why won't she eat?

[dosergirl]

so, dd is 8 weeks and has always been a really great eater. she latches well and gets plenty to eat. but the past two times today that i have tried to feed her, she will not latch. i know she is hungry, to the point where she is screaming, but she will not eat. i have had to pump (i don't have a stored supply) and feed her a bottle twice. what gives? nothing is different today then any other day. i'm starting to worry because it happened twice.

[PatioGardener]

Sounds like a nursing strike. Here is some kellymom info:
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/...to-breast.html

And some more info: http://www.breastfeed-essentials.com/nursingstrike.html

And here: http://www.llli.org/FAQ/strike.html

Keep offering, Mama! You'll get through this.

[dosergirl]

thanks for responding. she did actually eat eventually and was fine all night. she is always a way better eater at night. but i am still worried, of course.

[PatioGardener]

That is super news - hopefully the strike is now over (or never completely started) and you two can get back to your regular nursing routine!

[pumpkinhead]

How often does she get bottles and is the nipple a "newborn flow"? It could be so called "nipple confusion". Basically, a baby who gets regular bottles soon figures out that it is easier to get milk from a bottle than a breast and may start to develop a bottle preference.

Also, a frantically hungry baby sometimes doesn't nurse well. You might try feeding her a good 15 minutes before she is actually hungry. That way she's not starving and can take her time .