Breastfeeding is supposed to be a mutually enjoyable relationship. But sometimes, baby bites the breast that feeds her.

I recently went through this challenge with my nursing toddler. For several weeks I almost feared nursing her, anticipating a bite. While I wasn’t considering weaning her as she wasn’t ready and enjoyed nursing very much, I was worried each time I sat down to nurse her.

I’m not new to breastfeeding. This baby is my 5th breastfed child. And I’ve dealt with biting before. In fact all of my babies have attempted it, once or twice. I even had another determined biter, my 2nd baby, who otherwise was the sweetest, most easygoing of my babies!

Biting can be a bit confusing. Why would baby want to hurt mom?

Here are a few things I’ve learned about biting and how to bring it to an end, once and for all.

Figure out WHY baby is biting

This requires some sleuthing on mom’s part. Biting can come around teething time, or not. Sometimes it’s just an experiment in cause and effect… baby bites simply because s/he has learned how to. Some moms think that biting mean they have low milk supply, but I don’t believe that is true. I’ve nursed a few toddlers through pregnancies when my milk was almost nonexistent, and biting was never an issue then. I think moms get this idea because biting almost always happens near the end of the nursing session when the milk is flowing more slowly.

With older babies and toddlers, biting may simply be a way of getting mom’s attention. This was definitely the case with my youngest child. Too often, I was doing other things while nursing – multi tasking, if you will. And she missed my attention and let me know in no uncertain terms that she would have it!

Once I figured this out, I started looking her in the eyes more, rocking and talking to her while we nursed. I don’t have to do this every single time, and truly I might get antsy if I didn’t read an occasional book or email while nursing! However, I found that as long as I spent a couple of minutes focusing on her at the beginning of a nursing, she would be happy and not attempt to bite.

An advantage of paying close attention to baby while s/he nurses is that you can see a bite before it happens! My son, mentioned earlier, would literally get a twinkle in his eye right before he clamped down. My daughter would raise an eyebrow teasingly like Scarlett O’Hara before biting, almost as a challenge to me. I learned to look for that expression, and end the nursing session before baby made a chew toy out of me.

Some older babies are “done” nursing but don’t know how to nicely end the nursing session. As younger babies they often fell asleep and pulled away from the nipple, but they don’t do that much anymore. Consequently, they bite because they’re bored. If you suspect this, then be proactive and stop when you sense baby isn’t actively nursing (meaning sucking and swallowing).

And truly, a baby can’t bite if they’re actively nursing, because they would bite through their tongue. If baby is just “messing around” at the breast, end the nursing promptly. Be ready with a finger to slip into baby’s mouth to break the suction and protect sensitive breast tissue.

Don’t allow biting… but don’t overreact either

It’s only natural to jump or cry out if you’re bitten, especially if it’s the first time. Don’t let this happen often. Some babies enjoy the “show” and bite just to see your reaction. Other more sensitive babies may be so shocked and hurt (if their bite was accidental) at your display of emotion that they refuse to nurse for awhile. This is referred to as a “nursing strike” – which is no fun for mom or baby.

This doesn’t mean you should allow biting either. At the breast, your baby is learning about healthy relationships. As a newborn, when baby latched on incorrectly, causing you discomfort, you lovingly removed him from your nipple. In doing so, you were teaching him healthy boundaries and discipline. You knew it was best for both of you for him to be latched on properly, and you were unapologetic about repositioning him.

Now that your baby is older, don’t allow him to hurt you. If he bites once, tell him firmly “Ouch. Biting HURTS. Please be gentle.” And END THE FEEDING immediately. You don’t have to do so in a harsh way, but it’s ok to be firm with a toddler or a determined biter. You could also offer a teething toy or food that’s appropriate for his age, and tell baby it’s ok to bite THIS.

The only thing that ended biting with my son was this: I immediately removed him from the breast when he bit me. I sat him on the floor, and left the room for a moment or two. Essentially a “mommy time out”. I only had to do this a few times, and he got the message! He stopped biting, and I nursed him for a long time afterwards.

How have you handled biting? Any tips to share with other moms? Leave them in the comments below.

If you’ve ever breastfed your baby, then you know that there can be issues that arise. One of those issues is mastitis. It can be painful and alter your breastfeeding experience with your child. But, there are ways to treat it naturally without stopping nursing.

Mastitis is an often painful condition where the milk ducts in the breast are clogged. The ensuing infection can leave a mother with flu-like symptoms and feeling too tired to continue breastfeeding. While the condition is distressing, the milk is still okay for baby even with this infection.

When it comes to treatment options, reach for your grandmother’s advice. Before it became common to treat this condition with medications, more natural remedies were used to give the mother comfort.

