It can be distressing when your baby refuses to feed, but there are things you can try to help.
When faced with a fussy or reluctant feeder, it’s natural to feel stressed. Start by calming yourself with deep breaths or relaxation techniques. This can in turn help soothe your baby and facilitate milk flow.
Breast refusal is a common issue with many underlying reasons. Your baby’s stage of development and health can contribute to this behavior. Regardless of the cause, there are strategies you can attempt to address the situation.
Understanding Milk Flow
If your baby is not latching due to slow or insufficient milk flow, try using breast compressions to stimulate let-downs and enhance milk flow speed.
For babies accustomed to fast bottle feeding, consider paced bottle feeding or using a cup. Remind your baby of breastfeeding by expressing some milk into their mouth.
Exploring Different Approaches
- Look for optimal feeding times, such as after waking up or when sleepy.
- Respond promptly to hunger cues.
- Experiment with breastfeeding after a soothing bath.
- Try feeding in the bath together for a calming effect.
- Engage in skin-to-skin contact before offering the breast.
Minimizing Distractions
- Feed in a quiet, dimly lit room.
- Use a baby-safe necklace or toy for focus.
- Avoid distractions like phone use or TV watching.
- Maintain eye contact with your baby.
- Consider relaxing music in the background.
Promoting Relaxation
- Rock or carry your baby to help them relax.
- Sing or play calming music.
- Allow your partner to soothe the baby.
Experimenting with Different Positions
- Feed in an upright position while walking around.
- Try unconventional positions like lying down together.
Remaining Calm and Patient
When faced with feeding challenges, maintain a calm and gentle demeanor. Try relaxation techniques and seek support from your partner or a healthcare provider if needed.
Focus on creating a peaceful environment to facilitate successful feeding sessions.
If tensions rise, take a break and try again when both you and your baby are in a calmer state.
Understanding Nursing Strikes
A nursing strike can be concerning but is often temporary. It can be triggered by several factors, including:
- Illness or pain: Sometimes, babies may refuse to breastfeed if they are feeling unwell or experiencing pain.
- Teething: Teething can be a painful process for babies, leading them to avoid nursing temporarily.
- Changes in routine: Babies thrive on routine, so any significant changes in their environment or schedule can lead to a nursing strike.
- Stress or overstimulation: Babies can become overwhelmed by too much stimulation or stress, causing them to refuse breastfeeding.
If your baby is on a nursing strike, it’s important to stay calm and patient. Offer your breast frequently, try different positions, and create a calm and quiet environment for nursing. Consult with a lactation consultant or your healthcare provider for additional support and guidance.
Possible Reasons for Breast Refusal
Various physical and emotional factors can contribute to breast refusal, including teething, infection, and changes in the breastfeeding parent.
Identify potential reasons for your baby’s reluctance and try different strategies to reintroduce breastfeeding.
Other common reasons for breast refusal include nipple confusion from using pacifiers or bottles, a strong let-down reflex causing discomfort for the baby, and a change in the taste of breast milk due to medications or certain foods consumed by the breastfeeding parent.
It is important to seek support from a lactation consultant or healthcare provider if you are experiencing challenges with breastfeeding. They can offer personalized advice and guidance to help resolve any issues and support you and your baby on your breastfeeding journey.
Methods to Re-engage Your Baby with Breastfeeding
- Minimize distractions during feeding sessions.
- Experiment with different feeding positions.
- Introduce breastmilk in creative ways, like breastmilk ice lollies.
Ensuring Adequate Nutrition
If breastfeeding is not an option, ensure your baby receives sufficient nutrition through alternative feeding methods.
- Continue to maintain your milk supply through expressing.
- Consider offering formula or cow’s milk under professional guidance.
- Consult with a pediatrician or lactation consultant to determine the best feeding option for your baby’s needs.
- Monitor your baby’s growth and development to ensure they are receiving adequate nutrition.
- Stay informed about nutrition guidelines for infants to make informed decisions about your baby’s diet.
Supporting Breastfeeding Parents
Provide emotional and practical support to breastfeeding parents during challenging times. Encourage a nurturing and supportive environment for successful feeding.
Accessing Professional Help
Seek assistance from breastfeeding counsellors or health professionals if needed. Support and guidance are available through helplines and local resources.
