does anyone have any experience with babies who scream and refuse the breast?

Question

I am a mum of 2, my youngest is a 4 month old boy who has been fussing and screaming at the breast for the last week. it seems to occur at the day time and evening feeds and not so much the night time feeds when he is relaxed and rested. my breasts have been feeling less full of late but i am not sure if this is a result of short incomplete feeds due to his fussing or if his fussing is caused by insufficient milk supply- a case of what came first, the chicken or the egg. i have been trying to build my supply with more frequent feeds but this is being made impossible as he refuses to have them. i know there are many reasons for breast refusal which only adds to my confusion and frustration but i am reluctant to stop feeding as up until recently it has been going very well. Does anyone have any personal experience with this and how long did it take to pass??

Answer 1

Don't let your milk supply diminish because of your baby's nursing strike - rent a pump for couple of weeks. If you feed your milk to your baby via bottle and if he still refuses it, than the problem is with your milk, which could be due to the change in your diet (ex: spicy food) or hormonal change (ex: having periods). If your boy takes your milk from the bottle but objects the breasts, than the problem is with the flow or let-down. You can find great answers to flow or let-down problems at La Leche League website or at kellymom.com.

Mine 4.5 months old is currently on the strike as well, so I feel your pain. Click on my name and check my questions - my last question was exactly about what you're experiencing. The answers I got there are much much better than what I read here so far.

I hope to hear that you were successful in your attempted to latch back your baby. Good luck!

Answer 2

Don't give up! If your milk supply is low, drink mother's milk tea, I tried it and it worked. I would not recommend doing it while he's on strike though, it causes diarreah in my son. However, it gets the milk back up within 2 or 3 days. I work weird shifts, so my milk supply is constantly dropping.

Also, you say he does okay at night. Have you tried replicating those settings? Try turning out the lights in your room, and laying down with him to feed. This may help relax him a bit, and may help get rid of distractions. Babies are soooo curious and he may be busy checking out his new surroundings.

And last, but, not least...start timing his feedings. He should only be eating now every 3-4 hours. Your breasts should actually soften up a bit at this point, too. Maybe you're offering too much breast?? And maybe it's time to add in a bit of cereal. I started all of my children on it at 3 months because they were just plain hungry. They wanted too much!

If you want to get in touch with a lactation consultant, they can be reached for advice for free at most hospitals and health departments, or call your pediatrition to refer you to one.

Answer 3

Nursing strike, Don;'t worry, you can get through this, though it make take a lot of work. A baby who is truly ready to wean will almost always do so gradually, over a period of weeks or months. Babies this young do not self wean!!!

Have you seen a Lactation Consultant or a La Leche League Leader? (A LLL Leader will help for FREE and might be able to visit you at home.) http://WWW.LLL.ORG
Get advice from other breastfeeding moms at the LLL forums http://forums.llli.org/index.php

Here are some of the most common triggers of nursing strikes:

You've changed your deodorant, soap, perfume, lotion, etc. and you smell "different" to your baby.
You've been under stress (such as having extra company, traveling, moving, dealing with a family crisis).
Your baby or toddler has an illness or injury that makes nursing uncomfortable (an ear infection, a stuffy nose, thrush, a cut in the mouth).
Your baby has sore gums from teething.
You've recently changed your nursing patterns (started a new job, left the baby with a sitter more than usual, put off nursing because of being busy, etc.).
You reacted strongly when your baby bit you, and the baby was frightened.

Extra cuddling, stroking, and skin-to-skin contact with the baby can help you re-establish closeness. Some babies are more willing to nurse when they are sleepy. Sometimes it helps if you are rocking or walking around (in which case a sling or cloth carrier can be useful.) Try nursing in a quiet room with the lights dimmed to avoid distractions. You can also try to stimulate your let-down and get your milk flowing before offering the breast so the baby gets an immediate reward.

You will probably need to express your milk to avoid feeling uncomfortably full, as well as to keep up your milk supply (especially important in a nursing strike that continues for more than a day or two). You can feed the baby your milk with a cup, eye-dropper, feeding syringe, or spoon. Avoid bottles: they can cause nipple confusion.

