Has your baby started biting during breastfeeding?

You might have heard that when the first teeth appear, biting during breastfeeding starts too. But here is an interesting fact: while the baby is actually breastfeeding, they cannot bite you. During sucking, the tongue lies over the lower gum and teeth, if they have any, protecting the nipple.

So when does the bite happen? Usually when the baby stops feeding actively. It can happen at the start or end of the feed, when the milk flow slows down, when they are already full and start to play, when they are distracted or seeking your attention. The appearance of the first teeth can also contribute: if their gums are uncomfortable, biting can provide some relief

One of the best strategies is to learn to anticipate this moment.

• Have they stopped swallowing?
• Are they pulling their mouth away slightly?
• Has their expression changed?
• Do they seem to be playing?

If you already know the pattern, you can gently remove the breast before the bite. If they bite, calmly interrupt the feed. Avoid pulling the breast away sharply; break the suction first by placing a finger in the corner of their mouth.

If they are teething, you can offer something safe and cool to bite on before the feed. And if you notice that they bite mostly when they are distracted or seeking interaction, try reducing the stimuli around them and giving them more attention during the feed.

Another strategy that often works is wearing a colourful necklace around your neck with beads or large objects that won't hurt the baby, to spark their interest and keep them distracted.

Remember: having teeth does not mean they will start biting during breastfeeding. Many babies never bite the breast, even when they already have several little teeth.