Babies get teeth. It's a fact. But it doesn't mean once the teeth poke through your breastfeeding relationship has to end. You can continue to give your baby the milk that is best for them and do what is best for you!
I breastfed my oldest until he was 2.5. That may be longer than most mothers would want to nurse their children, but we had a special situation. My husband was deployed and it was a comfort thing more than a food thing for him. Daddy was gone, he didn't know why and after he turned one, it was just a nap/bedtime thing. He even used to say, "I go ni-ni nurse?"
People even asked me, "Well, since he can ask for it, don't you think he's too old?"
I would respond, "He can also ask for a hug now. Should I stop hugging him?"
That would make them be quiet. But yes, a 2.5 year old has teeth. My 8 month old has two bottom teeth and is getting FOUR top teeth...all at the same time. And he bites. Do I plan to stop nursing? Heck no.
So how do you handle a biter? Well, I've found the best way to do it is to tap them on the nose and firmly say, "NO!" Let them nurse again and if they bite again, take them off of the breast. If they're hungry enough, they'll learn this is not a game and stop biting. After about 30 seconds, put the baby back to the breast. If they bite again, tap the nose and say "No". If they bite one more time, take them off of the breast and put them in the crib to let them know you're business.
The baby will learn soon enough that biting = no nursing and they will quit soon enough. It may take a few times but they will learn. Just because your child gets teeth doesn't mean they should stop benefiting from breastfeeding. The longer you breastfeed the more you benefit as well.
Don't sell your child and yourself short because of a little pain. It is worth it. No one said doing what's best for your child is easy. But it is worth it.
No comments:
Post a Comment