What to do when breastfeeding a teething baby?

Navigating Breastfeeding with a Teething Baby
Breastfeeding a teething baby can be a challenging experience for many parents, but it doesn’t have to signal the end of your nursing journey. As babies begin to cut their first teeth, typically around six months, they may experience discomfort that can affect their feeding habits. However, with the right strategies, both mother and baby can navigate this phase smoothly.
Understanding Teething and Its Impact on Nursing
Teething is a natural process that varies significantly from one baby to another. While some infants may show little to no discomfort, others might be fussy and irritable as their teeth begin to emerge. Despite these challenges, experts agree that teething should not drastically impact the breastfeeding relationship. In fact, nursing can provide comfort during these uncomfortable times, helping to soothe a fussy baby.
Preparing for Breastfeeding Sessions
To ease the teething process, consider preparing your baby before breastfeeding. Offering a cold, wet washcloth or a chilled teething toy can help soothe sore gums. This preemptive measure can make your baby more comfortable and less likely to bite during nursing. Additionally, massaging your baby’s gums with a clean finger can provide relief and help them feel more at ease.
Adjusting Nursing Positions
Finding the right nursing position is crucial when breastfeeding a teething baby. A good latch is essential; it minimizes the chances of biting and ensures that your baby is comfortable. Bringing your baby’s head and mouth closer to your breast can help achieve a better latch, reducing the likelihood of discomfort for both of you. If you feel your baby’s teeth while nursing, it may be a sign to reassess your position to ensure they are not pulling on your areola.
Maintaining a Calm Environment
Breastfeeding is not just about nutrition; it’s also a bonding experience. During this time, maintaining a calm and engaging environment can help distract your baby from teething discomfort. Make eye contact, talk, or sing to your baby while nursing. You might even consider giving them a small toy to hold, which can provide additional comfort and distraction.
Recognizing Signs of Discomfort
It’s important to be attentive to your baby’s cues. If they seem particularly uncomfortable or fussy while nursing, it may be beneficial to take a break and try again later. Sometimes, simply allowing your baby to chew on a teething toy for a few minutes before breastfeeding can help them settle down.
Conclusion: Embracing the Journey
Breastfeeding a teething baby can be a unique challenge, but it also offers an opportunity for deeper connection and comfort. By preparing adequately, adjusting nursing positions, and creating a soothing environment, you can continue to nurture your baby through this developmental milestone. Remember, every baby is different, and finding what works best for you and your little one is key to a successful breastfeeding experience during teething.

What helps teething pain while breastfeeding?

While nursing
If you sense your baby is slowing down his or her feeding, fidgeting, shifting the tongue, or tightening the jaw, unlatch your baby and offer him or her a cold washcloth or teething toy to relieve discomfort. After your baby has had a chance to bite or chew, try breastfeeding again.

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.

How do you fix a breastfeeding strike?

If your baby is frustrated, stop and try again later. You might try feeding your baby when he or she is very sleepy. Change positions. Try different breastfeeding positions.

Do teething babies bite while breastfeeding?

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.

How long does teething fussiness last?

Each tooth takes about 1 to 7 days to break through the gum, but the discomfort associated with this process can start a few days before this and then for a few days after. So, for each tooth, the teething process could potentially last for up to a week or two.

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.

How long does a teething nursing strike last?

Nursing strikes can be frightening and upsetting to both you and your baby, but they are almost always temporary. Most nursing strikes are over, with the baby back to breastfeeding, within two to four days. First thing to remember is to feed the baby. The other important thing is to protect your supply.

How can I make my baby’s teeth less painful when breastfeeding?

Before Nursing

1. Give your baby a cold, wet washcloth or cold teething toy to soothe sore gums.
2. Massage your baby’s gums with a clean finger.

What to do if baby bites while breastfeeding?

Keep a finger at the ready so you can break the suction quickly if your baby does try to bite . If your baby does bite, take them off the breast and offer something else to bite on instead . When your baby bites, it sometimes helps to briefly try pulling your baby closer, as this may encourage them to let go .

How do you deal with teething while breastfeeding?

Bring your baby’s head and mouth as close as possible so that he isn’t pulling on your areola. Try holding him in a different position (lying down, for example) at each nursing session so the pressure from his jaw and teeth changes locations.