Help! My baby is on a nursing strike.

How can you tell that your baby or toddler is having a nursing strike?

You will know your baby or toddler is having a nursing strike because she will refuse to latch for multiple feedings in a row. One missed or delayed feeding is not considered a nursing strike.

How does a nursing strike differ from true weaning?

It is rare that a baby just suddenly stops breastfeeding. Typically when babies naturally wean themselves from the breast they are over 18 months and the process is gradual.

What causes a nursing strike?

First, you want to try and identify what is causing the nursing strike. Check for signs of illness, cold, or flu. Look inside of your baby’s mouth for any cold sores, cuts, signs of yeast infection (thrush). Check your baby for signs of injury or a reason he may not want to lay in a certain position. Think if there was a recent time when the baby was overfed or force-fed at the breast or f from a bottle. Was there a recent event while nursing… a loud noise or raising your voice that may have startled your baby?
Should you pump if your child refuses to breastfeed? How can you keep your supply up during this time, and why is it important to do so?

The most important thing during the nursing strike is to feed your baby. When your baby may have been exclusively or mostly breastfed up until the nursing strike, it can be emotional for you to come to the conclusion that you may have to give your baby a bottle. Prolonged nursing strikes, without bottle supplementation, can lead to underfeeding and dehydration. You can always work on getting your baby back to the breast, and most babies who are on strike do return, but hydration must be the priority.

If your child refuses to latch for more than one feeding, it is important to pump for stimulation to maintain milk supply. When your breast is emptied and your nipples stimulated at regular intervals (every 2-3 hours for the average baby), your brain gets the signal to maintain your milk supply. If you go a longer time frame between milk removals than your baby usually nurses, you may become more prone to plugged ducts or mastitis. You should pump at any times your baby would normally latch. You can use the milk you pump in a bottle, to feed to your infant.

What are some techniques that can be used to get your child back to breastfeeding?

The most helpful advice I give moms when their baby is having a nursing strike is to take a deep breath and remain calm. A nursing strike can be stressful. When babies feel the stress or tension in their mother, they can also experience stress making getting them back to breastfeeding more challenging. The calmer you are the more likely your baby is to latch

Pushing or forcing a baby who is refusing to latch onto the breast, can actually worsen their aversion to latching. If your baby becomes fussy, pushing away from the breast or closing their lips tight stop trying to latch at this time.

Try one of these tactics to coax her to the breast:

• Change of scenery: go outside, move to another room, change positions

• Change of position: try latching in a new or different position, walk around and offer the breast

• Offer the breast at a non-feeding time: after feedings, when sleepy, when relaxed, when playing, for comfort

• Spend time near the breast: do skin-to-skin, wear your baby in a sling or wrap, bottle feed in the nursing position

• Try swaddling or unswaddling your baby when offering the breast

• Give a partial bottle and then attempt to latch

 What should you do if nothing seems to be working?

If none of the usual tricks are encouraging your baby to latch, give it time. Continue to maintain your milk supply through pumping and offer positive experiences at or near the breast a few times per day. Talk with your lactation consultant or pediatrician.

Have concerns that your baby may be having a nursing strike? Talk with one of our lactation consultants today!

I am a registered nurse in the State of Florida and an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). The content on this blog page is for informational and educational use only. I have taken reasonable steps to ensure that the information shared is accurate, but I cannot guarantee that it is free from errors. The information shared here does not take the place of a medical provider, nor establishes any kind of client relationship with myself as a registered nurse or a lactation consultant. I am not your IBCLC or RN unless you book a consult with me directly and we establish a patient/caregiver relationship.