My LO has started to chew on me

Kekei · Nov 21st, 2009, 17:04 PM

My LO is 7 weeks old and I have had not problems breastfeeding her. She latched on straight away and has been putting on weight well. The problem began last night when my LO started chewing on my nipple when feeding. She starts off with a good latch then towards the end she starts to chew on me with her gums whilst still sucking. It is so painful!! My OH has been bottlefeeding her EBM and he said tonight that this is what she sometimes does on the bottle. Has bottlefeeding her confused her with latching on? What can I do to stop her with this habit?

Lu28 · Nov 21st, 2009, 18:02 PM

I'm not sure hon. Are you sure she's still feeding when she does this or is it just comfort sucking? I know Aisling does it when she's finished feeding properly and is just messing about.

OpheliaX · Nov 21st, 2009, 21:19 PM

Sounds like comfort sucking Lucian does it but it is not usually painful. Is it happening on each breast? If it hurts break the latch and see if the baby will re latch. Comfort sucking between breasts helps reduce reflux so if it doesn't hurt I would leave it.

Do you use a pacifier too?

OpheliaX · Nov 21st, 2009, 21:20 PM

Just found this about nipple confusion:

Quote:

Babies that are given artificial nipples (bottles and pacifiers) sometimes become confused because the movements used to breastfeed are very different from those used to suck on an artificial nipple. This nipple confusion can result in the baby clamping down or chewing at the breast rather than latching and sucking correctly. Babies that like to chew on the spout of a sippy cup also may enjoy nibbling at the breast. It is important for you to give extra attention to your positioning and latching and focus on breastfeeding if this happens.

Kekei · Nov 21st, 2009, 22:23 PM

Thank you opheliax for that info. I think that's what has happened. I didn't think it was comfort sucking as it has only happened at night after she has had a bottle at bedtime. I have told my husband that if he sees her doing it on the bottle to take the teat out of her mouth and get her to relatch on. I'm going to also watch out when she breastfeeding and ensure she has the correct latch. This is what I feared when we started giving her a bottle but I really want my oh to be involved in her feeding.

We don't give her a dummy. When we have tried she spits it out a screams.

OpheliaX · Nov 21st, 2009, 22:26 PM

Glad to help.

My LO was Preemie so had to start on bottle so I am luck to be able to give him a bottle once in a while with no isue except that he makes a mess drinking it.

Nov 21st, 2009, 17:04 PM	#1
Kekei Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 50	My LO has started to chew on me My LO is 7 weeks old and I have had not problems breastfeeding her. She latched on straight away and has been putting on weight well. The problem began last night when my LO started chewing on my nipple when feeding. She starts off with a good latch then towards the end she starts to chew on me with her gums whilst still sucking. It is so painful!! My OH has been bottlefeeding her EBM and he said tonight that this is what she sometimes does on the bottle. Has bottlefeeding her confused her with latching on? What can I do to stop her with this habit?

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Nov 21st, 2009, 18:02 PM	#2
Lu28 Mum (Mom) BnB Elite Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Dublin, Ireland Posts: 12,646	I'm not sure hon. Are you sure she's still feeding when she does this or is it just comfort sucking? I know Aisling does it when she's finished feeding properly and is just messing about.
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Nov 21st, 2009, 21:19 PM	#3
OpheliaX Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: NY, NY Posts: 3,059	Sounds like comfort sucking Lucian does it but it is not usually painful. Is it happening on each breast? If it hurts break the latch and see if the baby will re latch. Comfort sucking between breasts helps reduce reflux so if it doesn't hurt I would leave it. Do you use a pacifier too?

Status: Offline

Nov 21st, 2009, 22:23 PM	#5
Kekei Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 50	Thank you opheliax for that info. I think that's what has happened. I didn't think it was comfort sucking as it has only happened at night after she has had a bottle at bedtime. I have told my husband that if he sees her doing it on the bottle to take the teat out of her mouth and get her to relatch on. I'm going to also watch out when she breastfeeding and ensure she has the correct latch. This is what I feared when we started giving her a bottle but I really want my oh to be involved in her feeding. We don't give her a dummy. When we have tried she spits it out a screams.

Status: Offline

Nov 21st, 2009, 22:26 PM	#6
OpheliaX Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: NY, NY Posts: 3,059	Glad to help. My LO was Preemie so had to start on bottle so I am luck to be able to give him a bottle once in a while with no isue except that he makes a mess drinking it.

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