When your baby won't breastfeed

What is a breastfeeding strike?

If your baby has previously been feeding well, refusing to feed is called a breastfeeding or nursing strike. It usually only lasts for a day or two, though it may go on for longer.

Your baby refusing to breastfeed can be upsetting, especially if you have no idea why it's happening. While you’re racking your brains to work out what’s gone wrong, you may even feel that your baby doesn’t like you.

It is perfectly normal to have these feelings. Do tell your midwife, health visitor or breastfeeding specialist about how you're feeling. They'll support you through this stage.

As upsetting as being rejected for a feed is, it can be overcome. It’s just your baby’s way of telling you that something’s not right. Your baby needs you more than ever during this time. With a little patience and help, you should be able to work out what she needs.

Why is my baby refusing to breastfeed?

There are many reasons why your baby may not want to breastfeed. She may refuse at various stages of her development. Reasons include:

* She finds it difficult to latch on properly and can’t get a good enough mouthful of your breast to feed from. She may refuse your breast out of frustration.
* Your baby may need to be reminded how to feed properly, by going back to the basics. Perfecting any new skill can require repetition. Your midwife or health visitor can help, or ask to see a breastfeeding specialist.
* Your baby has tightness in her neck muscles on one side (torticollis), which makes breastfeeding on one side more painful than the other. If you notice that your baby won't feed from one breast, seek advice from a doctor.
* She has reflux and links feeding with pain.
* Her mouth is painful, perhaps because she has an infection such as thrush, or a cold sore.
* She has a cold, or a stuffy nose, making it hard for her to breathe while breastfeeding.
* She has an ear infection which is making her miserable and makes feeding uncomfortable. See your doctor to rule out any infections.
* She is teething.
* Your milk supply has reduced, perhaps because you have been giving your baby formula feeds as well.
* She is easily distracted by noise or interruptions while she's breastfeeding.
* She bit you during a feed and was startled by your response.
* She's experienced a big disruption in her routine, such as if you have recently moved house or returned to work.

There are other, less common reasons for a breastfeeding strike:

Your baby doesn’t like the taste or smell of a cream or perfumed product you’ve put on or near your breasts. Your baby loves your natural smell, so try not to use products that have strong scents. Roll-on or stick deodorants are better than sprays.
There’s been a change in the taste of your milk, possibly caused by a sensitivity to certain foods, or the return of your periods.
You have an inflammation in your breast, or mastitis, which can make your milk taste salty. When your baby has finished a feed, keep expressing milk to help clear the affected breast. As your mastitis gets better, the saltiness will reduce.

Try to be patient, and feel free to ask for support. Talking to other mums about their breastfeeding experiences may help.

If your baby fights at the breast, as well as when being held, get help from an experienced breastfeeding counsellor.

How can I encourage my baby to breastfeed again?

Watch your baby for signs that she’s hungry (feeding cues).

Opening and closing her mouth, making sucking noises, opening her eyes, or turning her head towards you, are all signs. Picking up on these signs early means your baby won't need to cry for a feed. By the time your baby is upset, feeding is likely to be more difficult for both of you.

Give your baby lots of skin-to-skin contact between feeding, so she has the chance to initiate feeding for herself. Try breastfeeding without a top on or even while sitting in a warm, shallow bath.

A sling or carrier can help to keep your baby close to you between attempts at feeding. Your baby may prefer to feed when you rock or walk her rather than when you’re sitting or standing still.

Try different feeding positions, as your baby may find some positions more comfortable than others. Laid-back breastfeeding gives you and your baby lots of options. Your midwife, health visitor or breastfeeding specialist will be able to show you different feeding positions.

Encourage your milk to flow by putting warm flannels over your breasts before a feed. A drop of breastmilk on the end of your nipple may tempt your baby to feed. Expressing some milk before starting a feed may help your baby to keep up with the flow, if you have a lot of milk.

Offer your baby your breast with your nipple touching the tip of her nose. That way she will need to have a nice, wide open mouth to take in your breast.

Try offering your breast when your baby is asleep, or very sleepy. If she's refusing to feed when she's awake, she may do so when she's dozing.

From about nine months to 12 months, your baby may be much more interested in trying out new skills, such as moving herself or her toys. Try feeding her in a dimly lit, quiet room, away from background noise and other distractions. Or it may be that there's a change of pace to the feed rather than a full-on strike, as older babies can get a lot of milk in a short feed.

It's easy to jump to the conclusion that an older baby who doesn’t want to breastfeed is weaning herself. But if your baby is under a year old, and has been happily breastfeeding, it’s unlikely that she’s ready to give up yet.

Although it is possible for babies to wean themselves off the breast suddenly, most babies do so gradually over a period of weeks or months.

How can I keep my milk supply going?

You may need to express your milk by hand or with a pump for a while.

You'll need to express very often if your baby is newborn. If your baby is older, express as often as your baby has been breastfeeding. You can then offer the milk to your baby by bottle, cup or spoon in the meantime.

Talk to your midwife, health visitor or a breastfeeding specialist if you're not sure about the best way to do this.

Expressing will help to keep your milk supply going, prevent engorgement or mastitis, and give your baby the milk she needs until she’s ready to go back on your breast.

How can I help my baby?

When your baby refuses to feed or goes on breastfeeding strike, it can be just as upsetting for her as it is for you. Give her extra attention and cuddles. Try to keep her routine as normal as possible.

Having skin-to-skin contact will really help to calm you both. The warmth of your skin, and the feel of your relaxed body helps your baby to focus on feeding.

If you are worried that your baby isn’t getting enough nourishment, or is dehydrated, keep track of her wet and dirty nappies.

You’ll know she’s getting enough milk if she has at least five to eight wet nappies a day. If she's not wetting this many nappies, seek help from your midwife, health visitor or GP.

Find out what else to look for in our article on getting enough milk.