Does breastfeeding feel different when baby is teething?

The Impact of Teething on Breastfeeding: What Mothers Should Know
As any breastfeeding mother can attest, the journey of nursing is filled with its own set of challenges and joys. One significant milestone that can alter this experience is teething, which typically begins between four to seven months of age. While the emergence of those tiny teeth can be daunting for some mothers, the reality is that teething does not have to spell the end of a comfortable breastfeeding relationship.
Changes in Nursing Behavior
When babies start teething, their behavior during breastfeeding can change noticeably. Some infants may seek the breast more frequently, using nursing as a way to soothe their sore gums. This can lead to a return to the almost constant nursing patterns seen in newborns, as the act of sucking provides comfort during this uncomfortable time. Conversely, other babies may become fussy and refuse to nurse altogether, as the pressure of sucking can exacerbate their gum discomfort.
Mothers may notice that their babies adjust their latch or position while nursing. This is often a natural response to avoid hitting sore gums with their new teeth. For some, this adjustment can lead to a feeling of discomfort for the mother, particularly if the latch is not optimal. It’s crucial for mothers to remain vigilant about their baby’s latch during this period to minimize any potential soreness.
Soothing Strategies
To help ease the teething process, many mothers find that offering a teething aid, such as a frozen washcloth or silicone teether, can provide relief for their babies before a feeding session. This can help calm the baby enough to resume breastfeeding comfortably. If a baby refuses to nurse due to teething pain, mothers are encouraged to pump or hand express milk to ensure their baby still receives the necessary nutrition.
Interestingly, while some babies may experience discomfort, others may not show any signs of distress at all. This variability means that each breastfeeding experience during teething can be unique, with some mothers reporting little to no impact on their nursing relationship.
The Bottom Line
In summary, while teething can introduce some challenges to breastfeeding, it does not have to disrupt the bond between mother and child. Many mothers find that with a few adjustments and soothing strategies, they can continue to breastfeed comfortably. As always, staying attuned to a baby’s needs and behaviors during this time is key to navigating the teething phase successfully.

Do teething babies bite while breastfeeding?

A teething baby may have tender gums and want to bite and chew on everything including your nipple as they feed – ouch! There are a few things you can do to help: Give your baby something hard and cold to chew on before a feed. This might relieve their discomfort.

Do babies get more attached when teething?

Irritability and clinginess are common in both cases.

Why does my baby pull away and cry while breastfeeding?

Sometimes, your milk lets down so fast that your baby can have trouble swallowing the amount of milk that’s being released. Because of this, your baby may act fussy at breast or choke and sputter at the breast, and he or she may be quite gassy.

Can teething affect the latch?

Some moms may find it hard to breastfeed when baby’s teeth are coming in. That’s because babies can experience discomfort when teething and will change their position or latch to avoid hitting their sore gums. Babies may also try to relieve soreness by biting.

How does breastfeeding work when baby has teeth?

It is important to remember that when your baby is breastfeeding/chestfeeding, their tongue extends beyond the bottom gum to draw in your nipple. This helps cushion the nipple from the edges of the new baby teeth.

Does breastfeeding feel different when teething?

Signs of teething
Changes in the way a baby latches on to the breast: feeding your baby may start to be uncomfortable, or she may change the position of her mouth or head, or her latch may just feel a bit different.

What does teething poop look like?

If any teething poop occurs it might be slightly looser than usual, but it shouldn’t be watery or overly runny, which would indicate diarrhea. The color may vary, but it typically stays within the normal range of yellow, green, or brown.

Is nursing painful for a teething baby?

Babies sometimes bite when they are teething because those erupting teeth make their gums tender and uncomfortable. Breastfeeding itself is soothing, but babies may also try to relieve the pressure by biting down. Whilst this is upsetting, it is also understandable. If this happens to you, it’s important to stay calm.

Do babies reject breast milk while teething?

Nursing strikes can be caused by a number of different things. Most nursing strikes occur as a result of illness (such as an ear infection), teething or the mother’s reaction to biting. However, breast refusal is also common in newborns who are not experiencing any of these issues.

How to be sure baby is teething?

Teething symptoms

1. your baby’s gum is sore and red where the tooth is coming through.
2. one cheek is flushed.
3. your baby is dribbling more than usual.
4. they are gnawing and chewing on things a lot.
5. they are more distressed than usual.