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October 2015 Moms
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Nursing strike ;-( please help!

bakerwoman1bakerwoman1 member
edited March 2016 in October 2015 Moms
Hi! Need some ideas/tips... LO is 4 months, he's been supplemented with formula from a bottle since 4 days old because I have low supply. The last two days he has been refusing to nurse...he'll cry and won't even attempt to latch, turns head away, pulls his entire body back. I'll give up and just give him a bottle and then will pump (I'll get about 3oz, so he would get some breast milk if he tried). Is there anything I can do? It's crushing to have him flat out refuse when I try so hard to give him what I can.
TTC #1 Since July 2014 
 BFP 7.25.14~ EDD 4.8.15 
MMC 9.22.14 @ 11w5d Baby Measured 8w2d
Two failed doses of Misoprostal  D&C 9.25.14
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Re: Nursing strike ;-( please help!

  • meganraschkemeganraschke member
    I'm in the same boat here. Following for anyone else's advice. Although I have noticed lately my LO seems to pull away/arch his back with the formula bottles too. So I'm not sure my issue is specific to nursing 
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  • kdoak2015kdoak2015 member
    My DD is 3 months and has been doing the same things for a while. It sucks, we also supplement with formula. My DD will suck a few times and pull off because it doesn't come out right away and cry. A few things that have worked for me: pump or hand express a bit before she gets on so the let down is ready when she sucks. 
    Or I walk around holding her in cradle hold at the breast and bounce/distract her and she sometimes will go on. 
    I was recommended to pace feed but I really don't "get" pace feeding, my baby gets to much air and spits up.
    Stick to it momma she'll come back around.
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  • Lindsaym5!Lindsaym5! member
    Lurking from feb16. With my first I went through a couple of nursing strikes and I know how hard and upsetting they can be. Kellymom has some great advice for this. Do your best to be patient and not stress. I had great success with nursing him while he was drowsy. Plenty of skin to skin as well. And don't give up. It lasted 2 days each time for me but I have friends who've had much worse and were able to maintain their nursing relationship. 

    https://kellymom.com/ages/newborn/nb-challenges/back-to-breast/
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  • dwaldropdwaldrop member
    I went through a nursing strike about a month ago. I'm pretty sure it was the beginning pain from teething. It lasted a day and a half it was so disheartening. 
    He would take my breast milk in a bottle which usually came out of the fridge so the nipple was cold. 
    He nursed before bed and once overnight. Then tried to strike again the next morning. I would start with a bottle then offer the breast after he took in a little. That worked for us by midday he was over his strike.
    It was also suggested to try giving him a cold teething toy first to help numb the gums a little. 
    I also took a bath with him to calm him and get some skin to skin contact. I think that helped. It helped me calm down a little. It was a long stressful day.
    Just stay calm. Remember they aren't refusing you just the breast. I say that because I know I was feeling quite rejected. 
    Good luck stay strong mommas!
    Baby Riker - 10/20/15 11:46pm 7lbs 9oz 21in
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