Why will my baby not drink my breast milk?

Understanding Why Your Baby May Refuse Breast Milk
Breastfeeding is often heralded as the ideal way to nourish infants, providing all the necessary nutrients and hydration for the first six months of life. However, many parents face the perplexing challenge of their baby refusing to drink breast milk. This situation can be distressing, but understanding the underlying reasons can help alleviate concerns and guide parents toward solutions.
Common Reasons for Refusal
1. Nursing Strike: One of the most common reasons a baby may suddenly refuse to breastfeed is a nursing strike. This phenomenon can occur for various reasons, including teething discomfort, illness, or simply a desire for more independence. During a nursing strike, a baby may temporarily refuse the breast, leading to frustration for both the infant and the mother.
2. Taste Changes: Babies are sensitive to changes in taste, which can be influenced by the mother’s diet. If a mother consumes certain foods or drinks, such as garlic, spicy foods, or alcohol, the flavor of her breast milk may change. This alteration can lead to a baby rejecting the breast if they find the taste unappealing.
3. Discomfort or Pain: If a baby is experiencing discomfort—whether from gas, reflux, or an ear infection—they may associate breastfeeding with that discomfort and refuse to nurse. It’s essential for parents to observe their baby’s behavior and consult a pediatrician if they suspect an underlying health issue.
4. Bottle Preference: In some cases, babies may develop a preference for bottle feeding, especially if they have been introduced to bottles early on. The ease of drinking from a bottle can make it more appealing than breastfeeding, leading to a refusal of the breast.
5. Environmental Factors: Babies can be sensitive to their surroundings. A noisy or distracting environment may make it difficult for them to focus on breastfeeding. Creating a calm and quiet space can help encourage a baby to nurse.
What Parents Can Do
If your baby is refusing to drink breast milk, there are several strategies you can employ to encourage them to return to breastfeeding:
– Stay Calm and Patient: It’s crucial to remain calm and patient during this phase. Stress can affect milk supply and the breastfeeding relationship.
– Offer the Breast Frequently: Try offering the breast at different times and in various positions. Sometimes, a change in routine can rekindle a baby’s interest in breastfeeding.
– Skin-to-Skin Contact: Engaging in skin-to-skin contact can help stimulate the baby’s natural instincts to breastfeed. This intimate bonding time can reassure the baby and encourage them to latch on.
– Consult a Lactation Consultant: If the refusal persists, seeking help from a lactation consultant can provide personalized strategies and support tailored to your situation.
Conclusion
While it can be concerning when a baby refuses breast milk, understanding the potential reasons behind this behavior can empower parents to address the issue effectively. Whether it’s a temporary nursing strike, taste changes, or discomfort, there are ways to encourage your baby to return to breastfeeding. Remember, every breastfeeding journey is unique, and seeking support is a vital part of navigating these challenges.

What does a nursing strike look like?

If a baby who has been quite happily breastfeeding suddenly starts to refuse the breast it could be a “nursing strike”. Sometimes this can be mistaken for the baby wanting to stop breastfeeding, but a baby who is ready to wean usually does so over a period of time.

What is the 3 month breastfeeding crisis?

As you may have read in my other blog about a baby’s breastfeeding crisis, a breastfeeding crisis, sometimes called a growth spurt, is a common phrase used to describe a phase where mothers may encounter significant breastfeeding challenges, typically related to an increase in milk demand from the baby.

What is the 5 5 5 rule for breast milk?

Something I recommend to moms is the 5-5-5 rule. Try and use milk within five hours at room temperature, five days in the fridge, and by five months in the freezer.

Why doesn’t my baby want to drink my breastmilk?

Unusual scents or tastes. Changes in your smell due to a new soap, perfume, lotion or deodorant might cause your baby to lose interest in breastfeeding. Changes in the taste of breast milk — triggered by the food you eat, medication, your period or getting pregnant again — also can trigger a breastfeeding strike.

What is the 120 pumping rule?

The first 12 weeks of your breastfeeding journey requires frequent breastmilk removal, stimulating healthy milk production. Studies show moms who exclusively pump for a minimum of 120 minutes per day can make enough to feed their babies primarily breastmilk.

How do I stop my baby from rejecting my breasts?

It is important that you stay calm during this time.

1. Try to find out what is bothering your baby.
2. Offer your baby your breast when they are sleepy.
3. Carry your baby in a sling.
4. Feed your baby in different locations.
5. If your baby has a sore mouth, you can try giving them frozen expressed milk in a clean cloth or muslin.

Why does my baby pull away and cry while breastfeeding?

Sometimes, your milk lets down so fast that your baby can have trouble swallowing the amount of milk that’s being released. Because of this, your baby may act fussy at breast or choke and sputter at the breast, and he or she may be quite gassy.

What does nursing strike look like?

Babies who are entering a nursing strike typically refuse the breast but seem unhappy, fussy and displeased by not nursing. While your baby probably sometimes becomes distracted at the breast, pulling away or rooting in the middle of a feed is not indicative of a nursing strike, rather they’re just distracted.

Does breastmilk lose nutrients when pumped?

According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), freshly expressed breast milk can be safely kept at room temperature (77°F or colder) for up to 4 hours. Generally, when freshly pumped, breast milk is at its peak regarding nutrients.

Why does my baby reject my breast milk?

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.