Teething Doesn't Need to End Breastfeeding

No matter how many problems a nursing mother may have getting started breastfeeding, nursing becomes a special bonding time between mother and child-until baby begins teething. I know because I had personal experience with breastfeeding and teething with my two and, as a mother and speaker who taught a class for new mothers and as an author who wrote a book for new mothers. Teething is an important issue.

When baby begins teething, Mother wonders if baby is nursing or gnawing. When baby begins teething, nursing can, once more, become painful and stressful. The once sweet bonding time may become a balance of nursing and stopping the growing, teething baby from biting-a new action baby wants to try out at every opportunity.

When the teething baby begins to bite, mother needs to release the suction, stop the biting and give herself a chance to take a breath. At this point, breastfeeding may become so painful and stressful, many mothers give up breastfeeding all together. Food is introduced or if already introduced, given on a more regular basis. Often at this point, mothers also switch to a bottle.

But this approach may not be best for the little baby who is already facing many changes of growth and awareness. Baby doesn't understand why mother distances herself at this crucial time and the mother's actions can leave baby feeling anxious. Nursing calms both baby and, mother, once that precious little one learns that mother won't put up with biting.

Teething rings and other safe items should be introduced so baby has something on which to practice teething. When baby bites while nursing, Mother must make it clear she is not amused. Breaking the suction while saying a firm, "No." helps the breastfeeding baby understand biting is not acceptable. A tap, just a tap, on the nose can follow up when baby doesn't get the message. As with anything regarding children, patience is the key.

Many things children do will try our patience. Breaking baby from biting during breastfeeding is one small, but important, step in helping baby begin to realize there are limits and help Mother learn patience.

When patience wears thin, remember why you chose to breastfeed. It is safer, healthier, provides a special bonding experience between mother and child and is environmentally friendly. A bottle, even at this stage, introduces a higher possibility of allergies and sensitivities. A bottle distances mother from baby at a critical time in the life of the baby and adds a whole new routine.

My first child, after he caught onto breastfeeding, was an aggressive nurser and when he started teething, was not fun to breastfeed. Breastfeeding times became stressful and painful. I turned to my nursing friends and La Leche League for direction.

Yes, I started feeding baby something besides breast milk. I also followed their directions for teaching my baby not to bite. Because of the advice I received I continued breastfeeding and had many more months of time with my son,who continued breastfeeding and growing healthy and strong. Many more months where he wasn't plagued by allergies that came once we switched to cow's milk.

Breastfeeding even during teething has benefits far beyond feeding time for both mother and baby. It helps both weather the storms of biting to the adjustment that baby is growing and will naturally wean in baby's own time-healthy and well-adjusted.