Help! Refusing to nurse!

rp-chicago-mom

We have had a terrible day. Howell refused the breast and screamed for three hours this morning. We finally decided to try a walk in the stroller and the moment we set him down, he passed out. We didn't even leave because we didn't want to disturb him under any circumstances.

I pumped because I didn't know what to do about the missed feeding. By the time he woke up, it had been eight hours without eating. He started whimpering to eat but the moment his lips touched my breast he'd turn away and get hysterical. H walked him around the apartment until he calmed down. I took him back and let him feel around for my breast like a newborn. He ate well. The rest of the day he asked to eat and I fed him just fine.

Now we are post bath and we just had a strike again. H walked him, he came back and crawled to the breast. Now he is peacefully nurse/dozing. I can't feel any bumps to indicate teeth. He has no fever. I did leave him twice last week with a bottle. Could that be it? I just don't get why something that has been such a comfort has become such a problem. What gives?

babyike

Nursing strikes are more common as LOs get older, so I'm sorry you're having to struggle with it so early!  DS2 has "mini strikes" anytime we give him a bottle, so I've EBFed since birth except for those 2 pesky instances.  It's possible it was the bottle, but more likely it's just a phase your LO is struggling with.  

Other possibilities include an ear infection or sore throat/stuffy nose.  Has LO had a cold recently?   

Maizey06

The LC at the new moms group told another woman that LOs can go on nursing strikes and to just go along with their signals.  If they do not want the breast, go to the bottle but eventually they should come back to the breast like nothing happened.  Good luck!  I know how heartbreaking it is to have a screaming baby.

DemoDoll

Dd has been on a nursing strike all weekend except for during the MOTN feedings, where she sleeps/nurses. Being a 4 day weekend and her screaming non stop, I haven't had many chances to pump. I'm pretty sure my milk is drying up because I'm going 12 hours of no pumping or feeding and I'm not engorged. I don't have advice, but I know how you feel. It crushes me when she turns and screams at the breast when she usually uses me as a way of comfort.

latnprincess

Does he have a stuffy nose?  Because when they can't breathe, its hard for them to eat.  It could also be a sore throat as PP said.  I know lately it seems when LO is upset he doesn't want anything and he won't nurse either.  I have to walk him around, calm him down, and then try again.  If he still doesn't want it, I wait a bit, and offer again maybe 30 minutes later.  Or wait for the cues, like the hand sucking and clicking tongue.  Hope your strike doesn't last long!!!

CGorgz

This was DD last week to a T. I read somewhere to do some serious amounts of skin to skin so we did that for about 3 hours and instead of her bath being in her baby tub, I read to take a bath with baby to help end the strike. We took around a 20 minute bath with help of DH and the next morning she was back to normal. I don't know if what we did helped or she just ended it but give it a try!

rp-chicago-mom

We did a little skin to skin and that did seem to help. I have a slightly sore throat so I wonder if he does too. Not that I want him to be sick but I do hope it's something fleeting like that.