Trouble Nursing - Rancho Palos Verdes,CA

My daughter did that right before I went back to work. I was hoping to do both bottle and breast, because I knew she would have to start taking the bottle to go to the sitter's after I went back to work. But, after a few takes on the bottle, she would not go back on the breast. I pumped and bottle fed her because that way she would still get the breastmilk. I had to supplement her with formula too, as I couldn't make enough to keep up with her. As for the napping, I don't know....maybe she's coming down with a cold or not feeling good. ??

Does she have gas or seem like she has a tummy ache? Or maybe reflux? My pediatrician told me to cut out dairy to see if this helped with nursing.

1. kellymom.com - look for nursing strike or other tips on getting baby to nurse.

2. See the LC and/or pediatrician to rule out things like tongue tie or thrush or even early teething.

Sounds like a nursing strike.
Kellymom has some wonderful information to help you get through it and get her back on the breast http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/baby/index.html

She might be coming down with a cold or something too which is making her not want to nurse and wanting to be held all the time.

Best advice is to cancel any running around you might have and just sit somewhere comfortable and snuggle and offer any time you can get her to. She'll eat when she's hungry. Babies won't let themselves starve.
Best of luck! You can do it!!

Hi, my son started to do that around the same time he was around 2 months when all of the sudden he wanted nothing to do with breast feeding he was obviously hungry. I did the same thing, ended up pumping just so he would eat. Then I figued out he would get angry because when I put him up to nurse he had to work for it. He wanted the milk to come as fast as it was coming out of the bottle. I continued to try to breastfeed him and he would just get angry so I just ended up pumping it for a year. I know it is a lot of work, but I knew that he needed my milk. I hope your baby will continue it sure was a big bonding experience, but every baby is different, I had no problem with my first born just my second. Also try to see if she doesn't have a stuffy nose.

Try different positions too -- if she's brewing an ear infection it might hurt to be on her side.

And you can always call a LLL eader, you can find one near you at http://www.llli.org/webus.html

I got through nursing strikes using the 'dream feed' approach. If you can get her to sleep, then put her to your breast, she will likely latch on to nurse while remaining completely (or almost completely) asleep.

I agree with you that pumping and giving a bottle could backfire on you in the long run. You can check out www.kellymom.com and look at nursing strike tips to get through it.

For my son, he had nursing strikes just as he was coming down with a cold or ear infection. I hope it's not that for you, but something to keep an eye on. Other things to check out with the pediatrician if it keeps up: 2 months is when reflux can kick in if a baby is going to have it and needing to sleep in a verticle position is a classic symptom.

good luck!

I have experienced this - I would suggest snuggling and carrying her as much as you can (if possible skin to skin). When she's drowsy try to get her to latch on again. Could just be a quick nursing strike. Best of luck - I remember it was a very difficult time for me!