A doctor may want to prescribe antibiotics, but in light of the fact that you are nursing, it should be a last resort. Antibiotics are not necessary to heal mastitis. Here are some natural treatments to try:

* Breastfeed more often – Continuing to nurse often can help the infection run its course faster. It is not pleasant for you but encourage your baby to latch on as much as they can to help unclog the ducts. Even if they don’t want to drink a lot in the beginning, use a breast pump to empty the breast a bit more after each feeding.

* Heat– Heating pads may burn, but you can take a warm shower as hot as you can stand. Massage the breast tissue at the same time. The warm water can assist in removing clogs from your milk ducts.

* Try cold compresses – These are not your normal cold compresses either. Use a cold head of cabbage. Many women have found this remedy to work for them. After the cabbage is sufficiently chilled, remove a leaf and cover the affected breast. This technique can soften the tissue and bring pain relief. For engorgement, you can try putting a little camphor on the leaf before applying to help with pain relief and release the milk easier.

* Garlic – Garlic, along with other vegetables in the allium family, contain antibiotic properties. Instead of a prescription remedy, eating garlic can help to clear up the infection in your breast. The milk may have a slightly different taste to your baby for a little while, but you will feel better and the garlic won’t hurt them. In fact baby may nurse with more gusto when enjoying garlicky milk!

Check with your doctor before using natural remedies to be sure they don’t interfere with any other medications you are taking or will harm baby. You can find relief, continue bonding with baby and avoid traditional treatments by using natural remedies to treat mastitis.

Your baby is finally here and you have decided to nurse. Somewhere in the midst of this bonding experience, you feel pain or discomfort in your breasts. It could be the beginning of a condition called mastitis.

What Is Mastitis?

Mastitis is a condition of the milk ducts in the breast. They can become inflamed and painful during breastfeeding. This infection is bothersome and has caused some women to stop breastfeeding their infants, which isn’t necessary to heal the mastitis.

During breastfeeding, bacteria can enter the nipples through cracked skin. The milk ducts become infected leading to pain, swelling, fever, chills and other symptoms associated with an infection. This makes it hard to breastfeed, not only due to the pain but also the tiredness from fighting the infection.

What You Can Do

It may feel like the end of the world, but it is not. You can actually continue to breastfeed with mastitis. In fact, keeping the flow of milk going can be a treatment for the infection in itself. Some women find that it clears up once they continue. The milk may have a slightly different taste to your baby but it is not harmful to them in any way.

Mastitis is often associated with engorgement. This is a common condition when the breast fills up with milk and turns hard and painful. Babies that can’t keep ahead of the milk production or only feeding on one side can lead to engorgement.

Watch how baby latches on to the breast. Make sure that they have a good seal and are sucking well. It can be hard if the breast is engorged, but feeding empties the breast of milk and you can get some relief.

Risk Factors

Some women are more likely to experience mastitis than others. Here are some of the risks that may be putting you in line for it.

Tight clothing – This mainly refers to bras. Even if you are wearing a nursing bra, open the flaps to let the nipples dry after feeding. If you use breast pads to catch dripping, clean the milk from around the breast often. Breast pads can get stuck to the nipples when the milk dries and irritate them when they are removed.

Cracked nipples – Having a baby latch on to dry nipples is not pleasant. Keep the nipple area free from milk when baby is not feeding. Also keep them massaged and moisturized. It could also be a sign that baby is not latching on properly. Check with your lactation nurse for more information.

Infrequent feeding – Even if baby hasn’t developed their appetite yet, the milk will keep flowing. When baby feeds on only one side, use a breast pump to empty the other. At the next feeding, begin with that breast.

Mastitis is painful but not harmful to your baby. And, there are ways that you can lower your risk of developing it.

But, if going to the gym sounds as exciting as going to the dentist, this news may come with mixed feelings. Now you don’t have an excuse for not exercising!

Whatever your feelings are, there are some guidelines to follow when you do start exercising:

Breastfeeding and Exercise: Tips

- You may find it more comfortable to nurse before you hit the gym. Engorgement is painful, especially if you’re running or taking a step class.

- Make sure you have a supportive, properly fitted running bra. This will help prevent issues with mastitis or plugged ducts.

Such as:
La Leche League High Impact Softcup Nursing sports bra

La Leche League Low Impact Softcup Nursing sports bra

- Drink plenty of water and don’t overdo it.

- If your baby gives you the cold shoulder when you return from the gym, he may just be reacting to your sweat. (Can you blame him?) Rinse off and he should nurse just fine.

* Always consult with your health care provider before starting an exercise routine.

Book Recommendation:

Eat Well, Lose Weight, While Breastfeeding: The Complete Nutrition Book for Nursing Mothers

Breastmilk is a hundred times better than chicken noodle soup for a sick little one. It contains antibodies created specifically to fight the baby’s illness and is easily digested by even the fussiest tummies.

