“My breastfed baby suddenly won’t nurse, help!” This is a common call for us at Wisco Lactation, but we know how stressful it can be when this happens to you! Here are a few common reasons for what we call a nursing strike.
Stress is a big one. If the baby has been away from you for a while, they might feel unsettled! You’re their source of comfort and connection.
Distraction/overstimulation is also a common reason. In loud or bright environments, babies often feel overwhelmed and not in the calm state needed to eat.
Discomfort - things invisible to us like ear pain, needing to stretch or let out some gas can affect a baby's readiness to latch.
Reduction/frustration with milk supply/letdown/flow rate - As we transition baby back and forth from bottle to breast, they may start to prefer the often faster and more continuous flow rate of the bottle over breast (this is why we always recommend paced bottle feeding! See our youtube video on how to). Alternatively, a fast letdown at the breast can overwhelm the baby and make them more tentative to latch.
Taste/smell - there are tiny pores in our areolae called Montgomery glands that secrete oils and lubrication to protect our nipple. These lubrications smell like amniotic fluid and help the baby locate the breast with a familiar smell from the womb. If we wear perfumes or other scented products, it can be unfamiliar for babies.
What to do - getting baby back at the breast
The first priority during a nursing strike is ensuring the baby is fed and mom’s supply is maintained. This should be managed on an individual basis with an IBCLC, but you should consider factors like diaper output and hunger cues to ensure the baby is getting enough. Mom’s supply can be maintained with pumping or hand expression on a schedule.
Keep the breast a happy place. Give the baby lots of skin to skin to calm them and keep them close to the breast should they be hungry. Don’t force the latch if the baby seems frustrated. Take a break, and try again later.
Eliminate distraction. For older babies especially, moving to a calmer environment can help. Try a quiet room with low light.
Try to change flow rate. If the baby seems overwhelmed by the flow at the breast, hand express or pump a little before latching to diminish the let down. If the baby is frustrated by a slower letdown, put a few drops on the nipple before latching to let them know milk is there!
Find the source of discomfort. If a baby can’t breathe through their nose, they’ll probably struggle to effectively remove milk at the breast! Try running a humidifier, or using a nasal aspirator to reduce some of the congestion. If they still seem in pain, visit your pediatrician to look for any other reasons for their discomfort.
Avoid scented products around the breast. Let the Montgomery glands do their job and help the baby find the breast! Wash off any scented products before trying to latch the baby.
Remember, this won’t last forever! Most nursing strikes are a few days to a week. Stay calm, maintain your supply and feed the baby however they’ll eat. Keep trying at the breast, and they’ll be back in no time!
Need more help with a nursing strike? Book a visit with Wisco Lactation! We offer home & office visit in SE Wisconsin and NE Illinois. We also offer virtual visits worldwide.