New to Board: BF and teething Q

I've always come to this board for any questions I've had through pregnancy and being a mommy, but this is my first time actually posting. I'm at my wits end!! As I write this, I'm in tears and I really don't know what to do. Here's my problem:

My daughter is 8 1/2 months old and has been BF since the beginning. She hates bottles and refuses to take them. She does drink pretty well from a sippy cup, but usually only water. Anyway, she's been teething and has one tooth on the bottom and the one right next to it just broke through. Yesterday she bit me (more like she grinded my nipple between her gums and teeth) and I kind of yelped in pain. I tried not to scare her, but of course I did. She was nursing fine today until it happened again. I didn't yell at all, but I tried to gently pull her off while I was saying, "ooohhhh, no, no, no." (in a soft voice) Well, she looked at me and instantly started wailing -- and since then (10am this morning) has refused to nurse anymore. She wants to, but she's very hesitant and if I try and express a little milk and then put my boob in her mouth, she screams. She's totally afraid to eat!

Has anyone had this problem?? How do I get her to be ok with going back to nursing? I don't even care if she bites me now, I just want my baby to be ok. She's so sad and so miserable. I feel horrible . Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Re: New to Board: BF and teething Q

This may sound silly, but what if you don't make eye contacting when letting her latch on? DD will be 1 next weekend and I find when she is distracting or resisting me, if I look away, she latches right on. Also - if she is hungry enough, she will eat. Don't feel bad, you didn't do anything wrong.

Also - when DD's 1st tooth broke through, she would grind her gums on my nipple as well. Then once it got through, she stopped. So hopefully this is just a phase for your DD and she will not bite you. Most babies do not bite, so I think you'll be OK.

Re: New to Board: BF and teething Q

Thank you for your response :o).

I;ve actually tried doing that today -- having a conversation with my mom and nonchalantly trying to have her latch, and she still freaked out. I'm hoping it'll pass. I know her teeth are really killing her right now, so maybe tmrw will be better. I really don't want to give up BF yet :o(.

Re: New to Board: BF and teething Q

I think she will get over it. She'll eat when she's hungry enough If it's any consolation, my 7 month old went through a few days of biting me about 2-3 weeks ago (maybe he did it 4 times) and he hasn't done it since. It's all a new sensation for them.

Good luck

Re: New to Board: BF and teething Q

Thank you :o).

Been a rough day with her; I just feel so bad. It's been hard to comfort her b/c so much of the time BF is what does it. She's finally sleeping now, but hasn't drank anything except for watered down apple juice since I fed her this morning. Just hoping that this will pass in a few days. I'll keep offering her the boob and pump in the meantime.