Contents:
- Medical Video: Infant & Toddler Care : How to Teach Children Not to Bite
- Tips to prevent babies from biting during breastfeeding
- 1. Stay calm
- 2. Find the right position
- 3. Pay attention to the baby while breastfeeding
- 4. Breastfeeding in a dim place
- 5. Gently massage the gums and cheek area
Medical Video: Infant & Toddler Care : How to Teach Children Not to Bite
Although it feels annoying for mothers, there are many reasons why babies bite during breastfeeding. He may do this because he is teething or as a form of protest because he feels he lacks your attention. Hayo ... What do you usually do when you are breastfeeding? Play cellphones, chat with other people, or even steal a nap? The focus of the mother who is divided when breastfeeding is considered the baby does not pay attention to them.
In addition, the baby's habit of biting during breastfeeding may be because he is sleepy and eventually falls asleep or he is sick with flu or ear infection making it difficult for him to swallow. The wrong breastfeeding position can also make the baby bite his mother's nipples.
In order for a breastfeeding session to run smoothly for both mother and baby, consider the following tips to prevent and overcome biting babies during breastfeeding.
Tips to prevent babies from biting during breastfeeding
It is important not to reflexively scream even though you are shocked and in pain when your little one bit your nipples. This will actually surprise your baby, making him refuse to suckle again.
Instead, try applying the following options:
1. Stay calm
Try to stay calm while making eye contact with your little one. Use a soft tone and invite your child to talk so he knows you should not bite while breastfeeding, even though maybe he doesn't really understand what you mean.
You can also release the breast slowly out of the baby's mouth and justify its position again
2. Find the right position
In fact, the wrong position of breastfeeding is one of the triggers why babies bite during breastfeeding. For that, try to find a position like what makes your child most comfortable while breastfeeding.
Try resting your back on a thick pillow, then place the baby on your stomach to suckle. Alternatively, just lie on your side and position your body parallel to the baby. Then point the baby's head to the breast with your body slightly curled up.
3. Pay attention to the baby while breastfeeding
Paying attention to recognizing his habits while breastfeeding, will make it easier for you to know when it's possible for your little one to bite your nipples. Sometimes, the baby will bite when his hunger and thirst have subsided enough, but not infrequently also will bite at the end of the breastfeeding session.
If you begin to understand the habits, you can give a little "bait" to divert attention - for example by inserting one of your fingers in the direction of the baby suction.
4. Breastfeeding in a dim place
As previously explained, your child may bite the nipple during feeding because of stimuli from the surrounding environment that attract attention. If he does this many times, try occasionally getting him to breastfeed in a dim room with minimal lighting. The goal is to focus the baby while breastfeeding is not easily distracted by other things.
5. Gently massage the gums and cheek area
This method can be done while in teething. Usually, these moments often make babies uncomfortable and tend to be more fussy, sometimes even accompanied by fever.
Well, if this makes him bite your breast to express his pain, try massaging the gums and the cheek area with attention while breastfeeding. Alternatively, you can give toys to distract them a little before or after breastfeeding.
