A nursing strike is a period of time in which a baby refuses to breastfeed. This phenomenon is also known as a breastfeeding strike. A nursing strike is often misinterpreted as a baby's “self-weaning”. In most cases, a baby will begin weaning slowly and gradually over the course of a few months. A nursing strike occurs when a baby who has been breastfeeding well suddenly stops doing so. This refusal may be accompanied by crying, screaming, and instances of the baby actually pushing away from the breast.
Because nursing strikes occur suddenly, they can be frightening and stressful for both the baby and the mother. These episodes are generally temporary and short-lived, but that doesn’t mean that they aren’t cause for concern. To help better understand nursing strikes – the causes, symptoms, and coping strategies – we spoke to Dr. Fateneh M. Ziari. She offered some thoughts and techniques to help mothers through this anxious time.
How can you tell that your baby or toddler is having a nursing strike? How does a nursing strike differ from weaning?
In a nursing strike, a baby refuses to breastfeed. However, in weaning, a baby wants to breastfeed but intermittently stops and starts again.
What causes a nursing strike?
Usually, it is due to discomfort or pain. In newborns or younger infants, it is mostly due to learning how to nurse or GERD. In older babies, it is usually due to pain or discomfort like teething or earache.
Should you pump if your child refuses to breastfeed? How can you keep your supply up during this time, and why is it important to do so?
Yes, you can pump, but it is better to find the cause of breastfeeding refusal. Keep supply up by resting, relaxing, hydrating, and eating a nutritious diet. Maintaining your supply is important because you want to be able to adequately nourish your baby once the nursing strike has ended. Keeping up healthy habits can also help mitigate anxiety during this stressful time.
What are some techniques that can be used to get your child back to breastfeeding?
Ensure you're comfortably positioning the baby during feeding. You can ask your pediatrician or lactation nurse to demonstrate the different techniques and help you practice breastfeeding. Most of all, it's important to take time and exercise patience during breastfeeding.
What should you do if nothing seems to be working?
The best thing to do in this scenario is to give breast milk by pumping. If there is not enough breast milk, you can supplement it with formula.
It’s important to remember that nursing strikes are almost always temporary. While this can be a stressful time for both mother and infant, this episode often passes within a few days or weeks. Maintain your rest and nutrition habits to keep your supply up, and employ the tips detailed above to try to get your baby back to breastfeeding.
If you have further questions, Dr. Ziari recommends that you speak to your pediatrician or lactation nurse. Nursing strikes are very common; studies have shown that nearly 24% of infants go through such an episode. Do not hesitate to reach out for help or guidance when navigating this unnerving situation, as some external help can mitigate anxiety for both you and your baby.
