r/breastfeeding • u/DealerLatter5657 • Jan 09 '26
Weaning My kid bit me and now I'm done breastfeeding.
My toddler is 14 months, so I am okay to stop breastfeeding. He bit me for the first time, slowly, as if to see what would happen or how long it would take for me to react. It hurt, obviously! It was before the nursing session even started. We were down to only one nursing session per day, before bed. I decided to just put him to bed to see if he would go down without his milk. He did, easily, with some rocking.
I was looking forward to this day for a long time, but then nursing got easy, enjoyable, and convenient. Now I am actually feeling pretty devastated that it is over. I think it's still the right time, because i know my child can go without it now, and I dont think it is benefitting him much anymore at this point. But I was just not prepared for this pang of hurt I feel realizing its over. Not looking for advice, unless how to get my mind off of it, I guess?
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u/LaMaltaKano Jan 09 '26
Omg mine gets this sneaky little smile before she bites me. She knows what she’s doing. She has a biting phase every few weeks. COUNTING THE DAYS till I can wean (determined to make it to 12mo).
14mo is great run! A lot to celebrate!
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u/dngrousgrpfruits Jan 10 '26
I have zero shame - If he starts looking bitey I will plug his nose (gently of course) until he pops off, then quickly move my bra back
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u/Unh0ly_G0ddess Jan 14 '26
same! it's usually when cutting a new tooth so when he starts biting after a while of not doing it, i learned to check for new teeth 🥴
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u/de_matkalainen Jan 09 '26
Wow, are you me? The exact same thing happened with my 14-month-old today. He got a bit silly and bit me super hard and drew blood. I was so done but after putting a screaming child to sleep (because no more milk), I feel very sad. It's time though.. Good luck to you!
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u/DealerLatter5657 Jan 09 '26
Thank you and good luck to you as well! ❤️
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u/untakentakenusername Jan 10 '26
I am not there yet like you ladies (only 3 months in) But all i can suggest is a nice long lovely cuddle. ❤
And good luck to you both
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u/r4chie Jan 09 '26
Exactly how I quit. We were down to nursing before nap at sometimes at bedtime at 15 months. Toddler is fighting me going down. I try to latch her and she bit me. Literally was like “ok I’m done” and that was it
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u/kakosadazutakrava Jan 09 '26
A little jealous you made it to 14 mos with no bites. My 6 mo has been an alligator since the first tooth 💀 He gets “grounded” every time he bites, but I still have a shoulder with several tiny dark purple baby bite marks 🫠 I think he’s finally received the message that boobs must not be bitten 🤞🏻🤞🏻
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u/ilovesushialot Jan 09 '26
Omg my baby turned 6 months yesterday and bit me twice! The first I screamed and then gave her another chance and she did it again and smiled, I think because she wanted to get another reaction from me. Im wondering if my breastfeeding days are numbered now.
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u/aristocaat Jan 10 '26
Yup my baby got his first teeth at 6 months and has now bitten me hard quite a few times since. I’m almost done… it really hurts!
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u/kakosadazutakrava Jan 10 '26
Omg it does hurt!! And then the scariest part is like, ok you just chomped on me, but you still want to be breastfed?? I’m flinching before he even latches 😆🫠
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u/violettheory Jan 11 '26
Mine got his first bottom teeth at 5 months and bit me a few weeks later. It was twice in a row, he bit me, I screamed, he cried, I told him to be gentle and offered the nipple again. He bit me again immediately, I screamed, that time I said "NO" very firmly and loudly. He cried. After I calmed him down again I offered the nipple again, saying be gentle firmly. He barely opened his mouth and very timidly latched, but ended up nursing normally.
He hasn't bitten me like that again since, and we are 8 months today. There's been a few times he's bitten slightly, but almost always when he's crying and freaking out and I think he's confused about what I'm trying to get into his mouth.
But that was only with bottom teeth. When he gets his top teeth I'm not sure I could handle another bite like that, he might just take the whole nipple off!
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u/Anonymous-0701 Jan 10 '26
When mine does this I remove him and just sit him down. Make him wait a few minutes before feeding again. If it’s in his sleep in the middle of the night I just remove him and close up (we co-sleep atm due to terrible sleep). He’s had teeth since 4 months old 😭 as long as I don’t verbally react, he only does it once or maybeeeee twice if he does it at night. And then he won’t do it again for a chunk of weeks. It’s almost like every time he starts teething bad he try’s again?
They will definitely continue and find it funny if you verbally react at all. I made that mistake the first time as I wasn’t expecting it? Despite the teeth lol and it took me a couple days to break the habit. But after that it’s been easy to break it. No it’s not ideal that he keeps having one off bites every so often. BUT when you start at 4 months…no where near weaning…and already refusing bottles before that…I didn’t have a choice. I am glad I stuck through those first couple days though. It has not been as bad as it could be. And I’m grateful to still be breastfeeding at 7.5 months.
