Teething-related nursing strike

[veghead04]

We're on day 2 of a teething-related nursing strike. She will not nurse off of either breast. Will bite the nipple gently while watching me for a reaction. That's it. I keep offering in the hopes it will come to an end and I can put away the pump and bottles again. How long does this sort of thing last and at what point do I take her to an LC? My fear is that she won't come back to the breast.

[EmilyG]

My lo just finished a 4-day nursing strike, I think it was cold related, her nose was really stuffy. Anyway, after 4 days I decided that was enough and I took her up to the bedroom, sat on the bed in the dark where it was quiet, and tried to nurse her. Of course she screamed, arched, turned her head and refused to nurse, but this time I stood up, got her quieted back down, then sat and tried again. It took 4 or 5 times of this, but finally she nursed, not a full feeding, but enough to take the edge off her hunger at least. Two hours later we went through the whole process over again, and that time she really nursed a full feeding. She hasn't put up a fuss since then, so I think it worked!
Of course we didn't have sore gums and teeth/biting to deal with. My lo doesn't have teeth yet, but with dd#1 when she tried out her new teeth on me I'm just break her latch and say "no, no, that owies mommy" then pull my shirt down for a few seconds. Then let her try to feed again, and repeat if she'd bite.
I hope that helps, good luck!

[mama2erik]

I'm having the exact same problem, it's been about 4 days now though. He's hungry but just won't nurse. The whole thing is very disheartening

[mi_amor]

Did your LO start nursing again? My DS only nursed twice today, and he doesn't nurse at night. I hope he'll start again soon because I can't pump anything.

I'm going to try and make some lactation cookies tomorrow and see if that helps.