17 month old suddenly won't nurse

[Chamsia]

Teething pain perhaps?  It's so strange--he will put the nipple in his mouth but will not latch on. 
 

He nursed normally late yesterday morning.  But thereafter and all through the night the little dude would not latch on.  In the wee hours I pumped and he drank the milk from a cup.  So it's not the milk itself.  Something about sucking, I suppose?  Usually he nurses to sleep at bedtime, and then again after a night waking.  Last night there was little sleep to be had.  He did latch on very briefly around 4:30 and then slept for a short time.  But when he awakens he is not soothed by nursing as usual.  And now he will only sleep on my back, which is no good for me---the dude is heavy and I have a bad back.  Sigh.

I nursed his sister for 2 1/2 years and never had this happen.

Anyone have any experience or insight, or even guesses?

Thanks.

[APToddlerMama]

Ear infections can make sucking hurt.  I don't really have any other ideas.  My DS did the same thing around this age but it was more of a strike because I had screamed when he bit me.  He refused to nurse for 24 hours and the way I got him back on was to nurse him while he was asleep.  Good luck. 

[Chamsia]

Thanks APToddlerMama! 

An ear infection may well be involved, though the li'l dude has had plenty of those without this nonsense.  So I am guessing perhaps an ear infection and molars at the same time...who knows?  I just pray he'll come back to latching soon.  Pumping is no fun, and so stupid when he is right there with me!

I'll start with garlic in his ears in case of infection tomorrow (meant to tonight, but he actually fell asleep thank God!)

Another friend assured me that both her kids have refused to nurse periodically.  He is 17 months so it wouldn't be the end of the world if he weaned himself, but I don't feel ready for that.  And he comes to the breast.  And he gladly drinks the pumped milk from a cup.  So I'm hopeful that he is not weaning.

Must sleep while I can.  Thanks again.  Everyone ele's thoughts/inputs/ideas/insights welcome and appreciated too!

[SaraMum]

My 17 month old stopped bfing last week and I am still pumping as much as I can hoping he will "restart" but he seems to be pretty adamant that he's done, did your LO resume?

[Chamsia]

Hello!  I am happy to report that ds returned to nursing about 36 hours later.  All the while he would go on my breast (so I wasn't too scared he was weaning); he just would not latch.  I did pump--and he happily guzzled the milk from a cup.  But I didn't pump as much as he would have nursed, and now I have a blocked duct.  Ugh.  Thank God for phytolacca and cabbage leaves!

Thanks so much for your help, mamas.

SaraMum, if your wee one is done I wish you a peaceful transition.  And if not, may the nursing restart soon!