I have been successfully breastfeeding my baby since the past 4 months, but my baby simply refuses to breast feed now! I do not understand what went wrong and I am really worried about this. Since my baby is only 4 months old, I have not started introducing her to any foods yet. What should I do? Help me please!
Your baby has gone on a nursing strike, which is why she is refusing to take your breast. This is natural and all it needs is determination and patience to get your bay back on breast feeding. Normally, babies between the ages of 3 to 8 months go on a nursing strike. The strike may last for a few days, to up to a week which can leave you worried.
The first thing you should do is to identify the cause of this nursing strike. Babies can refuse breast feeding due to several reasons, most common of them being ear infections, teething and low milk supply. If you have been away from your baby for a while, it can also cause your baby to go on a nursing strike.
If your baby is ill, or showing signs of pain, the discomfort is often a cause of breast refusal. When the baby tries to suck at the breast, the ear infection can cause problems in sucking and swallowing. Make sure you feed your baby as frequently as possible for small intervals so your baby does not starve and consult a health care professional to take care of the infection.
If you are experiencing blocked ducts, engorged breasts, or have gone back to work, chances are that your milk supply has reduced. If you have recently introduced your baby to a pacifier or bottle, it can also lead to less milk production. Low milk supply puts off the baby each time the baby tries to suck at the breast. In such a case, it is advised to use a breast pump before nursing the baby or by massaging your breasts to increase your milk production.
Babies on a nursing strike need lots of attention and patience to get them back to nurse. You should focus on making every breastfeeding session as comfortable as possible for your baby with the least distractions, so you and your baby can divert your full attention to feeding. Frequent feedings and trying out new nursing positions can also be beneficial.