If your baby is congested, keep her as upright as possible when nursing. Wearing her in a sling or baby carrier and nursing in a semi upright position may help her manage breathing and nursing.

Breastmilk is not a “dairy product”. You may have been advised by your baby’s doctor to keep him or her away from dairy, but breastmilk is just fine, in fact it’s just what baby needs to help her heal.

Nurse often and drop some saline drops or drops of breastmilk into her stuffy nostrils. Nursing in a steamy bathroom may help clear her nose. Unlike cow’s milk, breastmilk does not increase mucus production.

If your baby refuses to eat, offer him expressed milk in a cup or in a spoon. You can even make “momsicles” by freezing your breastmilk until it’s slushy and letting baby eat it with a spoon (like a sno-cone!).

If your little one has diarrhea or vomiting, keep nursing. Sick children need more frequent feedings to prevent dehydration and hasten recovery. Even if the milk seems to come up quickly after it goes down, likely some of it is already digested, giving baby much needed nutrition.

Nursing also provides baby with the comfort s/he is used to, helping him heal quickly and keeping him as comfortable as possible during the illness.

Always talk to your baby’s pediatrician when you notice signs of infection or illness. But, in nearly every case, the best thing to do is breastfeed the days away and take time to really nurture your baby. And rest assured that your milk is better than any packaged remedy.

Breastfeeding, in almost all cases, should continue when mom is sick.

Most illness in mom is caused by a virus, which are typically most contagious before mom even knows she’s sick. That means baby has already been exposed. Most of the time, sudden weaning causes more problems than it solves – both for baby’s physical and emotional well being.

When you’re sick, all you want to do is lie in bed and watch movies or read a book. But, you’ve got a baby to feed. Unlike formula-feeding moms, you can resume lying in bed while nourishing your child. So think about that whenever you complain about nursing a baby: at least you don’t have to get up.

The best thing you can do when you’re sick with a cold, flu or another common illness is to continue nursing your child.

Breastmilk contains antibodies that are specific to your illness.

If you have the flu for example, your milk will protect your baby against the flu or at least lessen the severity of it. How cool is that?! Often, the nursing baby in the house doesn’t get sick at all, especially if the baby is still exclusively breastfed and not eating solid foods yet.

It is very rare that you’ll have to discontinue breastfeeding because of an illness.

As always, consult with a breastfeeding supportive health care provider about your specific condition. For some serious illnesses, you may be advised to give your child expressed breastmilk for a short time because you are taking medication incompatible with nursing – or you’ll have to nurse on a particular schedule so that the baby is eating when the drug isn’t present in your milk.

But, in the vast majority of instances, you can breastfeed just fine.

Here is a link to an article published by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) on the topic: Can I Breastfeed With Swine Flu (H1N1)?

In a nutshell, the article discourages weaning even in the case of mom being sick with swine flu. It suggests mom pump her milk and have someone else feed baby, so that baby can continue to receive antibodies she has produced.

Review: Traditional Medicinal’s Organic Mother’s Milk

I received a box of Traditional Medicinal’s Organic Mother’s Milk when I first started to breastfeed and found that I truly enjoyed it right from the start. I prefer this over Yogi’s Nursing Mother’s tea as this one tastes lighter and smoother. Mother’s Milk is a caffeine-free, all organic blend of herbs and spices designed to promote lactation in breastfeeding mothers.

Traditional Medicinals Mother’s Milk, 16-Count Boxes

Anise is a spice that I have never enjoyed. The fact that Mother’s Milk seems to use less of it than Yogi’s nursing tea is a plus for me. What I taste when I drink Mother’s Milk is a sort of sweet, yet a little spicy blend of herbs. It tastes best with a touch of honey. It also contains the herbs of fennel, fenugreek seed and coriander, which are a nice combination for a healthy milk supply. The blend of spices smells delicious too.

The way I prefer to drink this tea is cold. I brew a pot of this overnight, chill and drink cold throughout the day. Since there is a tiny hint of spearmint in it, it can be refreshing. This way I am getting in several cups on a daily basis. During the winter months, a warm cup can be soothing for the body.

My milk production has been steady and plentiful throughout the years, perhaps due to drinking this tea. This is also one of my favorite gifts to give a pregnant mother who has planned to breastfeed or still deciding to do so. Having a low milk supply is worrisome for many women and having this tea helps reduce that worry. A box of 16 bags costs around $5.

See also: Yogi Women’s Nursing Support Tea review

Road Trip With a Breastfed Baby:

If your baby or toddler is already eating solids, this can be an option for feeding him on the road. However, if he only drinks milk, you might want to pump milk ahead of time into bottles to feed him along the way. If you are the passenger, you can even pump into a bottle and feed him during the drive, if need be. Some babies do not take bottles at all and only drink from the breast. In this case, you’ll want to schedule in regular meals and snacks for your child by visiting rest stops to nurse him. Do not remove the baby from his car seat as you travel on the road, as this is both illegal and potentially dangerous.

