Breastfeeding Help: Nursing Strike

Nursing strikes are common in breastfeeding babies of all ages, and can be caused by many factors. Unfortunately, a nursing strike is often mistaken for self-weaning, and breastfeeding ends before the child is truly ready. Here are the characteristics and some of the causes of a nursing strike, and what you can do to help get baby back to the breast.

What is a nursing strike?

A nursing strike is characterized by a breastfeeding baby's sudden refusal of the breast. This can happen at any time.

Nursing strikes are often mistaken for early self-weaning. If you are wondering whether your child is actually weaning or if it's a nursing strike, ask yourself the following questions:

-- Is my baby younger than 18 to 24 months?

-- Did my baby suddenly refuse the breast, or was it a gradual reduction in frequency of nursing sessions?

It is extremely rare for a baby under the age of 18 months to truly self-wean. Before the age of 18 months, refusing to nurse is almost always a nursing strike. Regardless of your baby's age, weaning is a gradual process. When a baby suddenly refuses to nurse, this is a nursing strike and not weaning, regardless of age.

Why a nursing strike happens

Many factors can cause a baby to go on a nursing strike. Nursing strikes commonly occur during teething. Baby's gums are sore, and it may hurt to nurse. Illness, such as an ear infection or a cold, can also cause a nursing strike. A baby may also go on nursing strike after a prolonged stay away from mom, or when bottles or pacifiers are given frequently - nipple confusion is a major cause of nursing strikes.

A mother's behavior can also contribute to a nursing strike. If mom is overly stressed or tired, her milk supply can be affected, which can result in a nursing strike. If mom frequently makes baby wait instead of nursing on demand, or puts baby on a rigid feeding schedule, this can also cause a nursing strike. Major life changes, such as moving or traveling, can contribute to a nursing strike as well.

How you and your baby can recover from a nursing strike

Many times a nursing strike can be corrected simply by snuggling with baby and giving lots of skin-to-skin contact. The extra closeness can be just what baby needs to remind him how much he likes breastfeeding. It may be helpful to pump or hand express a small amount of breastmilk to stimulate letdown before offering the breast; the taste of milk will entice baby to nurse, and she won't have to work as hard to get milk. During a severe nursing strike, it may be necessary to pump or hand express milk on a regular basis to keep your milk supply up and prevent engorgement and mastitis.

Patience is key when helping baby recover from a nursing strike. Don't force the breast - that may be counterproductive and actually make the strike worse.

For more information on nursing strikes, please talk to a lactation consultant, or refer to the links at the end of this article.

**This is one of a series of articles about common breastfeeding problems. To see the rest of the series and other articles by this writer, please click on the picture of the baby's bottom, at the top of the article beside the author's name. **