Mom Says 15-Month-Old Son Bit Off Her Nipple While Breastfeeding: “It Was Hanging On”
SIPPY DOWNS — A young mother says she was left in shock after her toddler accidentally bit off part of her nipple while she was breastfeeding him to sleep, leading to an emergency room visit and a viral TikTok story.
Unexpected Emergency
Rebecca Conklin, 22, was feeding her 15-month-old son when she noticed blood on his chin. Upon closer inspection, she realized her nipple was partially severed.
“I’m at the ER right now because my son accidentally bit my nipple, and it’s like hanging on,” she explained in a video filmed from the hospital. “It doesn’t hurt, but I was told to go to the ER.”
Her OB-GYN instructed her to seek medical help, but doctors informed her there was little they could do besides providing pads, ointment, and tape, saying the wound would heal much like a scab.
Difficult Decision to Wean
That same day, Conklin made the tough choice to begin weaning her son. She told PEOPLE that she never expected such an injury. “The weirdest part was that I felt no pain. My son honestly didn’t bite much, so I never thought this would happen. But of course it could — he has 12 teeth, and they’re very sharp.”
Doctors also cautioned her that the injury might affect her ability to breastfeed future children, though they reassured her she would likely heal fully.
TikTok Video Goes Viral
@frecklereb When you sign up for breastfeeding but not for ER visits 💀 #MomLife #breastfeedingjourney #momsoftiktok
While waiting in the ER, Conklin decided to share her story online. Her TikTok quickly drew more than 700,000 views, with over 1,600 comments from fellow mothers. Many admitted they were now nervous about breastfeeding, though most messages were supportive.
“Breastfeeding is already hard enough — no one should be shamed for how they choose to feed their baby,” she said, adding that the encouragement from other moms made her feel less alone.
Finding Strength Through the Experience
Despite the shock, Conklin said the ordeal showed her resilience. “This experience made me realize how strong I am as a mom and as a person. I didn’t freak out, I handled it calmly and even joked about it. And even after this, I’ll still choose to breastfeed my future children.”
She continues to document her weaning journey on TikTok and offers advice to new mothers: “Breastfeeding can feel daunting, but I urge everyone to just try it. No pressure — just experience it.”
Have you faced unexpected challenges while breastfeeding or parenting a toddler? Share your story in the comments on SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.
