6 m/o DS refuses to BF! I've tried everything...

[PiperLime]

My DS refuses to nurse, he stopped a few days ago. We were nursing every 3-4 hours and he started eating solids a month ago because he wasn't getting enough and was always hungry.

He occasionally had a bottle when I needed some time to myself but that never seemed to get in the way. When I try now, he just turns away or gets mad! I've been pumping and bottle feeding him.

I can't figure it out, is he just done? Is there any way I can get him to be interested again? I've tried different positions, being somewhere that there aren't any distractions, getting it to let down before putting him on, nothing works! I am mourning this, I was hoping to nurse him for years... TIA for your advice!

[PatioGardener]

This sounds like a nursing strike. They are tough for Mama and Baby, but with some work baby almost often gets back to the breast.

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

Edited by PatioGardener - 7/25/11 at 9:48am

[sosurreal09]

Check out the above link! He is not done, he's waaayyy too young to be self weaning here!

Was he nursing every 3-4 hours on a schedule or did he just nurse then? Why did you feel "he just wasn't getting enough" which led you to introduced solids?

I would stop offering the bottle and see what happens. He is probably just favoring the flow of the bottle nipple b/c it is faster, switch to a slower nipple at least!

[Megan73]

Hugs, mama.
I just wanted to add that you're doing exactly the right thing by pumping - protecting your supply - while your babe gets back to the breast. Kellymom.com does have some great tips on getting baby back to the breast.
Hang in there!