Do babies go on nursing strikes when teething?

Understanding Nursing Strikes in Babies
Nursing strikes can be a perplexing and distressing experience for breastfeeding mothers. A nursing strike occurs when a baby who has been breastfeeding well suddenly refuses to nurse. This behavior can be attributed to various factors, including teething, which is a common concern among parents.
The Connection Between Teething and Nursing Strikes
Teething can indeed lead to nursing strikes. As babies begin to cut their teeth, they often experience discomfort and pain in their gums. This discomfort can make the act of sucking painful, leading some babies to refuse the breast altogether. While some teething infants may seek the comfort of nursing to soothe their sore gums, others may find the pressure of sucking too uncomfortable and choose to avoid breastfeeding during this period.
Signs of a Nursing Strike
Identifying a nursing strike can be challenging. Parents may notice their baby crying at the breast or refusing to latch on after previously nursing well. It’s important to differentiate between a nursing strike and a baby who is ready to wean. A true nursing strike is typically sudden and can last for several days, whereas weaning is a gradual process .
Other Factors Contributing to Nursing Strikes
While teething is a significant factor, other issues can also lead to a nursing strike. For instance, babies may refuse to nurse if they are experiencing discomfort from an ear infection or a cold, which can make it difficult for them to breathe while nursing. Additionally, distractions in their environment, especially in older infants, can lead to a temporary refusal to nurse.
Coping with a Nursing Strike
For parents facing a nursing strike, patience and understanding are crucial. It’s essential to remain calm and try to offer comfort in other ways. Some strategies include:
– Offering the breast at different times: Sometimes, changing the environment or the time of day can help.
– Using breast compression: This technique can encourage the baby to latch and continue nursing.
– Skin-to-skin contact: This can help soothe the baby and may encourage them to nurse again.
Conclusion
In summary, teething can indeed trigger a nursing strike in babies, as the discomfort associated with emerging teeth may make breastfeeding painful. Understanding the signs of a nursing strike and the various factors that contribute to it can help parents navigate this challenging phase. With patience and the right strategies, many mothers find that their babies return to breastfeeding once the discomfort of teething subsides.

How to fix a nursing strike?

Managing a breastfeeding strike

1. Keep trying. If your baby is frustrated, stop and try again later.
2. Change positions. Try different breastfeeding positions.
3. Deal with distractions. Try feeding your baby in a quiet room with no distractions.
4. Cuddle your baby.
5. Address biting issues.
6. Evaluate changes in your routine.

Is my baby hungry or comfort nursing?

Comfort nursing or “non-nutritive sucking/nursing,” is different than nursing out of hunger. Even the suckling motions are different. When a baby or toddler nurses for comfort, the suckling motions are slower and spaced further apart; this is called “flutter sucking.”

Can teething cause breast refusal?

Some moms may find it hard to breastfeed when baby’s teeth are coming in. That’s because babies can experience discomfort when teething and will change their position or latch to avoid hitting their sore gums.

Do babies want to nurse more when teething?

Teething babies are fussy, tense and irritable. They can also occasionally run a fever or have a stuffy nose. For some little teethers, breastfeeding will soothe the pain and they’ll want to nurse all day, almost back to the newborn days.

Can teething cause a nursing strike?

Common causes of a breastfeeding strike include: Pain or discomfort. Teething, thrush or a cold sore can cause mouth pain during breastfeeding. An ear infection can cause pain during sucking or lying on one side.

Can teething cause nursing strike?

Common causes of a breastfeeding strike include: Pain or discomfort. Teething, thrush or a cold sore can cause mouth pain during breastfeeding. An ear infection can cause pain during sucking or lying on one side.

Can teething put a baby off breastfeeding?

Can I Keep Breastfeeding once my Baby Begins Teething? Of course! Teething can present some new challenges but human milk continues to be the best food for your baby. Sometimes when the teeth are moving under the gums and as they pop through the gums, your baby may be uncomfortable and unhappy.

What to do when a teething baby won’t nurse?

While nursing
If you sense your baby is slowing down his or her feeding, fidgeting, shifting the tongue, or tightening the jaw, unlatch your baby and offer him or her a cold washcloth or teething toy to relieve discomfort. After your baby has had a chance to bite or chew, try breastfeeding again.

Do babies struggle to feed when teething?

Signs of teething
Some of the signs that parents report include: Changes in the way a baby latches on to the breast: feeding your baby may start to be uncomfortable, or she may change the position of her mouth or head, or her latch may just feel a bit different.

Why is my baby suddenly refusing breastfeeding?

Nursing strikes can be caused by a number of different things. Most nursing strikes occur as a result of illness (such as an ear infection), teething or the mother’s reaction to biting. However, breast refusal is also common in newborns who are not experiencing any of these issues.