Some mothers and babies run into breastfeeding problems,
which for lack of a better expression has been termed
a 'nursing strike'. Baby suddenly stops taking the
breast although hungry - instead she will scream and
cry and push all attempts made by her mother to nurse
her. This nursing strike seems to typically occur
around the third and later the eight month with some
variability. Fortunately it is not as common but definitely
a distress to the family concerned.
Probable reasons for Nursing
Strike
• Overactive letdown reflex
• Decreased milk supply
• Baby may have a cold - breathing through the
nose is difficult and this further puts baby off nursing.
• Baby may be teething - tender gums may hurt
from the pressure of new teeth. If she bit you your
startled reaction may have put her off nursing.
• Baby may have an earache - nursing may become
painful.
• Tensed mother will further stress her baby
who becomes too upset to nurse
• Baby may have thrush - this mouth infection
can make nursing a problem
Overactive letdown reflex
Vs Decreased milk Supply
• A good latch from the start is important as
this can be a real reason why this problem comes about
to begin with. Nursing strike can last anywhere between
a few days to a couple of weeks. Majority of cases
do not run into weeks as the problem tapers off gradually
after a week or two. In some cases it stops as suddenly
as it starts.
• As the heading indicates the problem has to
do with an abundant milk supply. When the baby goes
to the breast, the baby will cry and pull back because
of choking - too much milk too soon.
• Conversely when mothers face a decreased flow
(which seems to occur around the third month), the
baby will start to cry and pull off because he is
not getting sufficient milk despite sucking.
Why Low Milk Supply
• Mother is on birth control pill - it is best
to discontinue it.
• Mother is pregnant.
• You have been trying to train the baby to
sleep through the night hence stretching out the feeds.
It is advisable to feed the baby when he is hungry
or when he is sucking his hand.
• You are using bottles more frequently and
therefore decreasing time at the breast and thereby
decreasing milk supply.
• Emotional shock or tension can affect milk
supply.
• Mother is overdoing the chores and is left
fatigued most of the time.
• Some medications may decrease milk supply.
• Sometimes, particularly around the third month,
milk supply decreases for no apparent reason.
What Next..
• Nursing strikes resolve in due time without
much intervention; so don't try too hard by forcing
your baby as this can aggravate matters. Let your
baby suck his fist when he wants to.
• Try the baby on the breast when baby is sleepy
- this often works as he is too tired to reject. Help
by using gentle compression to keep the flow going.
• Vary your nursing positions - your baby may
prefer one you have yet to use.
• Nurse in motion - your baby may take to the
breast when you are walking around with him in your
arms
• If baby is using a pacifier let him suck it
until he is calm and sleepy then try him at the breast
• If you have plans to continue nursing don't
substitute bottle feeding right now. If his intake
worries you give baby your expressed milk with a spoon
or cup.
• Remember: even if baby is
breastfeeding only 3-4 times in a 24 hour period he
will probably keep healthy. Six wet diapers in a day
(don't have to be soaking wet) is a good indicator
baby is staying hydrated. If baby shows signs of becoming
unusually sleepy and listless, there is no harm in
consulting your doctor.
• Apply the same approach if nursing strike
occurs when baby is even older, say at 8 months. There
are more options then as older babies are eating solid
foods as well. You can always mix in your milk with
the solids. It is also consoling to know that nursing
strikes tend to be shorter this time round than at
3 months.
