If you have been breastfeeding your baby successfully for a while now and your baby suddenly refuses to breastfeed – especially if less than a year old – your baby may be experiencing a nursing strike.

Nursing strikes can be very distressing for both mom and baby. Many mothers feel discouraged and rejected by nursing strikes, and may get the impression that their baby wants to wean or that there is something wrong with her breast milk.

In this article we will talk about what a nursing strike is, potential triggers and things you can try with your baby to get back on track.

What Does a Nursing Strike Look Like?

An infant or toddler who abruptly refuses to breastfeed may display the following signs:

• Arches away and fusses when offered the breast
• Appears hungry but still refuses
• Usually occurs between 3 – 12 months of age but can happen at any time
• May refuse to nurse completely, or may continue to nurse only when sleepy
• Usually lasts for up to a week but can last longer. Typically not permanent
• Mom may experience engorgement or plugged ducts due to the abrupt change in feeding frequency

Why is my Baby Having a Nursing Strike?

Sometimes babies just decide to quit breastfeeding, but moms’ may notice a trigger related to the nursing strike:

• Baby was recently sick with a stuffy nose or ear ache
• Experienced a trauma at the breast (startled after mom yelled out in pain after baby bit her nipple or startled by a loud noise)
• Low or change in supply
• Increased pacifier and/or bottle use
• Oversupply and reflux
• Changes in mother’s diet, soap or deodorant
• Moms menses (period)
• Starting a feeding schedule or sleep training

Is This a Nursing Strike or Does My Baby Want to Wean?

Typically, baby-led weaning is a slow, relaxed process where the toddler chooses to breastfeed less and less often until he or she doesn’t ask for it anymore. Children in most traditional societies typically wean themselves between 2 and 4 years of age (1). In contrast, nursing strikes are abrupt and stressful and commonly occur during baby’s first year of life.

How Can I Stop My Baby’s Nursing Strike?

Many times nursing strikes will stop without intervention, but the following are techniques and tips that other moms have used to gently coax their babies back to the breast:

• If your life allows for it, try spending more of your time spent with baby shirtless/braless and skin-to-skin with your baby – cuddling, singing, rocking, using a baby carrier and playing on the floor
• Try nursing somewhere different like in the bath or shower, in the car, outside or at a friends house (4)
• Offer the breast when baby is sleepy or just waking up. Try “dream feeding”, nursing your baby without waking him or her up before you go to bed
• Safe co-sleeping – leave your shirt open and baby may self-latch (2)
• Offer the breast in a position different than usual – if you always use the cradle hold, try side-lying, laid-back or try latching him while you’re standing up and dancing

A Couple Reminders During Nursing Strikes

• Pushing baby to breastfeed during a nursing strike will only upset you both even more. Start by increasing quality time and skin-to-skin contact, and offer the breast when baby is sleepy.
• If your baby is not nursing at all or less frequently, it is important to pump during those missed feedings to protect your supply and prevent engorgement, plugged ducts or mastitis. If you think low/decreased supply may be the issue, consider speaking to your physician about adding domperidone (3).
• If your baby has not started complementary foods yet and is not nursing at least part-time – speak to a lactation consultant to help you choose the best alternative feeding method with your breastfeeding goals in mind. Whatever you choose, please ensure baby is having six or more wet diapers. If you have concerns about your baby’s health, seek medical assistance immediately.
• If possible, avoid bottles and sippy cups at this time as it may inhibit baby from returning to the breast. If baby is younger, an open faced cup, finger feeding, or spoon. If baby is older than six months try adding breast milk to complementary foods and offer it in an open faced cup.

References

1. Canadian Pediatric Society. (2004). Position Statement (CP04-01): Weaning from the Breast. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2720507/pdf/pch09249.pdf
2. Newman, J. & Pitman, T. (2009). Dr. Jack Newman’s Guide to Breastfeeding. Harper Collins: Toronto, ON
3. Osadchy, A., Moretti, M. E., & Koren, G. (2012). Effect of domperidone on insufficient lactation in puerperal women: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Obstetrics and gynecology international, 2012, 642893. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3306907/
4. Weissinger, D., West, D., & Pitman, T. (2010). The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding. Ballantine Books: New York, NY.