Suddenly stopped nursing - getting sick

[pumpkin]

DD is 23 months. She still nurses like a newborn some days. We are till stuck with a nipple shield. She occasionally latches without it, but then realize it is missing and gets one.

Last night she went to nurse to sleep and as she latched got upset. It turns put there was a little soap residue on the nipple shield. We washed it really well, but she wouldn't latch again. I eventually convinced her cuddling would be an acceptable substitute and she fell asleep. She didn't make it through the night though and woke up early asking for milk. She won't latch with or without the nipple shield. I gave her a cup, but she keeps asking for the breast. Yet she won't nurse.

If she wants to wean I am ok with that. She is certainly old enough. This dramatic action doesn't seem like weaning though. I mean yesterday afternoon she had a 1.5 hour nursing session and now nothing.

[pumpkin]

And now I'm not feeling well. My limbs are heavy and i'm alternating chills and sweats. I pumped a bit and that seemed to help, but I don't get much for the pump so it just took the edge off. I think my milk supply is way too prolific for this sudden nursing stoppage.

[CheriK]

Sounds like a nursing strike to me. 

More info: http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/baby/back-to-breast.html, http://www.llli.org/NB/NBstrikes.html.

I'd check her mouth really well, also.  It almost sounds like she could have a sore or wound in her mouth that made the soap on the shield uncomfortable and is making nursing painful.

Will she nurse in her sleep?  Often, this is a good way to empty your breasts and coax nursling back to the breast - offer when she's in a light sleep or just waking/falling asleep.  If she prefers the shield, then you'll probably want to use that.

If she's still refusing, definitely you'll need to express milk to keep yourself comfortable and to prevent mastitis.  Do you know self-care for a plugged duct or mastitis?