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One of the main jobs you have as a parent is to ensure that your newborn is getting all the nutrients they need. And this means making sure that they are consuming breast milk at regular intervals. Newborns don’t drink a lot all at once, but they do need nursing every 2 hours or so. However, sometimes babies simply stop drinking milk out of nowhere and this is known as a milk strike or breastfeeding strike. Now it can be alarming when your baby who had no trouble latching on and drinking from you suddenly stops out of the blue, but there’s no need to panic. These strikes don’t last for a long period of time and they can be rectified pretty easily in most cases. So, there’s no need to throw in the towel when it comes to your breastfeeding goals just yet. There are ways to get your baby back to a perfectly stable breastfeeding routine. So, if you’d like to know what to do when your little one refuses to drink milk, this is the article for you. Keep reading!
What Is A Milk Strike?
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A milk strike is when a usually breastfeeding infant refuses to nurse suddenly. This can last anywhere between one breastfeeding session to a couple of days. It is important to keep in mind that irrespective of how long the strike lasts, your baby always has a related cause. Maybe it’s because they are ill and feel uncomfortable, or maybe it’s because they are stressed and distracted by loud noises in their environment. Whatever the case may be, there are ways to rectify this situation so that the strike ends.
Ways To Get Your Baby To Nurse Again
1. Keep Trying
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If your baby’s milk strike has only been going on for a day or so, don’t panic and stick with the regularly scheduled program. This means you try to breastfeed them when feeding time comes around as if nothing has changed. However, if this becomes stressful for you and your baby, then it’s okay to stop and try again at the next feed. You may also find more success breastfeeding your little one when they are sleepy. So, try to catch them when they are falling asleep or right after they wake up. Stick to your usual nursing routine and your infant will most likely come around in a day or two.
2. Find A Calm Breastfeeding Spot
Sometimes babies hesitate to feed because they are distracted by all the noise in their environment. This can cause them to be overwhelmed and even a little stressed. And none of these things induce their ability to nurse properly. So, your best bet in this situation is to change locations. Find a quieter, calm spot in your house so that you and your baby can relax. Remember, a baby can pick on the mother’s stress levels too. So, if you’re worked up, chances are your baby will be too. Finding a spot where you feel safe to breastfeed your baby in peace may make all the difference to wean the baby off of their milk strike.
3. Pump
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When all else fails, simply pump. Pumping will ensure that you are protecting your milk supply even when your baby is not consuming milk directly from you. This will signal to your body that milk still needs to be made so that your supply does not decrease. And besides, your baby will still be able to drink breast milk that they need, even if it’s through a bottle.
4. Try New Positions
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As your baby grows, they start to feel a little stuffy and uncomfortable in certain positions. So it may be time to adapt and try a few new breastfeeding positions in order to resolve the milk strike. Even as the mother, it’s hard to guess what position your baby might take to. So, keep trying a few new positions until you find one that your baby is comfortable with. Even a minute change can make a big difference and encourage them to start breastfeeding again.
5. Lots Of Cuddles
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Sometimes all your baby needs is some good old skin-to-skin and cuddles to get them in the mood to breastfeed again. Babies need love, attention and care. They need to be able to build a strong bond with you so that they can feel safe around you and trust you. So, if your little one has gone on milk strike, show them some love and shower them with kisses.
Getting a newborn to nurse when they don’t want to can seem like an impossible task, but it doesn’t have to be. With a few tricks and some patience your little one will be back to breastfeeding regularly!
