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<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nNursing\nstrikes can be frightening and upsetting to both you and your baby, but they\nare almost always temporary. Most nursing strikes end with your baby back to\nbreastfeeding, within a few days. In some cases the cause is a mystery, but\nmost of the time it is due to some external factor. Some of the most common\ntriggers for a nursing strike include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- An illness affecting your baby such as an ear infection or stuffy\nnose <\/li>
- A change in deodorant, soap, lotion or anything that would result\nin you smelling different to your baby<\/li>
- Your baby is teething or experiencing sore gums<\/li>
- A temporary reduction in milk supply<\/li>
- A change in nursing patterns<\/li>
- Your baby was frightened during a previous nursing experience<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Whatever the\ncause, getting the baby back to the breast can sometimes be challenging. Here\nare some tips that can help get your baby back to breastfeeding:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Be patient. Don\u2019t try to force your baby to breastfeed as it can\nmake the situation worse. <\/li>
- Rule out any physical problems such as an ear infection, stuffy\nnose, teething issues or a bladder infection.<\/li>
- Spend more skin-to-skin time together.<\/li>
- Avoid giving your baby a pacifier.<\/li>
- Attempt to nurse when your baby is either falling asleep, sound\nasleep, or just waking up.<\/li>
- Movement helps so try putting your baby in a sling while you walk\naround or try relaxing in a rocking chair.<\/li>
- Take a bath together or cuddle in a quiet, dark room.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
You should continue\nto pump or hand express milk while your baby is refusing to nurse to prevent\nplugged ducts and infections. It is also\nimportant to remain calm and understand that your baby isn\u2019t rejecting you and\nwhile the situation can be upsetting that it is only temporary and everything\nwill go back to normal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If your baby\nis experiencing a nursing strike and you have additional questions, you should\nspeak with your doctor or a lactation consultant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you would\nlike to speak to a lactation consultant at Flushing Hospital Medical Center,\nplease call 718-670-5201.<\/p>\n
All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.<\/strong> <\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
When most people hear the words \u201cnursing strike\u201d the most common assumption is that it has something to do with a work stoppage by hospital caregivers, but the term can also refer to when a baby suddenly refuses to breastfeed. … Continue reading