My 2 1/2 Month Old All of the Sudden Refuses to Breastfeed.

Sounds like maybe teething pain. Maybe try giving him some teething gel (they have homeopathic Hyland's teething gel) and see if that helps.

Be patient... he may be over tired when you try to feed him during the day. You may also have a strong let down - so you could try expressing or pumping just before a feeding. He may not even like the type of hold you are using - maybe try a different position.

Usually the first nursing strike happens after 3 months, but it can happen at any time. www.kellymom.com and www.drjacknewman.com are great references for things - and you can google or search those 2 sites for info on nursing strikes, cluster feeding and growth spurts.

3 weeks is a long time to struggle with breastfeeding. I think it's time to call the hospital where you delivered and see if they have a Lactation Consultant who will help you. If not, I'd try to seek out an LC as soon as possible. My sister is an LC and does lots of consults over the phone free of charge to moms who delivered at her hospital How's your milk supply? If you are engorged or have rapid let down, that can make a baby react like your son. Also, if your milk supply is low, sometimes babies will suck just a few seconds to a minute and if no let down occurs, get frustrated and push away. This happened with my first child. Milk supply can be restored with a little help from an LC. Pamela, Raven and Son has some good advice about experimenting with different holds.
www.kellymom.com is a good resource too, but nothing like the suggestions and support of a good LC. Please don't give up. I had a terrible time nursing my first and at one point she was even said to be "failure to thrive" and "discoordinated suck". We were able to overcome a lot of hurdles and continue nursing till 16 months. Midwife Mom of 3

I would check with a lactation specialist, and if you're open to it, a chiropractor. I took mine when he was 3 months old for colic and it made an amazing difference. Chiropractors with special training in pediatrics can help with breastfeeding issues too.

Here is a link to a similar question from about a year ago...although the baby was a little older.

http://www.mamapedia.com/questions/7339029288026439681

I answered there and modified the same answer here...
I'm so sorry you are going through this! My first daughter had a real rough time nursing from 10-18 weeks (and then occasionally after that), and I remember how difficult it was. Looking back, I think she was already having some teething pain, although she didn't break a tooth through until 5.5 months. She wouldn't take a bottle either...I was just beside myself! I remember coming home from a trip to my folks' and just sobbing in the car because I felt so trapped - I couldn't leave her because she wouldn't take a bottle, yet at the same time, it didn't seem to matter if I was there, because she didn't want to nurse either!!

I would try to catch her before she woke up all the way and get her latched on before she even knew what was going on! ;) We were on a pretty good routine of nursing mostly after sleeping, so I could catch her a lot this way. I found if I swaddled her up or held her tight and swayed or walked around as I nursed that helped...just about killed my arms and back though! Whew! My SIL reminded me that in some places, bottles aren't an option...and they really will eat if they get desperate!

BUT - also remember you aren't a failure if he stops nursing. I really do think he'll come around though. My daughter did, and boy is she stubborn! ;) We were able to nurse till almost 17 months when she weaned completely, and it was a pleasant experience once we got through those couple of tough months....and she's 3.5 now and thriving! I have another baby daughter who is just a couple weeks younger than yours...I'm hoping to not have those same struggles again. UGH!

I'm so glad you've come here for encouragement. Looking back, the phase went more quickly than it felt at the time, but it was probably the most difficult part of my first months as a mom. I hate that when I remember the early days of my daughter's life, what I most remember is that feeling of despair that she wouldn't eat. SO... try really hard to focus on the wonderful times you are having with your son.

The thing that finally broke the "strike"...at least sort of... I was having surgery when she was 17 weeks, so I was going to have to miss 2 normal feeding times. That's why we were working so hard to get her on the bottle. On the day of my surgery, my husband stayed with her. She refused the bottle and cried for 3 hours, then slept for 3 hours, and then upon waking, took a bottle. When I went to nurse her, I was unable to walk all over and bounce...it was kind of a "take it or leave it, but this is how you're gettin' it" scenario! ;) And...she eventually "took it".

Definitely call a lactation consultant if you know of one. You got a lot of great responses here.

Message me if I can offer you any more words of encouragement... Also, maybe try a change of scenery?? Maybe outdoors if you have a private patio area? And...sometimes, I'd get her latched onto her paci and would try to make a quick switch...sometimes it did work!

Take care,
R.

I would think maybe he's teething, but he's doing it for pretty long for it to be that. How often is he nursing? If it's every four hours, you're okay. He might only need to nurse right before he goes to sleep. Often that is when my babies would nurse at that age because they still sleep a lot. They started off nursing a ton more than that, but then they backed off to four hours. He might not be hungry when you're trying to feed him and is pushing away to tell you he's not interest. Is that a possibility?

If he's not eating every four hours at least, I would see if you can get a hold of someone from the La Leche League and see if they can help you. I trust them more than many other lactation consultants (with my first, it took FIVE lactation consultants before I found the one that knew what to do).

I wouldn't go for a bottle unless absolutely necessary. And, if you do end up using a bottle, the Breastflow bottle by First Year uses the same suck as nursing. It's the only bottle I know of that does that.

But I'd time his feedings and see if he wants to go every four hours. At night he might want to go longer. If he's not eating that often, then I'd seek help. But if he is, then you're fine and have no problem.

A 2 mo. old baby should nurse often, but may be upset if he has an ear infection or thrush. I'd do a quick visit to the pediatrician and if there's nothing amiss with him, go to a certified lactation consultant about it. Around 12 weeks babies start to get more control and may not always want something in their mouths (it happened with my DD and bottles) but it should be temporary.

Make sure you keep your stress level down, sit and relax, eat oatmeal and drink water.

Is something hurting him? Tummy or ears? Maybe have him checked by pediatrician as well as contacting a lactation consultant. Just to be on the safe side...... Good luck!

does the baby or you have thrush? don't hesitate on asking the dr.

Hi!
I had a similar problem with my daughter. Have you been exercising before you nurse him? I was told that sometimes after a work out there is a build up of lactic acid, which babies don't like. Maybe that's the problem.

Ask your doctor. In case something is wrong, I would try to get him used to the bottle. If he is having issues with your breast milk, it could be upsetting his stomach, thrush, all sorts of things. Contact the doc!

I'm so sorry to hear this. The same exact thing happened with my son (night time only). I was told it was a milk supply issue and spent the next two weeks doing nothing but feeding/pumping. And I'm not really joking. I had about a 10 min break for every hour of the day. I'm sorry to say that my son never truly got back into it although I tried with all my heart until he was 10 months old. I absolutely believe that breastfeeding is SO important, but sometimes I wish that someone in my life would have just said, "just try to give him a bottle (formula)." I'm not necessarily saying that you need to, but please just know that the option is out there. I had quite a few months of frustration that I wish could have been spent with more joy in our lives. Best of luck to you!

It may be time to change his feeding schedule. Are you feeding on demand or on a schedule? Either way it may be time to space out the feedings a bit more. He may not be hungry.