Breastfeeding and Nursing Strikes

by LisaC

First off, we probably need to outline what a nursing strike is. A nursing strike normally occurs after a baby has been nursing well for some time. All of the sudden (usually) one the infant will refuse to nurse. Why? Well there are some well known and obvious causes for it, and sometimes no one is really sure.

The idea behind surviving a nursing strike is to outlast it, maintain the milk supply and of course ensure that baby is staying adequately hydrated. In cases where the cause of the nursing strike is guessed or known then proactive steps can be taken. In other cases, well mom just has to outlast the problem and eventually coax the baby back to nursing.

One of the reasons a baby might go on a nursing strike could be poor positioning. Yes, position, position, position is the litany of lactation consultants, doctors, and internet resources and it’s valid.

Think about this; If you were forced to eat your meals with your bottom sliding off the chair, chances that it would probably inhibit your appetite. You are an adult and of course might get up and get another chair or reposition the existing one, but a baby has no such recourse. The sensation of falling is not comfortable and does little for the appetite. So first off ensure the baby is held securely and that there is a good latchon. It’s important because how you hold the baby is their “chair” during meal times and can affect how secure they feel.

Let’s say that the positioning and latchon are perfect, baby is secure and comfy during nursing but is still on strike. This is very worrisome to the breastfeding mother. Mom might then check baby and see if he has tender or sore spots say from a fall or an immunization. Sometimes the feeding position can be irritating these..

Pacifiers have been cited as culprits in nursing strikes. If baby has been using his pacifier a lot then try backing off on it. Bottle feeding is a necessity with working moms and if this is a suspected culprit then try cuddling time prior to feeding. Working moms have little choice in using bottles as they are absent during feeding time for at least part of the day.

Sometimes no cause for the nursing strike can be found. Everything was going just fine and the next day, baby is on strike. There are a few tips that might get you through this trying period.

Coax the baby, don’t force and don’t turn feeding time into a battle of wills or a test of patience for you or your baby. The baby is on strike and this can be a real worry but if baby is still having the correct number of wet diapers per day you can easily outlast this. If baby becomes upset after being offered the breast then try something else for a little while, or get another family member to hold and play with him. If mom becomes upset, same thing, take a break then return to feeding attempts after mom calms down. Breastfeeding is a pleasure for both mom and baby it should not be stressful on either.

Take heart, nursing strikes generally only last a few days to a week. An idea that might work is the instant reward method where a little expressed milk is drizzled over the nipple so baby gets a taste even before letdown occurs.

Take care of your milk supply. Ok, baby is on strike but your breasts are not, and you don’t want them to be. Instead use a breast pump the empty both breasts. Doing this will not only store up extra milk for your baby but will keep your breasts from becoming engorged and your breast milk supply from possibly decreasing. Freeze the pumped breast milk as it will most certainly be needed at some point and time.

If baby exhibits symptoms of dehydration, like insufficient urine output and few wet diapers, or dark yellow urine then it is time to consult a pediatrician.

Not every baby goes on a nursing strike but for those who do, it’s possible for mom to ride it out and maintain that precious milk supply.