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I cannot believe that Camille, my sweet little Millie, is going to be one in 5 days! It feels like time has flown by and she was born just last month, but there are constant reminders that she is becoming less and less of a baby every day!
Just last week, as I was helping Addie wash her hands in our second floor bathroom, Millie appeared on the tiled floor, smiling up at me from the door. …I’d left her downstairs in the living room. Check stair climbing off the list of milestones! As well as climbing on the bed! Admittedly, we bed share with our youngest as she is still nursing during the night, and knowing that she can safely manage the bed makes me feel at ease. All these physical achievements coming all at once has been rather overwhelming… things are just so different from one child to another!
With all of her walking and climbing, Millie’s also gotten a few new pearly whites for 6 total teeth and 2 more on their way. “Ouch!” (Can I get an amen from my other nursing mamas?!) I’ve used a few tactics to help me ease the biting during nursing I wanted to share with you!
- As soon as baby bites, unlatch by placing your finger between your nipple and their mouth. Many times, this is baby’s way of telling us they’re done feeding. Taking them off the breast immediately will ensure they won’t bite again to signal you a second time. Take a break, recover your breast and decide if your baby is done nursing or if they were just a bit excited and still need to feed.
- Startle. When baby bites, a quick, sharp (not loud, just concise) “no” will help them open their jaw. Think about when you’re shocked and you gasp- this same reaction with help baby unlatch and let them know that you didn’t like what they did.
- Distract baby with by clucking your tongue, tickling their feet or gently blowing in their face. This gives your baby a second to reconnect with you, and the choice to remain off the breast or continue feeding.
- Keep your cool. It can be hard, but try to remember your baby is learning from you and trusts you implicitly. When they bite, they are just exploring a new aspect of themselves and need your guidance to teach them right from wrong.
- Don’t give up. A biting baby does not necessarily mean they are weaning. Baby may just be teething or biting for the feeling. You hear that grinding in general? Babies are just odd creatures and are exploring. For us, sometimes Millie will be a bit of an “aggressive nurser” as she unwinds for the night and tries to sleep. It’s just a natural progression as she moves more and works to learn new soothing techniques. Do what is best for you, and your relationship will stay strong!
I love our nursing relationship and am hoping we don’t wean for another year, so I decided to make her a fabulous birthday gift from just me, to care for those little shark teeth! As I browsed the aisle at Walmart while Addie was at school, I saw Tom’s of Maine® Silly Strawberry® Anticavity Toothpaste- the kind we have been using for Addie for years, and knew right there, this was the perfect start to a birthday gift!
Millie loves brushing her teeth, and I know she will be overjoyed at her promotion to big kid toothpaste with her sister- and her dad and myself! We love Tom’s of Maine® Simply White® Clean Mint Cavity Protection Toothpaste- perfect for whitening up our own coffee-loving smiles and protecting our aging teeth! (Check out their mouthwash and deodorant, too- perfect if you’re looking for something without aluminum.)
On Millie’s birthday, the 19th, there will be a roaming demo happening in select neighborhood Walmart locations. This demo will feature select Tom’s products and they will be handing out samples and coupons. What better way to celebrate her big day!
I love finding a local brand that offers complete care for our whole family, and a love for the community; Tom’s of Maine® is truly based in Maine, 5% of employee time is spent volunteering, and their products do not contain artificial colors, flavors, fragrances, preservatives, animal ingredients or animal testing. Such peace of mind giving my family the best! What Tom’s of Maine® product do you love most for your family?
I’ve used their deodorant, but have never tried the toothpaste. I’m all for trying new ones!
Scott recently posted…Stop Kidding Yourself. Your Child Has Lice
I think you’ll love it! We’ve used it for years with great results!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Happy Birthday Baby Shark + tips for biting breastfeeders
I can’t wait to try this Tom’s I’ve never seen it before but heard great things.
Luckily I don’t have a biting breastfeeder. He has maybe 3x but that was when he first got his teeth. He’s now 2 and its going smooth. Great tips!
