Breastfeeding, Teething and Biting: What Every Mother Should Know

Just as you and your baby settle into a familiar feeding rhythm, teething begins. Your baby may become restless, chew everything within reach or suddenly clamp down during a feed. For many mothers, the arrival of those first tiny teeth brings one big worry:

Can I continue breastfeeding once my baby has teeth?

In most cases, yes. A baby’s first teeth do not mean that breastfeeding has to end. Babies can continue nursing comfortably throughout teething and long after several teeth have appeared. The key is understanding what your baby is experiencing and learning to recognise the difference between drinking and chewing.

What Happens for Your Baby During Breastfeeding?

Breastfeeding is more than simply receiving milk. It involves a carefully coordinated pattern of sucking, swallowing and breathing.

When your baby is properly attached to the breast, their mouth takes in more than just the nipple. Their tongue moves rhythmically and helps create the pressure needed to draw out milk. Breast milk naturally changes as your baby grows, helping to meet their changing nutritional needs.

During the first months of life, breast milk provides the energy and nutrients most babies need. It also contains antibodies and other protective components that support a developing immune system.

For your baby, a breastfeed can therefore provide several things at once:

• Nutrition and hydration
• Warmth and physical closeness
• Familiar smells, sounds and touch
• Comfort when tired, overwhelmed or unsettled
• An opportunity to practise coordinated oral movements

Every baby and every feeding journey is different. Some babies feed quickly, while others take their time. Some enjoy frequent short feeds, while others prefer longer sessions. These differences do not mean that one baby is feeding “better” than another.

The Health Benefits of Breastfeeding for Baby

Breastfeeding supports healthy growth and development while helping protect babies from certain illnesses.

Breastfed infants have lower risks of several conditions, including gastrointestinal infections, severe lower respiratory disease, ear infections and sudden infant death syndrome. Breastfeeding has also been associated with lower risks of asthma, obesity and type 1 diabetes.

Breast milk is especially suited to an infant’s developing digestive system. It changes over time and even varies during individual feeds.

However, breastfeeding should never become a source of guilt. Families may breastfeed exclusively, combine breast and bottle feeding, express milk or use formula. Feeding decisions can be shaped by health, supply, work, mental wellbeing and personal circumstances.

A supported, responsive parent matters far more than achieving a picture-perfect feeding journey.

What Is the Psychological and Emotional Impact?

Feeding is one of the earliest forms of communication between a parent and baby.

During breastfeeding, your baby experiences repeated moments of closeness and response: they show hunger or discomfort, and you answer with warmth, milk, touch and attention. These interactions can help your baby feel safe and supported.

Skin-to-skin contact and close holding can support bonding, warmth and a smooth start to breastfeeding. Breastfeeding also creates regular opportunities for eye contact, gentle touch and calm interaction.

This does not mean breastfeeding is the only way to build a secure bond. Bonding develops over time through many everyday experiences, including cuddling, talking, playing, comforting and responding to your baby’s needs.

The emotional experience for mothers

Breastfeeding may bring feelings of closeness, confidence and pride. It may also feel demanding, uncomfortable or emotionally complicated.

A mother may experience:

• Pressure to feed in a particular way
• Worry about milk supply
• Physical exhaustion
• Sore nipples or breast discomfort
• Anxiety about returning to work
• Frustration when feeding does not go as expected
• Fear of being bitten when teeth appear

These feelings are valid. Mothers deserve practical support rather than judgment.

Partners and family members can help by bringing water or food during feeds, taking responsibility for household tasks, helping with positioning advice and ensuring the mother has opportunities to rest.

Breastfeeding pain should not simply be endured. Persistent pain may be related to positioning, attachment or another feeding difficulty. A midwife, doctor, nurse or qualified lactation consultant can help assess what is happening.

What Changes When Your Baby Starts Teething?

Most babies begin teething at around six months, although some start earlier or later.

As a tooth moves through the gum, your baby may experience local tenderness or pressure. Common signs can include:

• Increased drooling
• Red or tender gums
• A stronger desire to chew
• Irritability or restlessness
• Disturbed sleep
• Rubbing the gums or face
• Temporary changes in feeding behaviour

Your baby may want to breastfeed more often because sucking and closeness feel comforting. Another baby may feed for shorter periods because their gums feel sensitive.

Both responses can be normal.

