still not nursing...

jules_9

Brady hasn't nursed since Monday.  He refused to even attempt.  He's still eating well and taking his bottle... I'm still offering at every opportunity.  I have no idea what's going on.  I'm a little freaked out at how upset I am about it too. 

taylormillgirl

Ah, the dreaded nursing strike! What happens when you make the bottle unavailable? Will he nurse then?

ML*

Grace went through this same thing about 3 weeks ago.  She didn;t even want to try b/c she knew she could get a bottle and nursing was too much work.  I was also surprised at how hurt it made me feel.  I finally decided that if it was time to quit then that's what I would have to do b/c it wasn't worth the frustration that both her and I were going through.  I started to give her a bottle and then nurse her for just a little bit.  Once the formula took the edge off her hunger she was willing to nurse for a few minutes.  Now I can nurse her for about 5 minutes and then give her a bottle and she doesn't freak out b/c she has learned that she will get a bottle too.  This morning I was actually able to nurse enough that I didnt have to give her a bottle.  I think both her and I were able to relax a little more and my body adjusted. 

Maybe you could try to give him a few ounces of formula and then nurse.  Is it possible that he has a cold and it's hard for him to breath when he nurses?  Do you think he could be teething early?

teacherjess

I'm sorry you are going through this! I had a friend whose son did this at 7 months and didn't go back for almost a week. Hang in there!

JLPT830

We just went through this a few weeks ago.  This is what worked for us....

-make sure you are using a slower flowing nipple on the bottle.  We found out the sitter was poking holes in the nipples and DS was too used to the milk coming fast from the bottle.

-try to nurse before he gets frantic with hunger.  We would go in a quiet room and play soft music in the background.  Also, lots of skin to skin contact helps.

-I think he was having a lot of teething pain too.  Is that a possibility?  The LC recommended letting him chew on a teething ring before nursing. 

-My first pp AF just came and I think ovulation was coinciding with our nursing strike.  I really think this affected my milk supply and DS "sensed" a change in my hormones.

He is totally back to normal now.  Good luck.  I was an emotional wreck for about a week and that didn't help the situation either.  I actually got some really great advice from the BF contacts at Medela and from the LCs at Mercy Anderson.  Barb is wonderful!  I have the number if you want it.  Hang in there!