Irritated gums cause babies bite and chew to find relief. Unfortunately, the item between their gums can be your nipple. Repeated biting leaves nipples sore and irritated, and that pain can affect both you and your baby's enjoyment of this powerful bonding ritual. The first step to healing your sore nipples is to discourage your baby from biting down on them. The second is to care for your nipples properly to ease pain and speed healing.
Step 1
Give your baby teething rings to chew on throughout the day. Massage his gums gently, using your fingertips, before feeding time. Doing so may satisfy his urge to mouth, bite and gum objects long enough to feed without biting.
Step 2
Watch your baby as he feeds, paying special attention to the loss of suction, or latch, that occurs right before he bites down. Slip your finger into the side of his mouth, where he doesn't have any teeth, and use it to block his gums from clamping closed.
Step 3
Pump your milk after feeding to prevent pain from engorgement. Pumping after feeding also helps keep your milk supply strong so that your baby has no difficulty getting milk.
Step 4
Apply a warm compress to your breasts after feeding or pumping to soothe the tender areas.
Step 5
Apply breast milk to the sore, bitten areas and allow to dry. Breast milk has natural healing and antibacterial qualities, according to La Leche League International.
Step 6
Wear soft cotton clothing that doesn't restrict or rub against your breasts while they're healing.
Step 7
Offer your baby the less-injured nipple for the majority of the day's feedings to give the sore nipple a chance to heal.
Step 8
Talk to your doctor about creams that may soothe pain and heal wounds without harming your baby, if the pain persists or becomes unbearable.
Tips and Warnings
- Test out other latch positions to see if you can find one that allows you to nurse more comfortably.
Things You'll Need
- Teething rings
- Teething medication
- Warm compress
References
- Parenting: What Can I Do About My Teething Baby Biting Me During Breastfeeding?
- BabyCenter: Will My Baby's Teething Interfere with Breastfeeding?; Jan Barger
- AskDrSears.com: How Much Does Teething Bother Baby?
- La Leche League International: Nipple Pain Causes, Treatments and Remedies; Jahaan Martin; February 2000
- Women'sHealth.gov: Breastfeeding; August 2010