Breastfeeding On An Airplane:

While it may be frowned upon by some people, it is perfectly legal to breastfeed your baby in public, and this includes during a flight. As a breastfeeding mother, you even have an advantage over those who use bottles, due to the strict liquid regulations. While bottles of formula and milk are now allowed onto planes, the milk in your breasts are not subject to search and are quite portable, making traveling easier for you. One tip you’ll want to try is breastfeeding your baby during takeoff and landing. This can reduce his fears of flying and reduces the chance of his ears popping, which can feel painful for a baby. While many people aren’t thrilled about having a baby near them in flight, breastfed babies typically make wonderful flying companions!

Taking along a baby sling can be a huge help when traveling with a baby, especially when going through busy airports. You can even nurse discreetly in the sling and noone will be the wiser. The sling also helps to comfort baby and reduce fussiness, as well as helping him nap when he’s tired.

Bottle Feeding

Breastfeeding while traveling and doing activities is certainly different than feeding at home. For many breastfeeding mothers, bottle feeding is a new concept. If you do plan on bottle-feeding your pumped milk on outings, be sure you have a cooler that can keep milk fresh as you are traveling and be sure to abide by the guidelines of how long milk should be kept. If you are planning on being away from the baby for a period of time, such as a day at the spa, then be sure to pump ahead of time for baby as well. This can also be an adjustment for baby as well and should be introduced to him days before your departure.

Taking care of yourself

Although vacation is designed to be fun, it can also be physically and mentally exhausting. There is a lot of moving around from place to place that occurs, as well as eating at new places and experiencing new things. It is also possible you will be nursing on a different schedule, which can be uncomfortable for you. To counteract this, be sure you are getting plenty of rest, fluids and nutrition. If you are breastfeeding at odd hours or less than usual, you might need to carry along a small pump with you (or pump by hand) to release some milk and give you some comfort. Take along breastfeeding items you may need, such as breast pads, lanolin or hot packs if your breast get sore. Vitamin B6 can also assist in tenderness. Vacations are a common time for moms to experience plugged ducts or mastitis. Baby is distracted and you may be nursing less. Be sure to take care of yourself so your vacation is relaxing.

Be Careful What You Wish For

If you’re like me, you know all the benefits of breastfeeding a toddler—the emotional attachment, the positive health aspects, the reduced risk of allergies, etc. You and your talking nursling may be an anomaly in society, but you don’t care. You know what you’re doing is right.

But still, there are days when you just can’t wait for your child to be weaned.

You know, those days. The days when your child is teething and wants to nurse around the clock. The days when your baby will sleep only when you nurse him to bed. Days when people nag you about breastfeeding a kid (who’s far from a baby).

But will weaning solve your problems?

Breastfeeding feels good—for you and your child. It’s a time to bond and relax. Think of how easy it is to calm a cranky toddler through nursing. Think about how cute your child is when she nurses then stops to give you a big grin.

photo credit: diluvi

Once breastfeeding is done, it’s pretty much done. Weaning is bittersweet.

So before you long for the supposed care-free days of being weaned, take a moment and enjoy the ride.

Your child will grow up soon enough and you’re be longingly looking back on the days when your baby would sit still in your lap, nurse and give you that calming feeling.

Enjoy it while it lasts.

Good question. Babies go through stages and sometimes you may think your little one is ready to stop nursing. One of these issues is called a nursing strike.

For instance:

You have a 9 month old baby who hasn’t shown any interest in nursing for the past few days. Is your baby already trying to wean himself? Before you consider yourself lucky (or unlucky, depending on how you view the situation), take a moment and examine the situation:

Is your baby really initiating the weaning process? Or is he going through something else—say, a nursing strike?

It’s not uncommon for a mom to proclaim that her 10 month old baby weaned herself with no outside help; however, it’s rare for a baby under 18 to 24 months to truly self-wean.

If your child is under a year old and hasn’t shown much interest in solid food or drinking from a cup but has stopped breastfeeding, he’s probably on a nursing strike. Nursing strikes are a way for your baby to tell you something’s wrong.

S/he may have mouth pain from teething, an ear infection, a sore throat, is for some reason too distracted to nurse, have a stuffy nose that makes breastfeeding difficult, feel ignored, or is reacting to a food sensitivity from your diet.

If you want breastfeeding to continue, minimize any distractions and keep offering the breast. Express milk and give it to your baby via a spoon or cup, not a bottle. You’ll know your baby is getting enough to eat when your baby has 6 to 8 wet cloth diapers (or 5 to 6 wet disposable diapers) a day. Nursing strikes last an average of 2 to 4 days.