Examine any feeding methods you use. Your baby needs to be gentled back to the breast, not forced back to the breast. Alternative feeding methods, usually avoiding the use of artificial nipples, can be an effective means of decreasing the stress associated with feeding. This may mean cup-feeding a baby in order to allow a rest from intrusive oral feeding methods.

Try nursing when your baby is asleep or very sleepy, such as during the night or, while napping.
Vary nursing positions. (see illustrations.) Some babies will refuse to nurse in one position but will take the breast in another.
Nurse when in motion.
Nurse in a quiet, darkened room or a place that is free from distractions.
Give your baby extra attention and skin-to-skin contact, which can be comforting for both of you.
When offering the breast, undress to the waist and clothe your baby in just a diaper when ever possible. Use a shawl or blanket around you if the room is chilly.
Use a baby sling or a carrier to keep the baby close between attempts to nurse.
Take warm baths together to soothe.
Sleep together in order to provide closeness and more opportunities to nurse.
mother and baby to take a bath together. The warm water seems to help both of them relax

Some of the most common reasons for an early weaning are: a baby who is getting bottles, using a pacifier heavily, or really chowing down on solids.

Another common behavior to watch out for is the busy baby who is too distracted by everything around him, and won't take time to breastfeed. This usually occurs between ages six to nine months.

Perhaps you are pregnant, and your baby is reacting to the change in the taste or quantity of your milk.


You might like to read these pages http://www.llli.org/NB/NBMayJun06p107.html
http://www.llli.org/NB/NBMarApr04p72.html

HTH and good luck to you and baby!

Answer 4

My baby is only 1 1/2 months but Ive probably come across many obstacles in bfeeding. A lactation consultant from the hospital gave me this advice....Try latching him on before hunger even strikes. Do this every feeding....1)latch him on before hes hungry 2) Pump your breast for another 10 min or so each side and store this for the next feeding.NOTE:even if nothing comes out when you pump,continue pumping as this increases your supply demand.Next time you feed him....Latch, bottle feed your prior breast milk,pump. At this stage of post-part. your milk supply sometimes decreases. If you dont have a pump W.I.C has a really comfortable one that they give you thats manual ("Avena") or you can also borrow an electric one from them. It is the most comfortable one Ive come across that actually works wonders. Also, if youd like theres this awesome herbal tea they sell it at Sun Harvest and GNC ...its called Mothers Milk and Its Yogi brand its delicious,helpful and it has lavender and chamomlie...its very realxing.

Answer 5

Hi there,
Do you have a pump? If so pump when he isn't nursing, it will help you keep up your supply. Have you taken any medications lately? Sometimes antibiotics will change the taste in the milk. Try to increase your fluid intake. Also have you noticed a change in time from when your milk lets down? It may not be your milk or your ability to produce. If you little one has a mild ear infection or cold that may also cause a problem for them.

Answer 6

Yes same thing happened to me for the first time with my third child who is now 7 months. It lasted for about 2 weeks when he was 4mo & my baby nurse told me to persist as it was a normal stage for some babies. Could you be pregnant? as this can cause a baby to refuse the breast. Just persist for another week or two. My baby is still breastfeeding extremely well & we've had no further problems. Good luck.

Answer 7

I had this same thing happen with my son when he was a newborn.
First of all, make sure that he is healthy and nothing is wrong with his mouth, throat or ears as he may be just experiencing some pain.
Second, Is he thriving? As long as he is, keep trying until you've had enough. If you've been nursing him for the past four months, he is full of goodness and could probably switch to formula.
Some kids just don't like it. He will probably grow up to be independent and strong willed.....thats what my son did. Good luck to you!

Answer 8

My son stopped feeding at four months. I think it was because I started smoking and he didn't like it in the milk. Shame on me. Try pumping and if that doesn't work then change your lifestyle, or diet.

Answer 9

just give him formula too...pump more. like after every feeding it is a supply and demand thing there is noting wrong w/ supplementing formula and he might just be done......have a glass of wine its all good

Answer 10

this happend to my grandma with her last baby. The doctor told her that the baby was reacting to her milk and it made him sick.. and she had to go to formula and he did great on it