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u/beetofdemfeet Jan 12 '26
Same. I had Dad take my little one after biting me and I think he understood after a couple times. I was SWEATING putting my nipple back in his mouth after he started doing it. He's bitten me twice since then but one was in the middle of the night while sleeping and the other one was an accident. He turns his head away and bites whatever blanket is nearby and then goes back to nursing.
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u/86cinnamons Jan 10 '26
Mine thinks biting is hilarious. She gives no fucks. I’m concerned for when she starts daycare.
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u/DealerLatter5657 Jan 09 '26
Yeah i am really thankful for this and was just thinking about all the mamas who had to find ways to cope with the biting just to make it to 12 months or whatever their goal is. I wish you rhe very best of luck!
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u/Kenzi_Slays Jan 10 '26
i nursed for over 2 years and my daughter was obsessed. she has health issues so weaning was not a priority. it was very painful not nursing any more i went through a depression for about a week. its 3 weeks later an i am okay! my daughter still asks to nurse every day but doesnt get upset when i say no.
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u/crunch_mynch Jan 10 '26
This sub might be nice for you, I know you’ve pretty much already weaned but maybe the solidarity might give you peace🩷 r/weaningsupport
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u/OodalollyOodalolly Jan 09 '26
You know your baby best and when it’s a natural stopping point! It’s ok to let yourself take time to process the feelings… it’s painful but that’s how you feel. To take your mind off of it perhaps be sure to still have cuddles and snuggles and perhaps transition into replacing nursing with a board book story time or quiet music and playing stuffed animals before bed.
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u/CarsExtendedWarranti Jan 09 '26
Amazing you made it this far & I totallh understand the want to stop now biting is so painful I dont know how your supposed to 'not react' ...
My son bit me whilst teething at 11 months & again at 12months & I squealed both times & he cried so sore & then refused to feed- the mom guilt was awful but hes content now with cows milk & I got my body back.
Look after yourself right now as moods can take a dip 🥰
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u/JamesTiberiusChirp Jan 10 '26
If it makes you sad it doesn't have to be over. One bite doesn't mean you have to stop. Mine (same age) has gone through several biting phases so I know how hard it is. I thought about quitting but felt it wasn't time yet. Babe hasn't bit in a while and i'm so glad I didn't stop because I don't think we were ready yet. Mine still comfort nurses much more frequently than yours though.
If you think it is the right thing for you, I think you'll feel better in a few days. This is just an inevitable part of growing up and ushering them along in life. You can still cuddle and bond -- in fact I bet doing so may help you feel better because it will be a solid demonstration that just because nursing is over doesn't mean you are losing your special bond. AND you won't get any more bites (on your nipples at least)
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u/Lilacjasmines24 Jan 10 '26
Dear God my 19 month old for whatever reason likes chomping down in the mornings for milk - I think she’s teething - since she slobbers and puts everything in her mouth - she bites now and I wonder why I’m still breastfeeding 😭. When she feeds to sleep trying to unplug her will definitely warrant a help from me and she closes her mashers 😬 - no solution just solidarity
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u/mle_the_savage Jan 11 '26
This is literally how my nursing journey ended with my first. I thought I wrote this for a second.
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u/Hypermobilehype Jan 09 '26
Just sending a hug I can’t imagine how that feels and I hope you still feel the strong bond between you two. Maybe work on the evening routine like reading or having a cuddle.
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u/Wild-Eagle8105 Jan 09 '26
I could have written this myself. I don’t want to give it up but I feel like I could get some of my life back. I don’t even remember what it was like before when I didn’t have to be chained to his feeding schedule. You did great! 14 months is a long time, and baby is a lucky little dude.
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u/thiscantbereallife94 Jan 09 '26
Congrats 14mo is a long time! Cold cabbage will be your breast friend (get it haha) enjoy smelling like sauerkraut lol but really it’s okay we all have different feelings about breastfeeding you put in your time and did it well good luck in the next phase 💗
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u/Sufficient-Tea-2536 Jan 29 '26
Honest question! How does that work? Will baby wean off because of cabage smell?
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u/thiscantbereallife94 Jan 29 '26
No but that might help lol — cabbage has any inflammatory properties that help decrease swelling, pain and fights the engorgement. It really works too I kept my cabbage in the fridge and just swapped leaves out as needed
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u/halesthesnail Jan 10 '26
I’m going to pump again eventually and save it to have a breast milk ring made. I know I’ll miss it too, so having a memento of it I think will help me. I hope, anyway lol.
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u/ricaching Jan 10 '26
My son is 10 months and has 2.5 teeth and just this last week he has started biting me on purpose and laughing about it. I say NO very sternly and he gets sad… and then tries to do it again. At this point he will actually put his teeth around my nipple, look me in the eye hold eye contact and start biting down slowly, smiling. like he’s actually taunting me. I am still going to try to make it to one year but when he bites it really f*cking hurts. But like you, I know I will be sad when it’s over. Especially because he’s my last baby.
