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Nursing Strike/bottle over me

elle40elle40 member
in Breastfeeding

My daughter is BF evenings/overnight and given bottled EBM fed while I am at work.  About 2 weeks ago, when she is hungry, she started refusing the breast and crying.  If I fix a bottle, she will take that with no problem.  I can often get her to nurse after an ounce of bottled milk.  (I'm only having a problem when she is fully awake.  If I can nurse her as soon as she awakes from a nap, she will still nurse in the dark.)

 I've tried: nursing in the dark with no distractions, nipple shield, washing my nipple before offering it to her, spending time chest to chest to encourage feeding, using a faster bottle nipple (so she wouldn't like it, and prefer my flow), etc.  

Any suggestions I haven't tried? It is ridiculous to be pumping when I am at home with her!  Really feeling rejected..nursing is our special time together. :(

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Re: Nursing Strike/bottle over me

  • bellelambbellelamb member
    Where you using the slowest flow nipple possible?? Babies like the ease of a faster flow bottle and sometimes get impatient if your letdown takes any time.

    Also you can try hand expressing to get a letdown before offering it to her.
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  • MaggieF516MaggieF516 member
    My little guy has done this on and off since he was born so you aren't alone!!  I had to exclusively pump the first two weeks after he was born.  I try to massage my breasts to get the flow going and also if it is really an issues, I will pump to get letdown going and then start to nurse.  I find I have better luck if I try when he is not starving, basically before he is showing any signs of hunger. If he is hungry/fussy, he doesn't want to do it at all.
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  • dackelynndackelynn member
    I'm experiencing the same thing!! My daughter is nearly 3 months and it's been going on for two weeks or so. I haven't fixed the problem entirely but it's gotten better. Like you, I catch her when she's just woken up. I try and squeeze out some milk in the beginning. One place she did want to nurse was in the bath, so try hopping in the tub with her! I hope it gets better, good luck!
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