Ouch! - Omaha,NE

Hey K.! This is a phase, and I know you said your baby is disinterested right now, but again its a phase. Read up on nursing strikes at www.kellymom.com and you'll ge tsome good information. ALL babies have nursing strikes, thye bite or turn away or wont' nurse, and it could last from a few days to a few weeks. BUT HE WILL COME BACK TO NURSING, so don't give up.

Read up on nursing strikes, and to let that breast heal, don't pump for a couple days on that side, but do let him nurse. Keep letting it air out, and put lanolin on it if its sore. It'll heal fairly quickly.

AS for the biting, if he bites, pull him into the breast so his nose is covered, eh'll let go and it'll remind him that if he bites, he won't get to nurse. IT'll scare him a bit, but he'll remember.

Ouch is right, but don't despair! I had a similar experience. Hook up with La Leche League in your area. A leader can come to your home and help you with this. Don't delay!
I flicked my daughter on the cheek when she bit. This startled her and she quit biting. It is difficult, but can be done.

The things most worth having are often the most challenging. Nursing for you is going to be challenging, but do not give up. This era in your lives is so fleeting.

Web site for reading: www.lightlink.com/hilinda/Diane/breastorbottle.html It will tell you of all the benefits. Also, Ask Dr Sears has never failed me! The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding will certainly be helpful too.

Just don't give up. This will pass and he will nurse again.

The days are long but the years are short...

Good luck and hang in there!
J.

When i first started nursing i was very cracked and bleeding. i kept applying lanolin cream and let them air dry after showering. it was not pleasent and pumping like nursing will keep it irritated but i got through it with a baby eating every hour (ouch) so i am sure you will heal fine only pumping every few hours. Good Luck. Sorry that you are weaning sooner then you would have liked. But just so you dont think it is you he doesnt like he could be getting more teeth. my son wanted a bottle over breast while he was cutting teeth it just felt better to him i guess. He is 8 months with 6 teeth and more coming. He has bit me a few times so i really do feel your pain!!

Sometimes babies find it easier to suck out of the bottle then to nurse. My youngest quit wanting to nurse two weeks after I went back to work. (He was 8 weeks old) It broke my heart because he was my last child. But when they are ready they are ready. Keep pumping and giving him the benefits of your breast milk.