Teething should not automatically be blamed for symptoms such as significant fever, diarrhoea or a baby who appears seriously unwell. Contact a healthcare professional when you are concerned about your baby’s symptoms or feeding.

Why Do Teething Babies Chew?

Chewing can help relieve pressure on tender gums. It is also part of how babies explore texture, shape and firmness while developing hand-to-mouth coordination.

During teething, babies may chew their hands, toys, clothing, cot rails—or even the breast after a feed. The urge is natural, but it helps to offer a safe item made specifically for chewing.

Can a Baby Bite While Breastfeeding?

A baby who is actively drinking cannot usually bite. During a good latch, the tongue covers the lower teeth or gums and helps draw out the milk.

Biting normally happens when drinking has stopped. Your baby may be full, distracted, playful, sleepy or looking for relief from sore gums.

Watch for a change in rhythm. If swallowing stops or your baby begins to pull back, look around or play, gently end the feed before biting starts.

What to Do If Your Baby Bites

Stay calm and release the latch

Place a clean finger in the corner of your baby’s mouth to break the suction. Avoid pulling the breast away suddenly.

Use a calm, consistent phrase such as:

“No biting. Biting hurts.”

End the feed when drinking stops

Biting often happens at the end of a feed. Once your baby stops swallowing, gently remove them from the breast.

Reduce distractions

A quiet feeding space can help older babies stay focused. A calm reaction also prevents biting from becoming an interesting game.

Offer a safe teething toy

When your baby wants to chew rather than drink, offer a suitable teether.

Bambeado natural rubber teethers, including The Little Bamber and Dibly, are easy for little hands to hold and provide a dedicated surface for chewing and sensory exploration.

This helps reinforce a simple routine:

Milk is for drinking. Teethers are for chewing.

Always supervise your baby, inspect the teether before use and replace it at the first sign of damage or weakness.

Check the latch

If teeth regularly scrape the breast during active feeding, the latch may be too shallow. Reposition your baby so their body is close and their head and body are aligned.

Speak to a healthcare professional or lactation consultant if feeding remains painful or your nipples become cracked or bleed.

Helping Your Baby Before a Feed

When gums are tender, you can:

• Gently massage them with a clean finger

• Offer a suitable teething toy before feeding

• Feed in a calm, low-distraction space

• Try a different breastfeeding position

• Offer the breast before your baby becomes very upset

• End the feed once active swallowing stops

Drinking and Chewing Are Different

Drinking and chewing use the mouth differently.

While drinking, your baby’s tongue covers the lower teeth and helps maintain the latch. To bite, your baby must stop drinking, move the tongue and bring the gums or teeth together.

Recognising this difference can make breastfeeding during teething feel less worrying.

When your baby is hungry, the breast provides milk, comfort and closeness. When your baby needs pressure on tender gums, a safe teether provides a more suitable place to chew.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to stop breastfeeding when my baby gets teeth?

No. Babies can continue breastfeeding after their teeth appear.

Why does my baby bite at the end of a feed?

Your baby may be full, distracted, playful or seeking relief from sore gums. Biting is more likely once active swallowing has stopped.

Can my baby bite while swallowing?

Usually not. During active feeding, the tongue covers the lower teeth or gums. Biting happens after the baby pauses or changes their latch.

Should I shout when my baby bites?

Try to remain calm. Gently release the latch, end the feed and say, “No biting.” A loud reaction may frighten your baby or encourage them to repeat the behaviour for attention.

Can a teething toy help?

A safe teething toy gives your baby an appropriate surface to chew. Offering one before or after a feed may help redirect the urge to bite.

When should I seek support?

Speak to a doctor, midwife, nurse or lactation consultant if feeding is painful, your nipples are damaged, your baby struggles to latch or you are concerned about feeding and growth.

A Gentle Reminder for Mothers

Breastfeeding and teething are both learning stages. Your baby is adjusting to a changing mouth, and you are learning to recognise new feeding signals.

Remember:

The breast is for drinking.
The teether is for chewing.

With calm boundaries and a safe chewing alternative, breastfeeding can remain a comforting and positive connection as your baby’s first teeth arrive.

This article provides general parenting information and is not a substitute for personalised medical, dental or lactation advice. Contact a qualified healthcare professional if you are concerned about pain, injury, feeding or your baby’s health.