It's so common for babies around this age, with teeth coming in, to
bite or chew on the breast.  Some of them are so skillful that they
can slip a bite (or several) in among their proper nursing sucks.
 From what you describe, I wouldn't rule out the possibility that this
is just normal teething behavior.

I'd certainly try the regular techniques for dicouraging biting.
Heck, if there is a deeper problem here than simple teething, those
techniques might still work to alter the baby's behavior.

Margaret
mother of a 20+ lb 8 month old who is remarkably talented at biting
me while nursing

>Hello to All.
>
>I am an RN and IBCLC recently contacted by a mother for assistance with her
>9-mo-old, who is "biting" mom's breast with swallowing.  It is not a
>purposeful biting, but rather, one that occurs when baby closes down her
>mouth in order to swallow.  Hx of Erb's Palsy; unremarkable delivery.
>Moderate "underbite" noted, but mom states that an older brother had the
>same and yet had no problems with nursing.  No problems with excessive
>pressure before teeth came in.  Her daughter currently weighs 23 lbs.  An
>asymmetrical latch has helped only slightly.  Not really knowing what else
>to do, we tried a nipple shield which, of course, baby did not accept
>readily.  An esteemed colleague recommended looking into some kind of device
>to cover the top teeth to enable mom to continue nursing her daughter.  It
>is my hope that someone has encountered such a case and may have other
>suggestions.  Thank you in advance.
>
>Gunda Simpkins, MSN, RNC, IBCLC
>Southern NJ

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