Nursing Strikes

My baby is refusing to nurse and I have no idea why. Help!

Nursing strikes can be concerning to moms and we don’t always know the cause. They are temporary and do not mean baby is self-weaning. Sometimes it is something minor, like a new deodorant, perfume, or body wash you are using that baby doesn't like. Below is a list of other possible causes and solutions to help end the strike.

Causes/Solutions:

1. Illness:  Stuffy nose, sore throat, ear infection, etc.

• • Contact your doctor for ways to help.
  • Nurse baby in an upright position.

2. Teething:  Baby’s gums may be tender or a strong reaction to a bite startled them.

• • Ease teething pain prior to nursing.
  • Discourage biting by ending the feeding and waiting for 10-15 minutes before starting again, but try not to yell.

3. Stress:  Recent life changes, like starting daycare, moving to a new home, or being separated from you for a while.

• • Make your breast a pleasant place to be.
  • Stop if you or baby becomes frustrated - calm baby and try again later. 

4. Distraction:  Too much stimulation in their environment or developmental milestones like learning to walk.

• • Nurse in a dark, quiet room.
  • Rock in a chair or walk around while feeding.
  • Take advantage of sleepy or drowsy periods.
  • Check out this article for more ways to deal with distracted nursing.

5. Nipple Confusion:  Baby starts to prefer bottles.

• • Use paced bottle-feeding to make a bottle-feeding session more similar to breastfeeding.
  • Use a supplemental nursing system (SNS) to keep your baby engaged at the breast when supplementing with breast milk or formula.

6.  Discomfort:  Milk flow is too slow or too fast.

• • For slow flow, initiate the letdown reflex before latching baby, and massage the breasts during the feeding.
  • For fast flow, stimulate the letdown reflex, but wait to latch baby until the flow of milk has slowed; use the laid-back breastfeeding position, and check out this article for more information.

7.  Menstrual Cycle:  Hormonal changes during your period can cause a temporary dip in milk supply and make it less comfortable to nurse. A rise in chloride and sodium levels, along with a decrease in lactose, can also make your milk taste less sweet than usual. 

• • Watch your baby's cues and allow more frequent feedings if needed.
  • If your baby becomes frustrated by slower milk flow, try breast compressions and gentle massage to help milk flow more easily. 
  • Ask your doctor about using a calcium and magnesium supplement. A daily dose of 500 to 1,000 mg from the middle of your cycle through the first three days of your period may help minimize any drop in supply.
  • If you’re concerned about a significant decrease, track your baby’s wet and dirty diapers to ensure they’re getting enough to eat.

Skin-to-skin contact can encourage a baby to latch and calm them in all of the situations mentioned. During nursing strikes, protect your milk supply by hand expressing or pumping when a feeding is missed.