Biting, when it does occur, is usually just a temporary (and painful stage). A nip can hurt even when your baby has no teeth but it is usually associated with teething. Many women never imagine that they would breastfeed a baby with teeth. Those who do get through this stage often continue to breastfeed well into toddlerhood without further problems.

While biting can be a problem for some mothers, mothers should not think that all babies will bite the nipple. When a baby is breastfeeding correctly, he is not able to bite, because his tongue is over his bottom gum (and teeth). It is when babies are not actively feeding that they may bite. This is usually at the beginning of the feed or at the end when you are not paying full attention to your baby, or they have had enough.

The baby who bites

Some babies bite because the milk does not come quickly enough, or perhaps because Mum is talking to someone else and not giving them the attention they want. Some babies bite at the end of a feed when they have had enough and are playing at the breast.

If your baby tends to bite because he is impatient, it may help to express a little before the feed so that the milk flows straight away. This might only be necessary when your baby is tired or very hungry.

Watch your baby while he feeds and if he just seems to be playing, or gets a mischievous look in his eye, break the suction and take him off straight away. If he does bite, saying 'No!' firmly and taking him off the breast straight away will teach him not to do it.

Many people think that when baby gets teeth and has the ability to bite that it's time to wean. Not true! If your baby is latching and feeding correctly, then you should not feel teeth, even if baby has a mouthful of them. And keep in mind that it's physically impossible for baby to nurse and bite at the same time, because the tongue covers the bottom teeth/gum when baby is nursing. Watch your baby the next time they feed and youll see their tongue come out over their teeth on the bottom.

Most babies will bite a little at some stage, but generally this is a very transient phenonemon that doesnt last a long time, and if you deal with it promtly and gently, should be in the past very quickly (becasue ouch it can huuuuurt!)

All babies are different, so you may need to try several different things before you find something that works for you. What works for you will depend on your baby's age, temperament and personality.

Many mothers have gotten through this stage and gone on to feed for weeks, months, and even years afterwards.

Reasons for biting and ways to stop it:

The best and most effective approach comes from identifying the reason why your baby is biting (trivial as it may be!)

Is there something in baby's mouth?

Most babies who are at the crawling or just walking stage put things into their mouths. If you have a baby like this, it is worth checking his mouth when picking him up and putting him to the breast. A baby with something else in his mouth (food, a small piece of paper from the floor or even sand from the sand pit) may well bite while trying to get on to the nipple - or the foreign substance itself may damage nipple skin.    

Biting at the end of a feed:

Biting often takes place at the end of a feed when baby is getting bored and is no longer hungry. If you start to have a biting problem, watch for signs of boredom, and take baby from the breast before the biting starts. Also, watch for tension in baby's jaw before he starts to bite down. He may also pull his tongue back from it's normal position over the lower gum/teeth. If your baby is older you can really see it coming as they generally will “test the water” and do it quite slowly/ playfully. This obviously makes it easier to pre-empt.

Teething?

Biting can also be brought on by teething. If baby seems to be teething rather than wanting to nurse, offer her a teething toy or something cold to bite (instead of your boob!). Offer baby a teething toy after a bite or "near miss." Talk to your baby and tell them boobs are for feeding (or whatever term you use !) and the teething ring/ toy is for biting if their teeth are hurting.  

Biting at the beginning of a feed:

If baby is biting at the beginning of a nursing session, make sure baby latches on correctly and with a wide mouth. Praise baby when she latches on correctly, without biting.

Distracted baby:

When baby is distracted, don't force a feed. If he's wriggling, rolling, or pushing against you with his arms, he may not be hungry or interested in food. Try lying down with him in a quiet room, walking or rocking. Or just try again after a little walk/ play...

Biting for attention:

Focus your attention on your baby while feeding, if you're having a problem with biting. Some older babies will bite for attention. Paying attention will also help you to be aware of when baby is about to bite.

What to do if your baby does manage to bite you:

Stopping the feed is generally the most effective way to teach baby that nursing and biting do not go together. Once baby lets go, remove her from the breast for a bit - it may be a few seconds or a few minutes (this is something where you'll need to gauge your own baby's reaction). If baby is teething, (which is often the cause of biting), this is a good time to hand baby something cold to chew on, a teething toy, etc. Talk to your baby and tell them that biting hurts! 

If baby bites, it's not a good idea to scream shout as a method to stop biting -- there are better ways to teach baby not to bite. Plus youll probably frighten the life out of your little mite. Sometimes, of course, it's impossible not to shout in pain if baby catches you by surprise and/or bites hard. Some babies think shouting is so funny that they continue to bite for the reaction, and other babies are so scared that they go on a nursing strike. The chance that this method will stop baby biting is simply not worth the problems it can cause.

If your baby bites down and doesn't let go (most let go immediately without mom doing anything), there are a couple of things you can do: First, quickly place your finger between baby's gums so you can pull away.. If that doesn't work, pull baby TOWARDs you, squashed up into your boob. This will make it a little hard to breathe, so baby will automatically let go to open her mouth more and uncover her nose to breathe.

A nipple that has been bitten by baby's sharp new teeth can be treated in the same way as a sore or cracked nipple - a smear of hind milk after a feed, exposure to fresh air and prompt changing of damp nursing pads or bras. See your medical adviser if these measures do not promote healing, or if the area becomes inflamed or infected.

Teeth “scratching”

Some babies with newly-erupted teeth will 'rest' these teeth on the mother's areola or breast, leaving little indentations, that although not a bite, can be quite painful. At times like this it helps to go back to basics with positioning and attachment. Take care when you are feeding that your baby is held closely chest-to-chest, has a big wide mouth and has his chin to your breast. Careful positioning and attachment and a little time for those very sharp top teeth to smooth down and you will soon be feeding in comfort again.

Tips:.

With an older baby, the weight of the baby can cause baby's mouth and teeth to "drag down" on the breast tissue. See if you can position baby so that her weight is supported well. Use pillows or a chair with arm rests to support her as much as you can. When she is feeding  on the left side, bring her bottom in a little bit closer and vice versa. Don't let her feed in a position that lets her weight and gravity cause her mouth to pull down on your breast and nipple. Try moving her body slightly in different ways (higher, lower, side to side, etc.) till the pressure on your breast is lessened.

When you support your breast with 2-4 fingers underneath and thumb on top, push in against the chest wall with your index finger just before offering the breast. This will cause the nipple and areola to point down more, so that they don't rub against baby's upper teeth. This technique is often suggested for moms who have nipple soreness due to their nipples rubbing up against the roof of baby's mouth.

Ask your older baby to open WIDE and show her with your own mouth. Tell her that it hurts you and ask her to try again until it feels better.

A generous application of lanolin (lansinoh) before and after feeding may be helpful, as will rinsing your nipples with cool water after feedings. When babies are teething they produce more saliva which can be irritating to nipple tissue. If baby is eating solids, sometimes food particles left in the mouth can also irritate nipple tissue, so it may help to rinse out baby's mouth or give baby a sip of water prior to nursing.

Any time you experience soreness, go back to latch techniques just as you did in the early days.

It's also possible that some of the tenderness is a result of ovulation or an impending menstrual period. Many mums of older babies are more bothered with latch on and baby's teeth during these times.

More:

Toddler's teeth rub nipple, Q&A by Debbie Donovan, IBCLC

Toddler Tips: Uncomfortable Latch from the LLLI website