Jeanine recently posted…Cute and Easy Treat Baskets for Fall
Millie is the same way… I think it is just when she has a few teeth coming. But OW! lol.
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Happy Birthday Baby Shark + tips for biting breastfeeders
I really like Tom’s of Maine products. I received a sample once at a natural foods store and have been hooked every since.
<3 My hubby got me hooked on it a few years ago! I love the whitening and the fennel! So nice to find a toothpaste I WANT to use!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Happy Birthday Baby Shark + tips for biting breastfeeders
I remember those bites and they are NO fun at all! It hurts so badly! I think the pain of it startled me once and in turn startled my daughter so much she never bit again!
Liz Mays recently posted…‘Twas a Parisian Adventure – My Own Maze Runner #ScorchTrials
The startle truly does wonders!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Being Mighty
We like Tom’s of Maine also. I like the tips you have on biting.
Thanks!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Being Mighty
We love Tom’s of Maine! My girls all use the Strawberry toothpaste. And I can totally relate on the teething nursing babes… Lilah will be one in November and is working on her 3rd & 4th tooth. I’ve only been nipped a few times, but OUCH!
Danielle H recently posted…Happy 150th Birthday Carter’s! {Giveaways Galore}
OUCH! for sure!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Being Mighty
Oh yes, I remember those bites. I haven’t seen these products from Tom’s, yet. I will get the toothpaste for my little ones.
Mykidsguide recently posted…Best Shows on Netflix to Ease Your Pretty Little Liars Withdrawals
You will love them!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Being Mighty
i have heard only good things about Toms. i may have to try it. thanks for the share.
dawn recently posted…TAKIN TO THE STREETS OF SOFLA IN THE FAST & SPUNKY MAZDA6 I GRAND TOURING
Enjoy!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Being Mighty
These are good tips for nursing moms. I remember the first time my son bite me whilw nursing. I think we were both surprised. But a firm no and removal got the lesson across not to do that.
Onica (MommyFactor) recently posted…Sanaa Lathan & Michael Ealy Interview for The Perfect Guy Movie #ThePerfectGuy
Amen to the NO!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Being Mighty
My toddler LOVES that strawberry toothpaste! It is really good actually, lol.
Krystal recently posted…Travel Tips For Bloggers
It is! I’ve used it when I run out of mine!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Being Mighty
Aw, Happy Birthday! She’s beautiful 🙂 Great tips in this post!
Kristen from The Road to Domestication recently posted…From WHITE to BRIGHT…with Chairish!
Thank you!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Being Mighty
Ahh the biting. Yes I survived this with my two as well. We loved that banana brush, and still use our Toms. Congrats on a year of breastfeeding!! You’re doing a great job!
Emily recently posted…Comment on Las Vegas Rock N Roll Marathon Series Coupon Code | #StripAtNight #RockNBlog by krystal
Thank you! I love the relationship… even if she gets a little overzealous with her chompers.
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Being Mighty
I love everything about this post! My kids both celebrate birthdays in September, too – Hooray for an awesome birthday month! This looks like the perfect birthday gift for your little shark. With both my kids, they bit briefly, and once I redirected them and they figured out that their biting hurt me, they corrected it. I always tell moms to wait it out – the benefits of extended breastfeeding are certainly worth it! #client
Carrie @huppiemama recently posted…Family Fun in Key West
OMG YES! For sure! My sweet shark baby is learning <3
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Being Mighty
We use Tom’s! I avoid fluoride so we all use fluoride-free!
Amanda McMahon recently posted…A naturally great night sleep
YES! Love Tom’s for that option!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…Dear Camille, on your first birthday
I was fortunate that my son only bit me once. These tips will be valued by moms of biters ,for sure.
Tami recently posted…Let’s Get to Know Your {Literacy Musing Mondays} #Giveaway ends 10/02
Smart dude 😉
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…An Open Letter to Father-in-Laws to Daughters with no Father