[winnie]

Hi all,

We're going through some sort of nursing strike right now. I haven't figured out what the cause of it is, but have posted here (in breastfeeding) about it. For the past few weeks, DS has been less and less interested in nursing. It started with him just turning his head and pushing away with his hands on occassion, to today, where the ONLY time I can get him to nurse at all is when he is half asleep, laying down beside me. He hasn't nursed sitting in my lap in over a week (so it's impossible to take him anywhere, since I can't always find a place to lay down with him).

I've been starting to try different things to get more breastmilk in him. Yesterday I offered to nurse, he cried, so then I pumped and fed him a couple ounces with a medicine dropper. He was happy, and actually wanted it...which makes me think maybe sucking is causing him pain? Then last night we did something that I read mixed reviews about on here, gave him a bit of cereal for the first time (only 1/2 tbsp cereal to 3 tbsp b.milk, so VERY weak). He was all over that, and seemed happy for the first time in a LONG time afterwards.

Anyways, getting to my main question...usually by morning his (disposible) diaper is very heavy. This morning there wasn't much in there, likely the lightest overnight diaper he's ever had. He has less wet diapers than usual in the day too, and I'm starting to feel his soft spot recessed once in a while.

What can I do about this? I am offering the breast LOTS, but it just makes him mad. He screams and throws himself back, arching away from me. He may be teething, but we didn't have any of this last time he was teething. I've been reading on reflux...possibly?? How do we tell? (His doctor is on holidays, conveniently).

Should I give him water? He has a sippy, but won't suck on it. I have just been trying to tip some into his mouth, or use the medicine dropper.

Any advice is appreciated!
winn

 

[ssolberg99]

Sorry you are going through this...I would be worrying just like you. I don't have much advice, but personally, I would not offer water because I would want babe to get nutrition when he does decide to eat. And if the dropper works, maybe just keep offering the breast but if he refuses then the dropper (so he is getting something). In the end, trust your instincts...you know your babe the best.

 

[North_Of_60]

We had major supply issues in the begining, and at one point, she only had two wet diapers (that was when supplementation began, which she no longer needs). Anyway, leading up to that point our doctor said that the number of diapers was not necessarily the issue. It was what they looked and smelled like. Obviously if they were very yellow and stinky, that most likely meant dehydration (especially in lower numbers).

We still watched diapers, and idealy we wanted 5-6, but if there was 3 or 4 and they were clear with no odor we were not too concerned.

If his diapers are clear and don't have an odor, I would not be overly alramed. Obviously you WANT to get BM into him, and I would keep doing what you're doing and just watch what does come out.

I'm not sure how many dipes they need at this age, though. Perhaps someone else can chime in with that one? We're also going through something similar, though I think it's a tooth. I can now feel a small bump, though I can't see it. I've started pumping again because her diaper output has sort of dipped. It's soo stressful, I feel your pain.

 

[sunnysideup]

Do you have a LLL group nearby? A Leader would have experience helping moms get a reluctant nurser back to breast. There is no substitute for the in-person support and advice, and a Leader can tell you if it is time to worry--seeing the baby would be a big help.

Some ideas for getting baby nursing again: it can help to nurse in the sling while in motion, like walking or swaying; lots of skin-to-skin contact with baby; no pacifiers or bottles.