Baby Is on a "Nursing Strike"

Has he been taking breast milk from bottles since he was born? Bottles are generally easier than the breast. If he has gotten used to a bottle (even with breast milk in it) he may not take the breast because it is harder for him. Sorry to give bad news but hope this helps.

I nursed my 1st child 18 months, 2nd & 3rd a year each. Never regretted it. Yesterday was my oldest's 8th BD and healthy as a horse! Out of all three, though, she was the most difficult to start nursing. I stayed home only 5 weeks before I went back to work (I was single mother at the time) There were times when she wouldn't take the breast, but would take the bottle, because the bottle was easier to suck from (try using a slower flow nipple when bottle feeding). ...This was my own personal idea that worked for me... When she went on nursing strike, I would do this, then she would nurse better from the breast. Maybe you are semi-engourged when you put him to the breast, and this is difficult for them to nurse at that point...try expressing some milk to the "let down" stage then offering to him. Not only will he learn that your breast is easier to get food, but he will be satisfied faster.

Good luck! And don't give up! But, what ever is best for the child is what you should do.

M.

A.,
Yes, I have been through it. I remember trying all the same tricks you are trying. I contacted Le Leche League and they told me she would eat when she was hungry. Unfortunately, my daughter did not ever come out of her nursing strike. She got diarrhea and it became more important to keep her in fluids than insist she breastfeed. I, too, was determined to make it to a year, but after 2 weeks of hell, I had to concede that it was our sanity or breastfeeding. I chose sanity. I pumped for another couple of weeks and eased her onto formula. I struggled with guilt for a long time, especially when I fed her in public, but it turned out in the end that the problem was a muscle tone issue. She was too young(3 months) for us to know then that she was struggling to get all she needed. When we switched her to the bottle she became content and happy, and started sleeping better. I don't say this to discourage you from keeping up your resolve, but rather to ease your mind and say that it's ok if you have to stop. It doesn't make you a bad mom and you have done everything you can to give your baby the best start possible. Message me if you want, I am here if you need anything.
Hope this helps,
-K.

Mine had a nursing strike a couple months ago. What broke it was this: We took a bath. Stripped us both naked and got into a semi-warm tub. It relaxed him (he seemed so tense when he'd refuse to nurse). All that skin to skin was very good. I put the water level as high as halway between my belly button and my nipple, so he would be semi-submerged if he did agree to nurse. So I just floated and rocked him, in the body temp water, cooing at him gently. All very womb-like. And he relaxed, and it was like he forgot to refuse.

I never did have any idea what started the strike to begin with...

HTH, L.

A.,

I agree with the other posts...stick with it. Is there a possiblity he is teething? getting sick? ear infection? Always offer the breast first before any cup or bottle. Maybe rub breast milk all over your breast (i know, messy) to entice him. They go by smell when it comes to nursing. I nursed my last baby til she was 13 mos. She was a constant nurser and I would sometimes get discouraged but it is all worth it.

Le Leche League (LLL) here in Baton Rouge is EXCELLENT. They are very supportive and have all kinds of wonderful suggestions and are available 24/7. They have monthly meetings too and those are great. I strongly suggest you contact a LLL leader, although the lactation department at women's is 'sorta' helpful, you will not get the expertise and support that you need from them, LLL taught me so much more, and they are more knowledgable about nursing and the habits and quirks that your baby goes thru in that first year. Honestly if it weren't for LLL I would have never made it to 6 wks of nursing let alone 13 months!! (lactation dept told me not to nurse on certain meds, that i just needed to not nurse this baby... LLL told me the risks, what to look for in the baby for reaction to meds and when to pump and dump, all of which my pediatrician agreed with)

Good Luck!!!

Is he teething by chance? That might affect how he's reacting or feeling.

I would just continue to offer your breast and pump when/if needed. I think he'll come back to it when he realizes this is it. Lots of cuddling, humming/singing would help. Have you changed your diet any? Are you drinking more caffeine or eating things you don't normally eat? Sometimes that has an effect on how the milk tastes. I'm just throwing things out here, can you tell?

I truly think that you just need to not give up, give it time. I breast fed my 3rd one for 18 months, best time of my life. I loved it. Giving him a year on the breast is IMHO the best thing for him. Continue to work with your lactation person and just relax.

Congrats on being a new SAHM, it's the best job in the world. I have 5 kids (well kids...heck 1/2 of them are grown but all living here). They are 9-22 and I have been a SAHM for 18 years.

Let us know how he does.

if you just started staying home then hes gotten used to mostly bottles which are gonna be easier for him to get the milk so he might just be being kinda lazy. i would continue to offer him the breast at feeding time and if he refuses then pump some(in case you are engorged) and offer again, if he still refuses finish pumping but dont give him the bottle, then in like 30 minutes try offering the breast again, maybe by then he'll be hungry enough that he'll take the breast. if he still refuses then, give him the bottle. if waiting 30 minutes is too much for him (ie hes screaming b/c hes hungry) then just offer breast, pump some, offer breast, pump, give bottle. just make sure you offer the breast first at every feeding. if he is just on a nursing strike (which is most likely what it is, its highly unlikely for a 6mo to self wean) then he will eventually take the breast again. try and not stress over it b/c babies are aware of stress and that'll just make the situation harder. good luck! i hope it all works out for you

A.,

I nursed my DS for 8 1/2 months (he is 11 months now). Is he teething? That may have something to do with it. My advise to you is to keep offering him the boob. It is very frustrating, but don't give up. It should pass soon. Best of luck to you!!!!

I agree that LLL is a great resouce. You might also want to try wearing him in a sing or other baby carrier...that way you can keep him close so he can smell you and your milk, but still get somethings done. Skin to skin (which you are already doing) is great too!

It is possible that he isn't feeling well. If you were nauseated you wouldn't want to nurse either. I would offer him the breast periodically and not give him a bottle or cup. If he has learned how fast and easily he can drink from a bottle he might not want to nurse unless it is for comfort and not for nutrition.

Hey there, stay calm!! I have been through this with my little girl(now 6). Come to find out I had bought a new bra that she did not like? Just a thought? You never know? Also, She would not eat when her ears hurt? Is there any sign of this?
Hope this helps, B.

Hey A. -

I did go through this with one of mine (can't remember which one) I found the LLLI web site a huge help. You may have already found it or your lactation consultant may have given you the same information, but I found the articles very helpful. My baby eventually did get back with the program after a week having to pump on and off (pumping is for the birds :) I hope this helps.

http://www.llli.org/nb.html