
Has your child instantly stopped eager to breastfeed? That is such a irritating state of affairs to be in! On this article, Katie Clark, IBCLC, shares 9 potential explanation why your child received’t breastfeed.

Causes for a Breastfeeding Strike
Simply if you really feel such as you’ve lastly discovered this breastfeeding factor – a nursing strike rears its ugly head.
For a lot of moms, there comes a time when your candy little child – who, maybe, was content material to nurse for hours – instantly desires nothing to do with the breast
That is SO irritating – however it’s additionally a quite common incidence. On this article, I’ll discuss in regards to the causes WHY this may be occurring. Determining the foundation trigger is all the time step one to overcoming it.
Hello! 👋 I’m Katie, an Worldwide Board Licensed Lactation Marketing consultant I’ve helped 1000’s of mothers worldwide navigate their breastfeeding journey since 2015. I can’t wait that will help you! Think about trying out my 1:1 lactation assist companies or enrolling in considered one of our on-line breastfeeding programs at present!
Motive #1: Sickness – When Nursing Feels Much less Comforting
Image this: your bundle of pleasure wakes up one superb morning with a stuffy nostril, a raspy cough, and a tragic droopy face. Naturally, in occasions of illness, even probably the most ardent nursing fanatics might grow to be hesitant to feed. Give it some thought – would you need to eat when your nostril is stuffed up and you may hardly breathe?
Your little champ may be struggling to breathe whereas nursing, resulting in frustration and unwillingness to latch. It’s heartbreaking, however it’s important to be affected person, supply numerous cuddles, and hold your child hydrated with various strategies like a dropper or a syringe if essential.
Sicknesses that will significantly influence nursing embody:
- Something respiratory (corresponding to RSV)
- Ear infections – I discover this to typically be the perpetrator when there’s a one-sided refusal
- Sore throats
Professional Tip: In case your child is congested, take into account suctioning the kid’s nostril instantly earlier than nursing. This can assist considerably. The NoseFrida is a well-liked possibility.
Motive #2: Bottle Choice – Generally It’s Simpler!
Ah, the attract of a bottle! For some infants, the bottle’s attraction lies in its comfort. It requires much less effort and supplies prompt gratification. Nursing, then again, calls for a bit extra work for our tiny tots.
However don’t fear – this doesn’t imply the top of your breastfeeding journey. Providing paced bottle feeding with slow-flow nipples and guaranteeing skin-to-skin contact throughout feeds can assist bridge the hole between the breast and the bottle.
Motive #3: Developmental Leaps – The World is So Thrilling!
As your candy child grows, so does their curiosity in regards to the huge, intriguing world round them. Throughout developmental leaps, they may be too captivated by their newfound abilities to sit down nonetheless and nurse. It’s like asking a bit of explorer to pause their expedition and deal with a meal.
Throughout these occasions, breastfeeding may take a backseat, however it’s momentary. As soon as your tiny explorer has completed marveling at their newfound skills, they’ll return to the comforting embrace of nursing.
Professional Tip – Keep forward of the developmental leaps! I LOVE The Surprise Weeks app. It’s based mostly in your child’s due date and provides you a good suggestion of when there may be a storm forward!
Motive #4: Stable Choice
Ah, solids – the introduction to a complete new world! As your child explores totally different tastes and textures, they could resolve that solids are their new favourite factor.
Keep in mind, it’s a pure a part of their growth, and breast milk or method stays their major supply of diet till the age of 1.
In case you are experiencing this, you might need to again off on the solids for a time to make sure the kid is getting most of their diet from breast milk.
Motive #5: FOMO – Concern of Lacking Out on Enjoyable
FOMO (concern of lacking out) is actual, even for our tiny tots! As they grow to be extra conscious of their environment, they could sometimes select to hitch the enjoyable fairly than nurse.
Answer? Go away the room and take away distractions!
Motive #6: Letdown Points
Is your milk gradual to letdown? Your child may get impatient ready for it. In the event that they really feel prefer it’s not popping out quick sufficient, they could really feel pissed off on the breast.
On this state of affairs, doing compressions whereas nursing can assist lots.
However maybe your child is freaking out as a result of your letdown is too quick! This may occasionally additionally create a detrimental affiliation with the breast. If this occurs, leaning again can assist management the stream.
Motive #7: Your Interval
Menstrual cycles can actually mess nursing up for a time! Durations and ovulation can drop your milk provide, delay your letdown, and even change the style of your milk.
Motive #8: Being pregnant
Yep – you may get pregnant whereas breastfeeding. And in case your child is instantly refusing to nurse and you’re feeling like your provide has dropped, it could be a good time to take a being pregnant take a look at.
Motive #9: Remedy
Sure medicines can change the style of your breast milk. When you have just lately began taking a drugs, and your child now not desires to nurse, it could be associated.
In fact, discuss together with your physician earlier than instantly discontinuing a drugs!
Motive #10: Teething
Enamel and breastfeeding – ah! Nothing strikes extra concern in a breastfeeding mom. Teething may cause disruption in nursing as a consequence of ache and discomfort. Try to handle that teething ache as a lot as potential.
And if teething is making YOU not need to breastfeed (as a consequence of your little child piranha biting) be sure you learn this text – 6 Causes Your Breastfed Child is Biting.
Get Assist!
Determining the rationale behind a nursing strike might be troublesome. Working with an IBCLC could make a world of distinction and enable you consider concepts you hadn’t considered by yourself. I supply digital consults worldwide – and in case you are within the USA, you might be eligible for six free consults. Click on right here to resolve your drawback with my assist at present!
Don’t neglect – you’re doing an distinctive job in offering your valuable baby with the most effective nourishment and love potential. Nursing strikes might be perplexing, however armed with understanding and endurance, you’ll sail by these difficult moments.
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Katie Clark is an Worldwide Board Licensed Lactation Marketing consultant (IBCLC). She has helped 1000’s of moms and households across the globe navigate breastfeeding challenges and questions since 2015. She has a ardour for creating research-based, useful breastfeeding schooling and serving to mother and father discover a solution to make breastfeeding work for them. Katie is a mother of three little boys and lives within the nice state of Colorado. She additionally has a level in Communications with an emphasis in print journalism.
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