7 Month Old Refusing to Nurse

I agree with other posters - this is a "nursing strike" and it is definitely temporary. I would:
-offer her the breast for EVERY meal, even if she doesn't eat much from it
- have someone other than you give her a bottle so she doesn't associate it with her
- make sure you pump EVERY time she doesn't really nurse
- try manually stimulating your nipples (or pumping a tiny bit) to get your let-down - THEN offer her the breast - she may just be getting lazy
- go into a dark quiet (boring) room to nurse her, where there are fewer distractions. Unfortunately as she gets older she WILL be more distractable
- Spend as much time as you can nursing her in the afternoons and weekends - if you can keep it up even just a little bit then you'll have more time with her over Christmas (assuming you have a few days off) - and that will help.

Babies will almost never self-wean before age 18-months, so this is a temporary (but frustrating!) situation. Check www.kellymom.com for more tips - very helpful website. Good luck! Give it a couple weeks and I bet she'll be back to it.

1 mom found this helpful

M.,
At 7 months my daughter did the same exact thing, refused the breast but took to the bottle. What was interesting is that she also refused her binky as well which led me to believe that this was not just a nursing strike. Needless to say, we found out she had a double ear infection and the bottle required less of suck than the breast. Unfortunately, she did wean herself from the breast and the pacifier around that time. My supply would just not keep up, even with pumping. Good luck!

lynn

I'm guessing it's teething and a new-found interest in what's going on around him. So, put some Orajel on his gums before nursing or give him some teething tablets (Hylands makes a good one). Then, go to a quiet dark place and try to nurse him. He has to suck harder at the breast than on a bottle, so it could very well hurt more if he's teething. You can also try Ibuprophin, it works better for teething than Tylonal.
Keep pumping after each nursing session and remember that he gets more out than the pump does!
If you want more advice, check out the support groups at Community North. PM me if you'd like info about them.

My son at 7 1/2 months weaned himself from me as well. It just happens. I began feeding him a bottle then a sippy cup. He also would not take regular milk or fomula. He would take juice and water. I gave him calcium pills finally.

I agree with all of the other posters advice. My oldest daughter quit nursing when she was 9 months old. I tried everything, but she was not interested. I think you have recieved great advice, try all you can but do not feel bad if nothing works. I felt horrible, but my milk went and nothing I tried kept me from drying out. My daughter is now almost 4 and is perfectly healthy, smart, and wonderful. I got comments for BF, then comments for feeding her formula. I guess what I am saying is as moms we do everything we can for our children, but don't beat yourself up if someting that is out of your control.

M.:

It sounds like a "nursing strike"..... You can get him back - it will take time patience and perseverance.

Talk to either a Board Certified Lactation Consultant or possibly a La Leche League Leader

P., RLC, IBCLC
Parenting Coach and Board Certified Lactation Consultant
www.lactationsupportgroup.com

my 6month old is starting that... she's easily distracted esp by my 3yr old. It's hard, but I've heard thsi is a phase not to give up.. she also refuses one breast all together so I have to pump that one.
I'd say keep pumping dont give up! He'll come around. good luck, xo

now that he's bigger you may need to recheck his positioning make sure he head is tilted back and that his chin isn't to close to his chest

drink plenty of fluids
mother milk tea
fenugreet
prenatal vit

Yes, it is possible that he is weaning, but rare at that young of an age. My daughter got very distracted at that age, and it is just b/c the world is opening up to them and they are getting mobile. Now my daughter is 14 mths and still nursing strong...though easily distracted. Just do what you can and try to avoid the bottle. Does he want the bottle b/c he's allowed to move around with it? Just keep up the good work.

I nursed my oldest one until she was a year old, so when the second one started weaning at 9 months, I got a little nervous. However, after about a month, she cut 3 teeth! So, I figured she was ready to go onto cereal and solid foods. Sure enough, she cut all of her teeth a little early. I wouldn't worry too much about it since you have nursed this long...you definately got him started on the right track. But sometimes, I think, they sort of know when they want to move on.

I know it's hard especially if you really enjoy the nursing. I know I did, but sometimes, they just know what they want!

Best to you!
K.

Dear M.,
It's WAY easier getting it out of a bottle for him....this is called a nursing "strike" not unusual at this age when he is more interested in other things.
You can keep trying what you are doing and he may get back in the habit or he may not....Good luck.
You can contact La Leche League for advice too.

Don't panic! This is really normal for babies at this age. My daughter did this too. They just get really distracted and are excited about being able to move on their own that they forget they need to nurse. Most of the time, this is just a phase you have to wait out. Some things you can do in the mean time are to try nursing in a dark room with no distractions. Also, I would keep pumping when you can. Tabitha did this for about a week at this age, and then she got back into the nursing again. Finally, you could try a "nursing necklace," which is a beaded necklace that your baby can play with while he nurses (http://www.mommynecklaces.com/), you can buy them online at this address or you can also make them yourself. If all else fails, I would call the Le Leche league and find out if they have any other suggestions.
Good luck!
A.