By Nancy Mohrbacher

Editor’s Note: Over the years, many “classic” New Beginnings articles were available through both the La Leche League USA and La Leche League International websites. As these websites have been updated, the availability of the New Beginnings archives has changed, and many articles that were once found online may no longer be there. We plan to bring back some of these parenting gems from earlier years. Today’s blog post is excerpted and updated from the November-December 1992 issue of New Beginnings.

Your baby has been nursing well for months, then suddenly begins refusing the breast. What does it mean? Is there something wrong with your milk? Is baby sick? Is baby ready to wean?

A baby who refuses to breastfeed may not necessarily be ready to wean. If the baby is younger than a year and has not been eating much solid food or drinking from a cup, it’s unlikely that they are ready to give up breastfeeding. More than likely the baby has gone on a nursing strike.

A nursing strike is a baby’s way of communicating that something is wrong, and most babies who “go on strike” are obviously unhappy about it. Some nursing strikes come on suddenly, others more gradually. But a nursing strike does not have to mean the end of breastfeeding. A nursing strike usually lasts between two and four days, although some last longer. With lots of patience and persistence, it is almost always possible to convince the baby to go back to nursing.

Possible Causes of a Nursing Strike

Sometimes the cause of a nursing strike is obvious, but other times the reason may remain unclear. Some common causes for a baby to refuse to nurse include:

• Mouth pain from teething, an injury, or a fungus infection such as thrush
• An ear infection, which may cause pressure or pain while nursing
• Pain while being held in the nursing position, perhaps due to an immunization or injury
• A stuffy nose that makes breathing difficult while nursing
• Too many bottles, overuse of a pacifier, or frequent thumb sucking, which may lead to a reduced milk supply
• Regular distractions and interruptions while nursing
• An unusually long separation from the nursing parent

There may also be situations or actions on the parent’s part that unknowingly contribute to a baby’s refusal to nurse:

• A strong reaction to a baby’s bite
• A major change in routine, such as moving or traveling
• Limiting and/or scheduling feedings
• Talking in a loud voice or arguing while nursing
• Overstimulation, stress, or tension from an overly full schedule or an upset in the home
• Repeatedly putting off the baby when they want to nurse

Other, less common causes of a nursing strike may also include sensitivity to a food or drug ingested by parent or baby, creams or ointments applied to the parent’s nipples, change in the taste of milk due to a breast infection or change in diet, or a reaction to a new product such as soap, shampoo, or laundry detergent used on the parent’s body or clothing.

No matter what its cause, a nursing strike is upsetting for everyone. Worries about how to feed the baby add to any anxiety. While trying to bring baby back to the breast, expressing milk by hand or with a pump about as often as baby would nurse will keep the parent comfortable, prevent engorgement or infection, and provide baby with the milk they need.

While offering expressed milk in a bottle is the first thought that may come to mind, other options include a cup, a small flexible bowl, spoon, eye dropper, or feeding syringe. Using a different feeding method may be messy at first, but with patience and practice, a baby will usually master it quickly.

Getting Baby Back to the Breast

Patience and persistence are the keys to getting a baby back to the breast. But if either parent or baby becomes frustrated when the breast is offered, it is time to stop and try again later. Attempts to breastfeed should be kept as pleasant as possible, so that the baby will associate nursing with positive feelings.

The following time-tested suggestions have helped end many nursing strikes:

• Try nursing when the baby is asleep or very sleepy, such as during the night or while napping. Many babies who refuse to nurse when they are awake will nurse when they are sleepy.
• Vary nursing positions. Some babies will refuse to nurse in one position but take the breast in another.
• Nurse when in motion. Some babies are more likely to nurse when rocking or walking rather than sitting or standing still. (Editor’s note: Years ago, I heard about a baby who began nursing again after the parent sat in an office chair and slowly spun around while attempting to nurse.)
• Nurse in an environment that is free from distractions. Some babies, especially babies older than three months or so, may be easily distracted. Turn off any devices and try nursing in a quiet, darkened room.
• Give the baby extra attention and skin-to-skin contact. Whenever possible undress to the waist and keep baby in just a diaper to maximize skin-to-skin contact. Put a blanket around the two of you if the room is chilly.
• A baby sling or carrier can help keep baby close between attempts to nurse. Taking warm baths together can also be soothing.

Please send your story ideas to Amy at [email protected].

Supporting Breastfeeding Families–Today, Tomorrow, Always

Please consider donating to La Leche League USA.
Your gift helps support this blog and the website!

Donations of any amount are gratefully accepted. Thank you!

Follow us on:

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter