Sierra is breaking my heart (again). She’ll nurse in the middle of the night, early morning and when she’s sleepy. But if she’s wide awake and hungry? Forget it! She’ll scream the minute I put her into the side-lying position, and she generally only tolerates being held at any time of the day. Why? Why? Why? My poor baby! She doesn’t want to be held by me! Is she mad at me? Does she not trust me? What’s going on with her?
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According to the La Leche League website:
If your baby or toddler has been breastfeeding well and suddenly refuses to nurse, it is probably what is called a “nursing strike” rather than a signal that it’s time to wean.
Sometimes the cause of a nursing strike is obvious, but other times the mother may never discover the reason. Some common causes for a baby to refuse to nurse include:
- mouth pain from teething, an injury, a cold sore, or a fungus infection, such as thrush,
- an ear infection, which may cause pressure or pain while nursing,
- pain while being held in the nursing position, perhaps due to an immunization or an injury,
- a cold or stuffy nose that makes breathing difficult while nursing,
- too many bottles, overuse of a pacifier, or frequent thumbsucking, which may lead to a reduced milk supply,
- regular distractions and interruptions while nursing,
- You reacted strongly when your baby bit you, and the baby was frightened
- an unusually long separation from mother.
After her immunizations on Thursday (and subsequent hospital visit) she’s been very reluctant to nurse. Her thighs were very tender after the immunizations, and one thigh swelled up like a balloon. BUT she may also be responding to an incident that happened a week ago – she bit me – I screamed – OW! – and it scared the crap outta her – she immediately began to howl. The poor thing. We’ve been having issues ever since, and the immunizations has made it worse. Tonight I put her to bed by pumping a fresh bottle and then slowly transitioning her from taking the bottle from me without me holding her, then me moving closer to her and stroking her face and tummy, then me picking her up and putting her in the sidelying position (she then began to howl), I put the bottle back in her mouth, and all was good.
Arrrgh! Another nursing problem to deal with! First we were unable to begin a breastfeeding relationship because Sierra “had a small jaw” and I had flat nipples (I still do). I expressed milk for her and she fed from a bottle. After 3 weeks we were able to transition to breastfeeding. Then, there was the whole milk supply issue, and now this! I guess this is just another obstacle for me to overcome, as I really want Sierra to regain her security in being near me and being held. It breaks my heart to have her cry harder when I pick her up. So here’s the game plan:
- Begin co-sleeping tonight.
- Attempt to breastfeed in the night, morning and prior to naps.
- Slowly transition her into a side-lying breastfeeding position – don’t pressure her, or offer the breast unless she shows a willingness to take it.
- If she refuses the breast, calmly offer a bottle.
- Try bottle feeding chest to chest
- Co-bathe
- And finally… Remain calm and soothing to Sierra at all times!
Has anyone else weathered this storm? Anyone got any advice?
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wow I don’t think that has ever ever happened to me. I can’t remember anyway…well teething always plays a role…by surely Sierra is still too little (got help you).
I do have a tidbit on co-sleeping. My sister began co-sleeping with her little one when he was an infant…and now? He’s 2yrs old and CANNOT…no no…WILL NOT sleep alone…nor will he fall asleep alone…I am sure he is an extreme case…but…keep it in mind….don’t go off the deep end like she did…imagine? What the hell is she going to do when he’s 5? She has NO plans on weaning him from her bed. On the other hand…Noah slept with us when he was a infant…and off and on for his first year…and then he just kicked me in the face one too many times and I evicted him…he was fine with it…didn’t ever really seem to bother him.
Ok…nevermind..I was no help….I’m sorry….good luck..kiss Sierra for me.
So sorry you are having trouble, Marie, but it sounds like you have hit right on the cause of the problem. Your plan is sound to me. And its tough to fix a relationship when only one of you can talk. Hang in there, I think you are on the right track.
Sorry Sierra is on a strike…I found the side lying nursing position very calming and effective when Kaitlyn was still on the boob! I hope it works! Pam is right, it could be teeth?
Konnor totally went on a strike too after his shots.
I keep forgetting to tell you this stuff.
I only fully figured it out after he had his second round of shots. I also think the Tempra bunged him up a little.
Hang in there – she will feed again on her own – promise. It would take him about a week to get back on track.
Also – maybe side lying hurts her leg from the needle. Good luck.
Keep on trying- it does sound like its those shots. Mine typically nursed more when teething rather than less for the soothing. Hope she gets through this soon!
I haven’t been through a strike, but the babe bit me recently and I scared the bejesus outta the poor thing. I must tell you again how much I admire your perserverence. You are my breastfeeding role model!!