s mouth, or gel that you can apply to baby’s gums. Perhaps you would prefer to use a home remedy to soothe the pain, such as vanilla extract or olive oil rubbed gently onto her gums. You could try making her teething biscuits as well. Ease your little one’s pain now, so that she is less likely to bite while breastfeeding.

Can’t Stand the Pain?

You’ve tried everything to no avail, and you just can’t stand the pain. If this is true, there is still one more option that would allow your baby to have your breast milk: pumping. Pumping your breasts will allow you to feed your baby breast milk, while maintain your supply. This option also provides you with a chance to resume breastfeeding in the future – once teething time is completed. It is not necessary to purchase an expensive breast pump, nowadays there are plenty of inexpensive models on the market that work well.
There are some simple things that you can do to make the pumping process easier. First of all, relax. When your body is stressed, it is much harder to pump milk. Try thinking of your baby to slip into a relaxed mood. Pump both breasts often to maintain a good supply of milk. Drink plenty of fluids, and take good care of yourself. A healthy mom is more likely to produce healthy amounts of milk.