My DS is now 7 months old. And we are still going strong with BF'ing. I didn't make it this far with my DD so there are still questions and new challenges for me.
My first thing is that my DS has gotten a tooth and he bites. Not all the time but enough that it annoys the heck out of me. It hurts so very bad. When he does it I simply take him of the boob and calmly tell him not to bite mommy. I know he has no idea what I am talking about but I figured he make the connection at some point. Is there a way to teach a baby so young not to bite?
Also I have a hard time getting him to sit still for a full feeding. He eats for a few minutes than pulls off to look around for a while. Eats for a few more minutes and than pulls off and sits up for a while than wants back on for a few more minutes. He'll even pull himself up on me and try climbing me. But than he just wants back on not too long later. It's funny at times but it's difficult especially if we are out somewhere and he is busy goofing around and not eating.
He still nurses every 2-3 hours as well. Is this normal?
Bumo because I have a 6 month old who does the same things & I would like to know
Biting... When he bites down, squish his little head into your boob. He'll have to open to breath... it hurts less taking him off this way. Tell him firmly "no.. that hurts mommy" He gets 3 tries (honestly, I only gave 2!!). The third time, take him off, and close up shop. You can do thisfor 2 minutes, or until next feeding, depending on how you feel about it. Ususally, wihtin a couple of feedings, they dont' want you to take them off the boob, so they stop.
Also, when in the feeding is he biting? Many babies bit towards the end, so it may help to try to figure out when he's bitting and if it seems to be near the end, take him off as he reaches that point.
And congrats on making it longer!!
For the biting, I would take Delilah off and in a firm voice tell her not to bite and then put her down off my lap. Eventually they will make the connection. Also, start looking for cues on when he might 'start' or 'get ready' to bite as well.
As far as not being still, welcome to the stage of 'booby snacks!!' My daughter went through that and it will last for a few months, the more mobile they get the worse it is! Lol! Once he is a little older you will be able to coax him into staying on the boob longer, by telling him things like 'if you don't nurse now we are done' or 'are you done?' and if he doesn't latch back on then put the boob away and off the lap. Those are things I did and eventually she figured it out.
Good Luck!
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on Feb. 9, 2010 at 11:14 PM