Nursing Strike

If your child has refused more than 1 feeding in a row and is under 12 months old, it is likely a strike. NOT self-weaning. It is my opinion, that a child will not naturally self wean prior to one year. Often this does occur, but is likely a result of those babies being supplemented with bottle feeds. Rarely does an exclusively breastfed (no bottles or sippy cups) baby self wean prior to a year.

• Pump to maintain your supply: stay on the same feeding schedule as baby. Use a good pump
• Keep offering the breast - reduce stimuli (dark room)
• Offer expressed breastmilk feeds as needed
• Have your child evaluated by your primary care physician

You can syringe feed, bottle feed, sippy cup feed, cup feed or spoon feed your baby your breastmilk during a strike. Continue to monitor output, making sure you baby is having a minimum of 6 diaper changes during a 24 hour period. Wet diapers should be saturated wet.

Strikes usually resolves on its own within 24 hours. Hang in there, don't give up. Find support from a lactation consultant, friend or la leche league leader.

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