Went back to work - baby refusing breast

[Cassaba]

I have an almost 4 month old daughter. I went back to work part-time (1/2 days) when she was 2 months old and back to work full-time last week. When I went back part-time, we started giving her bottles of breast milk when I was gone, and I fed her from the breast when home. Since I've gone back full-time, I have struggled to feed her directly from the breast after work and on weekends. During her 2-3 overnight feedings, she is fine with it. She's usually half asleep. But when she is awake, she latches and pulls off repeatedly, fusses and even refuses sometimes. But if we give her a bottle of expressed milk, she sucks it right down. So this has been frustrating. To be honest, it is easier on me right now to just pump and feed her from the bottle instead of fighting with her. Does anyone have any suggestions? Fortunately, my milk supply is holding up and I'm able to express enough milk while at work and home to meet her needs. How important is it that the milk come directly from my breast? We are not vaxing yet, so we want to give her every possible advantage. Thanks in advance!

[PatioGardener]

It sounds like you are facing a partial nursing strike.

Hang in there - it is worth working through. The exclusively pumping moms I have talked to would not recommend EPing unless it is the only option - it is hard hard work to keep up long term.

Here is some good info from kellymom: http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/baby/back-to-breast.html

and some info on pace feeding to reduce bottle preference: http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/bottle-feeding.html

[Mosaic]

My first daughter did the same thing and it was awful, so I know exactly how you feel. About a month later, 2 teeth popped out and life was grand again. I would really, really encourage you to hang in there. As a working mom, nursing is such a great way to connect with your baby! Here is what I would suggest:

1) check if there are any teeth coming in or any reason for oral pain.
2) Try to stimulate the let-down so that she gets the milk faster when she first nurses.
3) Try different nursing positions in case she prefers something a little different, such as nursing while walking around, in the bathtub, laying down, sitting up, upside down (ok, not really, but you get the idea)

I'd also make sure there isn't anything else going on like gas or reflux which can make typical nursing positions uncomfortable.

Most of all, try try try not to let it get to you. I was so upset when my baby wouldn't nurse, and my anxiety and worry just made it worse. Keep in mind that nursing strikes are typically short-lived and are very common. The kellymom advice is great, and you can always come here for more support.