What Is Nursing Strike? Tips To Get Your Baby To Resume Breastfeeding

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Breastfeeding is much more than simply providing food for your baby. When you hold your baby close to you, your baby can feel, smell, and see you, which helps you build a close bond.

Breastfeeding may take some time to adjust to, and may even be difficult at first, but the benefits to your baby and you are worth the efwefort. Support from your family and friends will make it easier to start and maintain breastfeeding.

As a breastfeeding parent, you probably spend a great deal of time monitoring how much and how often your baby is eating. When your baby does not eat or drink as much milk as usual, you may notice it quite quickly - referred to as a nursing strike or breastfeeding strike [1].

When your baby's nursing patterns suddenly change, it is important to determine why and what you can do to correct the problem.

If your baby is having a nursing strike, read on to learn more about what to do.

What Is Breastfeeding Strike In Babies?

Nursing strikes - or "breastfeeding strikes" - are characterised by the sudden refusal of a breastfed baby to breastfeed, usually beginning after three months of age when they have become more aware of their environment.

What Causes What Is Breastfeeding Strike In Babies?

There are several factors that can trigger a breastfeeding strike in a baby. Some of these factors are mentioned below [2][3]:

• An earache or congestion that makes nursing uncomfortable
• It may be uncomfortable to nurse if they have a sore throat, a cut, or an ulcer in their mouth
• Hand, foot, and mouth disease may affect the baby's mouth and make nursing more difficult
• Sore gums due to teething

It is common for a baby to strike when something is not quite right, but breastfeeding strikes are not necessarily signs that your baby is ready to wean. Breastfeeding strikes are often short-lived.

How To Get Your Baby To Resume Breastfeeding?

Don't feel guilty or embarrassed - it's not your fault. A breastfeeding strike can be uncomfortable for you and your baby. You might feel rejected and frustrated.

It is important to pump milk as often as you fed your baby to prevent engorgement and maintain your milk supply. You can use spoons, droppers, or bottles to feed the expressed milk to your baby. There are several ways to encourage your baby to nurse after you have attempted to determine the cause of the strike and eliminated any illnesses or other problems [4].

The following tips can assist a parent in coping with a breastfeeding strike in a baby [5][6]:

• Lay your baby skin-to-skin and gently offer your breast to him or her.
• Position yourself in different holding positions and on different sides.
• Avoid distractions by nursing in a dim or dark room.
• Sit together in a warm bath and offer your breast.
• Maintain a relaxed state during nursing sessions and take steps to eliminate stress.
• When not nursing, spend time together in a positive, connecting manner.
• Positive reinforcement is essential to a successful breastfeeding experience.
• The most important thing is to keep trying. If your baby is frustrated, stop and try again later. You might try to feed your baby when he or she is extremely sleepy.

Breastfeeding Strike In Babies: When Should You Be Concerned?

Nursing strikes usually last between a few days and a week in duration. You should consult a paediatrician as soon as possible if your baby refuses to eat, is losing weight, is not peeing or pooping as frequently as usual, or is displaying any other signs that cause you concern [7].

Breastfeeding strikes can be caused by something as minor as a stuffy nose, or something more serious such as an ear infection. It's important to be proactive and consult a doctor if you notice any of the above symptoms in your baby as it could be a sign of a more serious underlying condition.

On A Final Note...

Nursing strikes are sometimes mistaken for signs that babies are ready to wean. As babies seldom self-wean before the age of 2 years, and when they do, they almost always do so by gradually decreasing the duration and frequency of nursing sessions rather than stopping abruptly, it is highly unlikely that they will do so.