Do babies go off milk when teething?

The reason the bottle causes problems is that it irritates your baby's gums when she sucks on this. The action presses down on those sore gums which further aggravates this soreness so is any wonder that she is reluctant to carry on.

The situation may be different if you are breastfeeding. Breastfeeding not only provides essential nutrients to baby but helps to comfort and soothe them as well. So if you are breastfeeding then this action may act as a pacifier for your baby and help to take her mind off the pain caused by teething.

But it is not always that great for mum who finds that those emerging teeth are rather sharp. Your baby will try out these teeth on your nipples which can be painful. So, stop her from doing this by saying 'no' and removing her from your breast.

You don't want to put her off from breastfeeding but you do need to discourage her from biting.

Another problem which can occur with breastfeeding is if your baby stops feeding before she is full. She may be reluctant to be put on your breast which indicates a lack of desire to feed but can also be related to teething. Try and encourage her by pumping your breast to stimulate the flow of milk.

If this doesn't work then feed her milk from a bottle or a small cup.

Your baby may be reluctant to feed for a variety of reasons which is often known as a 'nursing strike'. This is not a work to rule but is rather a withdrawal of labour as in a refusal to feed from your breast.

This occurs for several reasons, one of these being a reaction to being shouted at during breastfeeding. If you shouted at your baby whilst breastfeeding her because she was biting you then this is the likely response. She is scared to feed in case the same happens again.

Reassure her and try to encourage her to feed from the breast. If this fails then try a bottle or sipping cup as it is important that your baby has milk.