Nursing strike going on for nearly 2 months!
6 answers /
Last post: 09/01/2023 at 7:10 pm
I was wondering if I could ask for some help here from experienced mums please!
I’m a first time mom. Baby is 22 weeks old. Ever since the beginning of November (since she was around 15 weeks) she has been refusing my breast. Even though she shows signs of hunger, every time I take her to my breast to feed she'll fuss, lift her head as if she’s trying to sit up and turn away. I've tried skin to skin, nursing her in a quiet dark room, tried expressing and feeding using a bottle/spoon, all to no avail. I’ve tried everything I’ve read from previous posts about nursing strike without success.
The only way i have been able to get her to nurse is when i rock her and make her drowsy or asleep which takes around 30 mins or thereabouts and it’s not easy on my back having to do this several times a day/night.
We saw an urgent care doctor as we were really worried when this first started, but they couldn’t find any reason for this. We again saw the GP after a month of this nursing strike, they also couldn't find medical reason for her refusal to feed. She hasn't lost weight so far, she's only gained 200grams throughout the month of November.
It is also limiting my ability to go out as I worry she won’t nurse when we’re out/ friends house/etc.
Has any mums had a nursing strike last 1-2 months+ or am I an anomaly? :( I'd be ever so grateful for any help or guidance, please. Thank you.
I forgot to mention she’s exclusively breastfed from birth.
Hi Christina
Thank you for posting.
It can be a worrying time when our LOs go on a nursing strike but it can be normal for some LOs.
You may find Help -- My Baby Won't Nurse! • KellyMom.com helpful in looking more into this.
Its positive to hear your LO is consistent with her weight, that shows what she is taking is enough for her at the moment.
Is she having lots of wet and dirty nappies for you? We usually expect LOs to have at least 6 heavy wet nappies in a 24 hr period.
I wonder if your local health visitor would be able to offer some tailored advice for you. They will be able to observe a feed which will then enable them to offer specific advice for you and your LO.
I hope you find the above link helpful in looking more into nursing strikes. You can also contact the national breastfeeding helpline National Breastfeeding Helpline – Helpline if needing advice and support before your able to make contact with your health visitor.
Best wishes
Emma
HV
Hi Christina
Thank you for posting.
It can be a worrying time when our LOs go on a nursing strike but it can be normal for some LOs.
You may find Help -- My Baby Won't Nurse! • KellyMom.com helpful in looking more into this.
Its positive to hear your LO is consistent with her weight, that shows what she is taking is enough for her at the moment.
Is she having lots of wet and dirty nappies for you? We usually expect LOs to have at least 6 heavy wet nappies in a 24 hr period.
I wonder if your local health visitor would be able to offer some tailored advice for you. They will be able to observe a feed which will then enable them to offer specific advice for you and your LO.
I hope you find the above link helpful in looking more into nursing strikes. You can also contact the national breastfeeding helpline National Breastfeeding Helpline – Helpline if needing advice and support before your able to make contact with your health visitor.
Best wishes
Emma
HV
Hi Emma,
Thank you so much for replying.
My health visitor is off until next year.
I shall give her a ring after the holidays. Fingers crossed she can hopefully come to see me.
kind regards,
CW
To anyone going through this problem, I am now managing to get my LO to feed by nursing her while gently bouncing in a birthing / gym ball. I read this somewhere! I can’t remember but this is the only solution that is working for me. She still won’t nurse if I’m just sat in a chair. It’s still a small victory for me because her intake is much better and my back is happier.
Hello Christina
We really appreciate your time sharing your success!
I am sure other will benefit from it to, so thank you so much.
Tracey HV
