Tips to stop your baby biting your nipples during breastfeeding  

From teething to milk flow, there are lots of reasons why your baby might be nipple biting. Take a look.

‘Of all the things I was expecting from parenting, nipple biting wasn’t something I’d expected! It happens when you least expect it. Those little teeth can really make themselves known!’ (Logan’s mum)

While some babies are born with their first little teeth already on show, others won’t cut theirs until after their first birthday – every baby is different. That said, most babies start teething at around 6 months old¹. 

As their little teeth start coming through, your baby might chew toys and other objects (your nipples included) to soothe their sore gums. If you’re breastfeeding, this can lead to nipple bites².

Some breastfeeding mums move on to formula when their baby starts teething to avoid nipple biting, but there’s no reason to stop. With the right support, you should be able to keep breastfeeding when your baby starts teething¹ - you just need to find out how to stop your baby biting your nipples.

Our expert midwife has a great top tip: ‘Why not try freezing some if your breast milk in ice lolly moulds? This can ease your baby’s gums and provide them with breast milk at the same time.’

When your baby is attached securely to your breast, their tongue should cover their bottom gums and prevent them from biting your nipple. But as new teeth come through, they might have to adjust how they latch, which could lead to more nipple biting while they find their bearings again².

Your baby might also bite your nipple if they’re not in a comfortable position and they feel like they need to grip more tightly to get the milk that they need³.

If your baby is particularly hungry, they might try a few techniques to make your milk flow more quickly, like wriggling, bouncing their head, and even nipple biting³. You might notice your baby trying this more towards the end of a feed if your milk flow slows down or stops, and your little one isn’t quite finished³.

Our expert midwife also says to look out for your baby ‘tapping’ at your breast: ‘some babies tap at the breast when feeding, which helps to stimulate more milk production. This might be your baby’s way of getting more milk and helps to avoid the frustration-related nipple-Bite!’ 

If you’ve ever had a cold, you’ll know how frustrating it can be to eat and breathe with a blocked nose. If your baby’s not feeling well, they could have the same problem.

If your baby has had a cold or stuffy nose, they might struggle to latch on for a good feed and breathe through their nose at the same time. If that’s the case, they might bite down to try to attach more securely. They might even do so out of frustration³.

Whether you’re bottle feeding, breastfeeding, or a combination of both, sitting down to feed your baby can be a special time to bond.

If your attention is elsewhere while breastfeeding, such as concentrating on your phone or chatting to a friend, it’s possible that your little one is looking for a bit more one-on-one time, especially as they get older³.

Your baby is constantly taking in their surroundings and learning about the world around them. For the first few months, they might be able to tune out everything else while feeding. But as they get older and more alert to what’s going on, they might turn to look at other sights and sounds and catch you with their surprisingly sharp baby teeth!³.

If you’re combination feeding and your baby has been used to a bottle, or even sucks on a dummy, they might enjoy biting down on the rubber teats – especially if they’re teething. They may try the same action on the real thing, resulting in a nipple bite³.

If you find your baby is biting your nipple while breastfeeding, try our tips on how to prevent biting or stop it when it does happen.  

If you think your baby is biting because of teething pain, try giving them something to chew on before a feed. This could be a teething ring cooled in the fridge to help soothe sore gums⁴.

When your baby’s latched on properly, their cheeks should look round and full as they feed and you should be able to see more of your areola (the darker area around your nipple) above their top lip than below their bottom lip⁵.

If your baby is biting your nipple and you think it’s because they’re not able to latch, try a different breastfeeding position. Remember that your midwife and health visitor are there to help if you need support⁶.

Your milk supply varies depending on your baby’s needs⁶. If you think your baby could be biting because they’re particularly hungry or your milk’s flowing more slowly, you could try breastfeeding more often. 

Responsive feeding – breastfeeding as often and for as long as your baby needs – is a good way of building up your milk supply and making sure your baby is getting as much milk as they need⁶.

If you think your baby could be getting distracted during breastfeeding or craving more attention, try feeding somewhere calm and quiet where you and your little one can enjoy some one-on-one bonding time without being interrupted. 

Paying close attention to your baby during a feed can also help you notice any telltale signs that they’re about to bite so that you can take a break if you need to². 

The simple answer is no. Your baby could be biting your nipple for lots of reasons, and it doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re ready to move on to solid foods or stop breastfeeding².

You can start introducing solid foods from when your baby is 6 months old⁷. The World Health Organisation recommends exclusively breastfeeding until then and continuing to breastfeed as a supplement to solid food until they reach at least 2 years old⁸.

By finding a position that works for you and your baby, you should be able to continue breastfeeding when teething if that’s right for you. If your baby biting your nipple is becoming too painful, try our tips above or speak to your midwife or health visitor for advice.