Does Teething Cause Babies To Stop Nursing?

Teething Patterns

• Parents often think their baby is teething weeks or months before any pearly whites peek through the gums. Most babies get their first tooth between 4 and 12 months of age, with an average age of 7.8 months, according to the Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford. The lower front teeth normally come in first, followed by the four upper front teeth. The molars come in last, usually after your child's second birthday.

Symptoms

• Babies start drooling months before their teeth pop through the gums, so an increase in saliva production isn't an accurate sign of teething. Just before teeth appear, you might notice that his cheeks redden. He might pull or tug at his ear or bite down on everything in sight. His gums may appear lumpy, red and swollen. He might run a mild fever of less than 101 degrees, although some doctors disagree on whether teething actually causes this. Ask your doctor before using over-the-counter gels; gels can numb your baby's mouth and the nipple, making nursing more difficult, according to La Leche League International. Don't give pain relievers to a baby under age 6 months without your pediatrician's approval.

Overcoming a Nursing Strike

• If your baby has a bunch of teeth coming in at once, or if one tooth seems to be causing him misery, he might refuse to nurse altogether. In this case, pumping and using an alternative feeding method, such as feeding with a syringe (without a needle) or giving him milk by cup can overcome temporary pain that lasts a day or two. Save bottle feeding as a last resort. Change your nursing position to see if that helps relieve pressure on his gums. Avoid your usual nursing spot; you don't want him to associate nursing there with pain, suggests certified breastfeeding educator Cheryl Taylor.

Biting Issues

• Instead of nursing, your baby might just want to bite down on the nipple or breast. Naturally, this isn't something you want, so try to ward it off by giving him a cold washcloth or chilled (but not frozen) teething ring to bite down on before you start nursing. If he's latched on well, he can't bite, so if you notice him shifting his tongue out of the way or altering his position, insert your finger into his mouth so he bites your finger and not your nipple.