Breastfeeding a baby who has started teething is a common source of anxiety for many parents. While the arrival of teeth can introduce new challenges, it does not automatically signal the end of the breastfeeding relationship. This fear is largely due to the misunderstanding that a baby can bite while actively nursing, which is not the case with a proper latch. Pain from a bite is usually a sharp, surprising reaction when the baby is no longer engaged in the mechanics of sucking and swallowing. The development of teeth is simply a normal milestone that requires a few adjustments to feeding habits to ensure comfort for both parent and child.
Understanding Why Biting Happens
The physiology of an effective nursing session makes biting nearly impossible. When a baby is properly latched and actively feeding, the tongue is positioned over the lower gum line, covering the emerging teeth. This natural placement protects the nipple from the baby’s lower teeth. Therefore, a bite can only happen when the baby is no longer actively sucking and has shifted their tongue away from the lower jaw.
Biting most often occurs at the beginning or the end of a feed, when the baby is distracted, or when the milk flow slows down. A baby may clamp down in frustration while waiting for the milk let-down to begin, or they might bite as a sign they are finished and are simply resting their jaw. Teething discomfort, such as sore or swollen gums, can also cause a baby to instinctively clamp down for counter-pressure, using the breast as a temporary teether. This clamping is not malicious but an attempt to soothe their aching gums.
Proactive Measures to Prevent Biting
Preventing a bite starts with ensuring the deepest latch possible, positioning the nipple safely toward the back of the baby’s mouth. A deep latch keeps the baby’s mouth wide open and encourages the tongue to stay over the lower teeth throughout the feed. Parents should pay close attention to the rhythm of the feed, especially toward the end. Look for signs that active sucking has stopped, such as slowing jaw movements or the baby becoming easily distracted.
Intervening before the bite is effective; break the suction and unlatch the baby as soon as the active nursing pattern shifts. If teething pain is the cause, managing that discomfort before the feed can help prevent clamping. Offering a chilled teething toy, a cold washcloth, or gently massaging their gums a few minutes before latching may relieve pressure. If the baby tends to bite when milk flow is slow, breast compressions or expressing milk to initiate the let-down reflex may reduce impatience.
Immediate Steps When Bitten
If a bite occurs, the immediate reaction is important for safety and behavioral correction. The natural instinct is to pull the baby away, but yanking the baby off while their jaw is clamped can cause injury to the nipple. The safest way to break the latch is to slide a clean finger into the corner of the baby’s mouth, between the gums, to break the suction seal. The baby will then release the breast without causing further damage.
Immediately after unlatching, stop the session and calmly but firmly tell the baby “No biting” or a similar phrase. Placing the baby down for a very brief period reinforces that biting instantly ends the feeding. Consistency teaches the baby that nursing and biting are incompatible behaviors. A dramatic response may frighten the baby or encourage them to repeat the behavior for attention.
Teeth and the Continuation of Breastfeeding
The presence of teeth does not require a parent to stop breastfeeding, and this phase is manageable. The World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding for two years or beyond, and many parents successfully nurse a baby who has a full set of teeth. This stage is often temporary, and babies quickly learn that biting results in the loss of their meal.
If biting persists, causes tissue damage, or leads to emotional distress for the parent, seeking professional assistance is advised. A lactation consultant can observe the latch and help identify underlying causes, such as positioning changes that allow teeth to make contact. Addressing the issue with patience and consistent boundaries allows the nursing relationship to continue comfortably as the baby develops new skills.