Nursing Strike!?

Question

My 3 mo old son has basically stopped eating.

It started gradually about 1-1/2 mo ago. I mentioned it at the 2mo check-up. He is only wetting 1 - 2 diapers a day. The nurse I spoke with didn't think it was a big deal. The lactation consultant says there is nothing physically wrong - that it is an emotional problem. The pediatrician is out of town until Thursday.

His birth weight was 7lb 2oz. At 2mo he was 10lb 7oz. He is almost 4 mo old and 11lb 5oz.

He is visibily thinner than a week ago.

I have no problem with using formula and have been doing that. He isn't taking bottles anymore.

All he wants to do is suck on his thumb and when we try to feed him he has a kicking, screaming angry fit.

Answer 1

It can probably wait until Thursday at this point but this is serious. Babies on nursing strikes will generally take bottles and nursing strikes rarely last long. Also they don't visibly loose weight, that would really scare me. Also the weight gain is way, way under the norm. From 0-2 months your son gained 5.9oz per week which is the low end of normal. From 2-4 months his gain is 1.8oz per week. If the weight gain for the first 2 months was really high I would be less concerned.
(here's the calculator I used: http://www.kellymom.com/babyconcerns/growth/weight-gain-calculator.html_)

But on Thursday you need to get referrals to specialists like a speech pathologist (deals with eating and swallowing), and a GI specilist, probably others.

I was also always told if a baby under 6 months doesn't wet a diaper in 6 hours go to the ER. Can you call a nurse line? Sometimes they are run by the government or in the US more commonly by insurance company.

Also if you changed anything about when this problem started particularly things like changing sleep location (ie putting the baby away from mom) or daycare or weaning the baby from a pacifier or something like that. Immediately go back to the old way.

Read these:

SHUTDOWN SYNDROME
http://www.askdrsears.com/html/10/t131200.asp

Help -- My Baby Won't Nurse!
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/baby/back-to-breast.html

Answer 2

babys do go through this but im not so sure about him not gaining weight. You need to talk to a dr. not a nurse. He may have gas or a lactose intolerant problem and need a softer formula or soy. He has continued to gain weight even if its not a lot so thats what they look for and that he does have wet diapers and a least one bowel movement everyday or two. Generally babys get stubbporn and teeth come in early and all kinds of stuff like that but they will eat eventually my dr. told me that my baby wont starve himself. he might need a vitamin also if hes not getting enough nutrience. but good luck i know its scaring when you dont know what to do or how to get answers and worst comes to worst before thursday take him to the hospital, even if its only for your peace of mind.

Answer 3

I totally agree with previous poster- get an appointment with a doctor. You baby may have an allergy to the formula you are feeding, may only want the breast, may have an ear ache. Any number of things could be wrong. I believe two wet diapers are NOT normal!
good luck!

Answer 4

have you checked his temp? does he have a fever? how often does he normally nurse? is it on demand or is it on a schedule?
if you can get him to nurse at all, do it on demand. not a scehdule. hold him skin to skin as much as possible. (it helps if you have a sling) look at http://wallababy.com or http://mayawrap.com or ebay.

try not to supplement with anything. it could affect your supply. before feeding him anything else, try nursing him. if he doesn't take the breast, then offer him a bottle. when you called the lactation consultant, what did she reccommend you do? have you tried it? what was the result?
definitely call a pediatrician. keep us posted. good luck!

Answer 5

No one on here is going to be able to make you feel any better or be less worried. I suggest just taking him to the ER or try to get an appointment with another pediatrician today.

Answer 6

one of my kids did this too... although he was 8 months when it started.... I STRONGLY urge you to take him to the ER now and follow up with a new pediatrician.... this is NOT OK!!! It's called Failure to Thrive and can be deadly if not taken care of immiediately.... instead of wasting anymore time reading anymore answers... grab up your son and take him to the ER!!!

Answer 7

At three months my son was fed up with just milk.I gave him cereal mixed with apple sauce or bananas.My doctor told me to introduce fruit at three months,veggies at 6 months and meat at 9 months.Different doctors have different ideas but mother told me that all babies are different and to follow what your baby wants somewhat.That was 11 years ago and my son is doing fine.I'm sorry I'm not going for the emotional problem thing.

Answer 8

There is a definite problem. Find another doctor to see ASAP. If your mommy radar has gone off..listen to it!