Nursing Strike

I have a 8 month old daughter and we are entering Day 4 of a nursing strike. I have done everything and nothing is breaking it. She did bite me causing blood and I jumped and gave her a scare, but she is also sick with roseola. HELP!!! What can I do? I am a mess!!
Answer from the lactation consultant
Hang in there. Are you offering her other foods/drinks? If so, stop. Only offer the breast, if she goes more than 6 hours without nursing, then give her expressed breastmilk. I assume you are pumping to maintain your supply. If not, start pumping every 3 hours around the clock. Offer her some pain medication like tylenol, motrin or arnica (whatever your doctor recommends) AND have her checked TODAY at the doctor to make sure she does not have an ear infection or some other infection that would cause her not to want to suck. Even if you had her checked last week, after a 4 day strike, have her rechecked.
Lastly, check yourself. Have you changed your diet or any supplements? Could you be pregnant? Are you on your menstrual cycle? Have you been working out a lot? All these things can change the way your milk tastes. If no, to all then it is likely her.
It will work itself out if you keep trying. But you must stick with it and not give in and give her other things to eat/drink. Just lay in bed with her all day today with your top off. Many times, you can get them to nurse when they are asleep, during a nap or nightime. My first daughter had a strike but it was because I was feeding her too much solids and offering too many sippy cups. This is why she ultimately weaned prematurely at 9 months. AND this this also why I did not even start solids with my second daughter until she was nearly a year old. Breastmilk is by far more superior nutrition than any solid.
All that being said, she could be ill or it could be that she is trying to wean from eating/drinking too many other things. 9 months is common time to self wean due to developmental things going on. (although I call any weaning before 1 year: too soon)

Lastly, I would strongly urge you to contact someone in your local la leche league to obtain support through this stituation.
You can do it, just stick with it!
Liz, RN, IBCLC