My daughter breastfed like a champ from minutes old. When she was 3 months I returned to work however she still only eats breastmilk. I nurse in the morning before I leave and express milk for her 3 bottles at daycare. Then I nurse her in the evening. On the weekends she exclusively breastfeeds.
Today I tried breastfeeding her and the minute I put her to my breast she started crying. I figured - ok, she's not hungry I'll try later. She started fussing and I figured she was hungry - same thing, crying at my breast.
Of note - yesterday she was diagnosed with pink eye, ear infection, upper respiratory infection. She is on an antibiotic.
typically if she is not feeling well she will comfort nurse - she did yesterday.
So, because it had been hours since she had a wet diaper I finally tried a bottle (she's never taken a bottle from me - only at daycare or from my husband) - she wolfed it down.
Does it sound as though she is weaning? I don't believe I'm ready for that - I had planned on at least til she was 12 months......Is there something I can do??????????
Thanks ladies! I got home from work and put on my robe and just kept her in her diaper and we cuddled on the couch for awhile. Every 20 mins or so I'd offer and she kept arching her back and crying. My husband finally gave her a bottle and I had to leave the room feeling rejected! So, I later took her up to her room and we sat on the rocking chair. I kept her pacifier in her mouth and put her in our regular nusing position......no fuss......sat for a little while then took out the binki.........And she rooted over!! hurray - she nursed again!!!
Well the nursing session last night was short-lived - so far today not interested at all!!!!!!!!!!
update - 3 days later she is nursing 'normal' again - no bottles allday as she has nursed exclusively - she's been biting a bit though. Before even mentioning it my husband said, "I think she's getting upper teeth" - goodness, not only ill but teething too??!! So glad to be back to bondingwith my little girl - I was SO worried she was done with me!!!
I agree with Anne and Shane that this will probably pass when she feels better. Bottle nipples generally have an easier flow than the breast. Having to suck harder at the breast could be causing her too much discomfort right now.
The pressure in her ears from the ear infection could very well be causing pain/pressure in her head/ears when she is trying to nurse. So, she's hungry (which feels like pain to her) but nursing makes her head/ears hurt.
The bottle may be easier (less pressure on her ears) for her to eat from. Keep trying to put her to the breast, if you can, and call your pediatrician now to see if they can offer any suggestions on pain relief/pressure relief from the pain to help her get comfortable nursing again.
It sounds to me like she just doesn't feel well. We've all been there....NOTHING we try or that usually works makes a truly grumpy baby happy.
I think it will pass. Just be patient and try to keep her as comfortable as possible.
As far as taking the bottle, don't worry. It may be that the sucking is different and relieves some of the pressure in her ears as she swallows.
Just hang in there. Give her time to get feeling better.
Best wishes.
with not feeling well, it is causing more pain for her when she is at the breast. Since she is more laying down where nursing, and the sucking, is going to bother her ears more. When she starts feeling well she will go back to nursing no problem. Sounds like it will just be a few days.
I also doubt she's weaning. It hurts her ears to nurse. If she's crying even before she starts to nurse, she may just be afraid her ears will hurt if she does, remembering that they hurt the last time. Poor thing. All you can do right now is give her lots and love and cuddles. Hopefully she'll be ready to nurse again within the next day or so. If not, you may want to call her dr. to make sure the antibiotic is working.
Just wanted to add if her nose is stuffy, it could be more difficult for her to breathe while nursing too.
I would guess that it's because she wants instant gratification when she starts sucking because it hurts to even suck due to the ear infection. Keep trying and I bet you will see a difference as soon as her ear(s) start to clear up. Goodluck.
It sounds like she's on a nursing strike. Most babies don't wean this early. Normally a sudden refusal to nurse is a strike. Just keep offering her the breast. Try different holds and nursing in different spots and see if that helps. If she has an ear infections, it might be that the sucking is hurting her ears. You can try giving her some acetametaphine (sp) or ibupprofen before nursing. It with help with some of the pain in her ears.
You've gotten many good responses. I'd also add if it's a nursing strike, to offer the breast when she's very sleepy, either just falling asleep or just waking up. Take a bath with her and cuddle her in the warm water...both of you relaxed, no pressure but available. Try standing up and walking around while offering the breast. And most of all, don't worry. I agree this is most likely a response to not feeling well. When she feels better, it will pass.
Someone may have said this, but it might be her ear infection... leaning back when you have an ear infection hurts horribly, and maybe she's more propped up when taking the bottle.
Looks like you have heard some of this already, but it is probably her ears bothering her in the nursing position. Try to nurse her while she is sitting up facing you instead of laying down/cradling and that will help relieve ear pressure for her.
If it is a nursing strike, it is nothing to worry about either- just keep offering. Sometimes it takes a week or more and then they will nurse like champs again.
Expressing breastmilk and dropping some into her eyes and ears will help clear the infection since it is antibacterial, AND it won't burn at all.
I hope you are both feeling better soon.
M.
Perhaps it is more painful to breastfeed with an ear infection because she has to work harder at eating than with a bottle? Plus, she probably lies flatter when breastfeeding than she would need to with a bottle.
I'd give her a break until the antibiotics do their work, she may just be suffering. My daughter just recovered from an ear infection and it took up to 7 days for her to not wake at night due to the pain.
However, my daughter did wean about the same age as yours...both my kids did it voluntarily around 9 mos and I just went with what worked best for them.
Good luck.
AE
no! she is definitely not weaning! most likely she is having either teething pain, her throat hurts or just not feeling well. Antibiotics can mess up your stomach due to the damage tto the friendly flora. please consider giving her acidophilus/probiotics to restore that natural flora.
Kids also go on nursing strikes sometimes for no apparent reason, but in this case you could have many reasons. DOnt worry i am sure as soon as she feels better shell be back to happily nursing!
Updated
no! she is definitely not weaning! most likely she is having either teething pain, her throat hurts or just not feeling well. Antibiotics can mess up your stomach due to the damage tto the friendly flora. please consider giving her acidophilus/probiotics to restore that natural flora.
Kids also go on nursing strikes sometimes for no apparent reason, but in this case you could have many reasons. DOnt worry i am sure as soon as she feels better shell be back to happily nursing!