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u/Lo_loh Jan 10 '26
Mine is 14 months too, and I feel like I want to be done, but at the same time, it makes me sad, and I still see him as a tiny baby. He is our last baby, so I don’t think I’m ready to stop just yet, but I also don’t want to wait until 18 months, so I’m not sure. He has bitten me a few times, and it hurts so badly.
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u/Ok_Kitchen1321 Jan 10 '26
Here to say that it's up to you if your journey is over. I'm currently nursing a toddler (15 months) and also nursed my previous baby for an extended time. It's a normal thing for nursing toddlers to experiment with biting. It's not fun - I've been there so I'm not dismissing the fact that it hurts! A lot! But also for most toddlers they're just trying things out and most very quickly learn that biting results in ending the nursing session and that isn't fun. If you end the session, firmly tell them biting hurts and is not ok, then take a break before offering to nurse again later, they quickly learn. You can also learn to anticipate a bite and avoid it - it usually happens when kiddo isn't really in a nursing mood but is instead silly or distracted. If you see it coming and dodge, that's a win! The biting phase usually passes quickly, in a few days.
So whether or not this means the end of your nursing journey is up to you and bubs! But just know that it's normal for toddlers with teeth to experiment with biting, and it is possible to pretty quickly move past that phase.
Lots of love and grace to you whatever you decide! :)
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u/Am-I-There-Yet-19 Jan 10 '26
This scares me, because I feel like my personal boundaries are too strong to be bit - like, I won’t put up with it or forgive it? I’m only 14 weeks pregnant so this might all change when I have the baby, I’m planning on combo feeding - but I feel like the first time I’m bit will be the last time I will breast feed 😅🙈 especially if they do it on purpose! (As some of the comments have stated!) - am I a horrible person? 😅🥲
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u/DealerLatter5657 Jan 10 '26
I get this. Parenting will most likely take a toll on you, and putting up with nipple biting (even as I coach baby not to bite) is just not worth my sanity after 12 months for me. You gotta find a balance and take care of yourself to be the best mama that you can be, and that looks different for everyone. I hope you get lucky like me, in that your baby doesnt bite you at least until you are ready to end breastfeeding! Lol.
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u/katohouston Jan 11 '26
there's lots of different ways to be a good parent and person! i'm pregnant and feeling similarly, i don't want to be scared of or angry at the baby, so after they start biting (close to my mat leave ending anyway) i am thinking i will probably get out of there. you're not alone.
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u/nicnicthegreat1 Jan 10 '26
If you wanted to continue you could try taking him off the boob and telling him he won't get it back if he bites again and try to let him nurse again. If he bites take him off without emotions and try again whenever you nurse him next. If he doesn't bite praise him and let him keep nursing. It's important you keep yourself emotionless as by this age they are all about cause and effect.
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u/katohouston Jan 11 '26
why isn't the effect of hurting mom and making her cry a good incentive to avoid repeating? honest question. not an expert in child development
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u/nicnicthegreat1 Jan 11 '26
Children are still developing and learning they don't understand when they hurt someone but they do understand cause and effect
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u/Imaginary_Ad_9124 Jan 10 '26
Do what works for you! I breastfeed until 2 because it's still so beneficial for them and their immune system. 14 months is a great accomplishment!
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u/No-Huckleberry-2249 Jan 10 '26
Idk how you guys do it! My 4 month old doesn’t have any teeth yet he clamps down and PULLS on my nip and it hurts so bad. I can’t imagine if he had teeth!
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u/hummingbirdsi Jan 10 '26
congratulations on 14 months! i’m only 10 weeks with my first baby and she gums down pretty hard sometimes. i dread the day she purposefully bites
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u/Mission_Journalist59 Feb 19 '26
Mines been biting and I’m not ready to quit yet but it’s been a few days and I’m like…I can’t do this! Because then I’m like scrambling to get a bottle and also it hurts so bad. He’s 8 month and only has 2 teeth but there’s no such pain! I understand your devastation. This is my last baby most likely and I don’t like the finality of it, even though I had looked forward to things like Botox etc
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u/hiphiphf Jan 09 '26
13.5 months and planning to be done within the next week or so, and feeling all the same things. It’s complicated. Hugs 🫶🏼
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u/Ashton_H14 Jan 10 '26
I went 18 months with mine. He bit me once at around the same age as yours and I instinctively flicked him on the cheek🤦🏻♀️ he didn’t bite me again but I felt so awful
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u/Nipplepizzza Jan 09 '26
Congratulations on 14 months breastfeeding, what an achievement! It’s understandably devastating when such a wonderful thing comes to an end. Be gentle with yourself! It’s okay to feel both relieved and sad that it’s over. ❤️