Nursing strike. Help needed

[heather.rn]

My son is 7 months old. He always nursed like a champ. Then Wednesday happened.

He woke up and nursed like any other day. After his nap that morning he woke up and flat out refused the boob. Wouldn't even put it in his mouth. He arches his back and screams.

He is getting his 2nd and 3rd tooth right now so I assume that is the problem. We actually had his 6 mth checkup Monday and his ears were fine so I don't think that is it.

So what do I do? He will not even try to eat. I am pumping but I don't get near enough when I pump. A can maybe get 3 oz each time. I know he gets more because when I hand express more keeps coming, the pump just doesn't get it all. I've tried feeding him lying down, standing up, in the dark, when he's sleepy, etc. All he does is freak out.

I do not want to pump for 5 more months but I wanted to BF till a year. I'm so upset I could (and do) cry. What is the average time frame for a nursing strike?

TIA

[pdxmomazon]

I couldn't read and not post. I'm sorry this is happening to you and your baby! I also pump poorly and a nursing strike scares me! I hope he decides to come back to the boob soon!

[alegna]

The general list of nursing strike tips:

no other sucking- no pacifiers, bottles, sippy cups
no other milk

offer often- in favorite places and positions and new ones
offer in the tub together
cosleep and offer while sleeping

If baby isn't nursing at all- give pumped milk by alternate feeding method- cup feeding, syringe feeding, finger feeding, etc.

good luck!

-Angela

[aimeesmama]

That is so tough! I so feel for you!

I see you posted this a few days ago, (I haven't checked the boards in a while), so I hope things have sorted themselves out by now. Your teething theory sounds like it may very well be (or was?) what's going on. Please keep us posted!

Alegna gave some great advice. My DD went on her first nursing strike at about 8 months due to an ear infection. I got a big medicine dropper type thing to give her pumped milk in to get her through as she wasn't eating solid foods yet. I found that when I nursed her while she was sitting upright in my lap she was o.k.

I know this is frustrating and scary and emotional and just really really hard. Hang in there, and let us know how things are going! :

[benjamins mommy]

I'm going through almost the same thing right now also. My son is 6 months old in a couple of days and for the past few days he's been refusing the boob. It's not all day though, it's only at certain times. He arches his back and screams or he'll latch on for a few minutes and then start screaming. It gets so upsetting and frustrating too, I'm sorry you're having to go through it too. I try not to get too upset because I know he'll feed off my energy either way with me being frustrated or sad. I think my son is getting his first teeth and that may be the situation with him. Pumping doesn't work with me either especially because I only have a handheld. I do my best to soothe him and eventually he'll take the boob again, it's random times. Some days it's different than others though and he won't take it all, and some days I don't even have a problem with him taking the boob, it's so odd. Do you have any help with family or DH? If so when you're having this problem, have someone take the baby so you can regain your confidence and let them sooth him for a bit, walk him around or take him outside, then when you feel ready to try again, go for it! Alot of people I've asked have told me don't supplement with anything else unless you MUST. You're not supposed to let them suck on anything else, however there have been times where my husband or my dad had to take him and give him a bottle because he just wouldn't give. I know how difficult it is so if you ever just need someone to vent to we're all here!