What is a Nursing Strike ?

A baby that has been breastfeeding / chestfeeding well suddenly refuses to nurse .It may last for a couple of days or a week and it is usually temporary.

Nursing strike happens so suddenly and most parents are frightened and upset with the refusal to feed . Babies are usually  unhappy fussy and upset by not feeding.

A baby rarely weans within the first year.

Weaning is usually gradual over weeks and months rather than abruptly.

Babies can enter a nursing strike for many reasons.

These reasons include:

• Illness

• Ear Infection

• Negative reaction to biting

• Long separation

• Easily Distractible

• Teething

• Stress

• Overstimulation

• Change in personal care products

• Recently changed nursing routine such as returning to work

• Change in the taste of breastmilk due Pregnancy or the return of your menes

HowTo Cope with a nursing strike

Many of the mothers I have seen in my lactation consultant practise in Galway all have agreed it takes time and a lot of patience to coax a baby back to breastfeeding .Most importantly advised keeping the breast a happy place not a battle field with  stress and anxiety

Other suggestions that have worked are

•  Identify the cause of the nursing strike and try and remedy or work around the  problem Seeking help from a international board certified lactation consultant @nourishboob.com can help navigate the problem using evidence based advice

• Lots and Lots of skin to skin with no pressure to breastfeed

• Co bathing relaxing in the birth

• Keep offering the breast for comfort

• Wear clothes that give easy access to the breast

• Nurse while rocking bouncing

• Keep your breastmilk supply robust by pumping either by hand or an electric pump

• Keep your baby  feed by alternative ways such as a cup ,supplementary nursing system or pace bottle feeding

Has your  baby had a nursing strike ?What helped during the nursing strike?