Table of contents:
- The reason babies bite the nipple
- 1. Teething
- 2. Form infant protests
- 3. Invitation to joke and thank you
- How to prevent the baby from biting the nipple
- How to treat blisters on nipples
For mothers, the problem of baby biting the nipple is a common thing. Conditions like this are sometimes an annoying specter for mothers. Nipples that are injured, blistered, even bleeding must be restrained in order to provide the best nutrition for the baby. This struggling stage of breastfeeding often makes mothers give up breastfeeding when their babies are teething. Some mothers prefer to pump breast milk or replace it with formula milk.
The reason babies bite the nipple
1. Teething
The age at which teeth begin to grow is what is a struggle for a mother. Babies who start teething, their gums become swollen and sore. This time, babies also like to nibble around with anxiousness. Sometimes this teething also causes excessive salivation in the baby. Now, babies need something to reduce the aches and pains they face. The most common target for babies to have sore gums, is the mother's nipple.
ALSO READ: What Mothers Need To Know About Teething In Babies
2. Form infant protests
This reason is a form of protest by the baby because the mother does not give all her attention and affection when breastfeeding. In some habits, mothers may breastfeed while doing other things, such as using a cell phone, chatting with other people, or doing things the baby thinks they don't notice.
3. Invitation to joke and thank you
When finished breastfeeding, babies sometimes like to bite their mother's nipples while showing a smile or laughter at the end. This shows that he is showing gratitude to you for breastfeeding. After the baby is full, he also wants to invite his mother to joke. Because they cannot speak or express their wishes, the baby will eventually bite the nipple as a sign of encouragement.
ALSO READ: 8 Reasons Why Babies Pull Mother's Nipples When Breastfeeding
How to prevent the baby from biting the nipple
- Make sure your breastfeeding position with the baby is correct.
- Give your full attention during the breastfeeding process.
- If the nipple is bitten, show your reaction gently by pausing the breastfeeding process.
- Recognize how hungry your baby is.
- Place your nipple in the baby's mouth by inserting a finger to see if the baby will bite or not.
- Provide a pacifier, or something that can be nipped to prevent the baby from biting your nipple.
- Give kisses and hugs while whispering softly, "Don't bite, honey."
- Choose a comfortable and quiet place so that the baby does not get distracted.
How to treat blisters on nipples
- Keep the nipples and the area around the breasts clean
- Clean the wound before and after breastfeeding
- Not giving up breastfeeding, by stopping breastfeeding, the nipples will dry out and the wound will sting more
- Apply a small amount of breast milk to keep the nipples moist
- Apply lanonin ointment, making sure it is alcohol free and free of harmful substances for the baby to swallow
ALSO READ: How to massage breasts to smooth breast milk
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