8 month old nursing strike...suggestions?

[learnlovebe]

Hi all,
A good friend of mine is going through her first nursing strike. She's starting to freak out a little and is afraid her dr (and her husband, also a dr) is going to insist on supplementing w/ formula soon.
I've told her to try:
1) offereing the breast before any cereal or babyfood
2) nursing in a quiet location w/o distractions, possibly w/ lights dimmed (he's becoming more easliy distracted).
3) pumping for any missed feedings to keep up her milk supply.

Is there anything I'm missing?
I would like to give her more information/support.

Here's the info I know:
Her ds is just getting over an ear infection.
He's down to nursing just 3 times a day- first thing in the morning, just before bed, and at 1 am (this one is new).
This has only been going on for a few days, but he's already lost weight (he is though, just getting over a nasty ear infection that REALLY upset his nursing/sleeping/eating schedule last weekend and early this week).
She does feed him cereal and babyfood at least twice a day.


Any suggestions would be MUCH appreciated!

[PatioGardener]

Hugs to your friend and her baby!

Here are some other suggestions:
-No pacifiers or bottles - breastmilk in an open cup will help him heal from the ear infection and provide fluids/hydration
-Offer often and keep her breasts accessible - bath with baby, cuddle topless when possible.
-try offering in new places and new positions - on the floor while playing, with baby standing up etc.
-offer with no stress if baby refuses. It's hard to look nonchalant about it, but the no-stress approach helps.
-treating the ear infection pain may help baby to nurse too

And pump pump pump to keep up supply! There is no reason to introduce formula when baby can have breastmilk from an open cup.

[pazerific]

yes to all that and tell her to check out kellymom.com

[LadyCatherine185]

I am wondering why he is only nursing 3 times a day? That seems like nowhere near enough for an 8 month old....

Definitely offering a LOT. Take a BF'ing vacation day in bed with her LO, both topless. Lots of skin-to-skin. Lots of offering to nurse.

Good luck!

[Macnamara]

My DS went on a mini strike. He would nurse fine when he was sleeping.

[Anna's Lovey]

the ergo baby carrier helped me a lot because i could just carry my lo around and nurse at the same time so she stayed at the breast longer instead of getting destracted by other things

[BreezyMom]

My 8-month-old is also going through a nursing strike lately because of a stuffy nose. A variation of the skin to skin contact that worked for me: my dd will nurse like crazy if a take a bath with her. It calms her right down.