When your baby rejects breastfeeding, known as breast refusal or a ‘nursing strike,’ it can be unsettling. They may cry, scream, or turn away when you try to nurse them.
They might resist latching or stop sucking after a short while.
This situation can be distressing, as it may feel like your baby is pushing you away. Breast refusal is a common issue that is usually temporary and can occur at different stages of your baby’s development.
If you are experiencing difficulty coping with the end of breastfeeding, remember that it’s okay to seek help from professionals or support groups. Talking to other mothers who have gone through similar experiences can also provide valuable insights and emotional support.
Remember to take care of yourself during this challenging time. Practice self-care and give yourself grace as you navigate this transition. It’s important to prioritize your well-being and mental health.
How to encourage your baby to breastfeed:
If your baby is refusing to breastfeed, there are several strategies you can try to encourage them to feed:
- Make sure your baby is comfortable and in a quiet, calm environment.
- Check if your baby is hungry and try to feed them before they get too hungry and frustrated.
- Offer your breast frequently to your baby, even if they initially refuse. Persistence can sometimes pay off.
- Try different breastfeeding positions to see if your baby is more comfortable in a different position.
- Consult with a lactation consultant or healthcare provider for support and guidance.
- Avoid introducing bottles or pacifiers too early, as this can sometimes lead to nipple confusion and refusal to breastfeed.
- Ensure that you are getting enough rest, eating well, and staying hydrated to maintain a good milk supply for your baby.
- Stay patient and calm during feeding times, as your baby can pick up on your stress or anxiety.
Remember that every baby is different, and what works for one may not work for another. Keep trying different strategies and seeking support until you find what works best for you and your baby.
How do I encourage my baby to breastfeed?
If your baby refuses breastfeeding, avoid trying to force your nipple into their mouth. Instead, try alternative feeding strategies.
Here are some suggestions for managing breast refusal:
- Create a calm and peaceful feeding environment by dimming the lights.
- Engage in soothing activities like singing, rocking, or playing calming music.
- Feed your baby when they are drowsy, just before or after naptime.
- Promote skin-to-skin contact with your baby outside of feeding times.
- Experiment with different feeding positions that your baby may prefer.
- Stay calm, practice deep breathing or meditation to stay relaxed for both you and your baby.
- Offer your breast rather than a pacifier.
What should I do if my baby continues to refuse breastfeeding?
If feeding challenges persist, expressing or pumping milk at regular feeding times can help maintain your milk supply. You can then give this expressed milk to your baby using a bottle.
When should I worry about breast refusal?
Monitoring how many feeds your baby refuses each day can help determine if they are getting enough breastmilk. Babies’ feeding patterns change as they grow, with newborns needing to feed every 2 to 4 hours.
Questions to consider when addressing breast refusal include:
- How many wet diapers does your baby have daily?
- Is your baby following a healthy growth curve on baby growth charts?
- Does your baby show fussiness or difficulty while feeding?
- Is your baby otherwise healthy?
When should I see a healthcare professional?
Distinguishing between feeding refusal and being full is important. Even if your baby refuses some feeds, they may still show signs of receiving enough breastmilk.
If you have concerns about your baby’s feeding behavior, consult a healthcare provider for evaluation.
FIND A HEALTH SERVICE — Use the Service Finder to locate doctors, pharmacies, hospitals, and other health services.
Resources and support
Despite the challenges of breast refusal, support and guidance are available. Seek help with breastfeeding from:
- Your midwife or child health nurse
- Your doctor
- A certified lactation consultant
The Australian Breastfeeding Association provides advice and support on refusal issues. Contact their Breastfeeding Helpline at 1800 mum2mum (1800 686 268).
Do you prefer to read in languages other than English?
- Health Translations offers breastfeeding information and positions in multiple languages.
- If you need an interpreter, contact the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) at 131 450 to connect with the Breastfeeding Helpline at 1800 686 268.
Looking for information for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people?
- — ‘Ngaminjang Djama’ provides breastfeeding stories and resources tailored for the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities.
Speak to a maternal child health nurse
Contact Pregnancy, Birth, and Baby to speak with a maternal child health nurse at 1800 882 436 or via video call, available daily from 7 am to midnight (AET).
It’s common for breastfed babies to refuse nursing occasionally, so don’t worry!
What to do if your baby is refusing to feed
Watch this video where NHS Infant Feeding Advisor Gina shares tips on managing breast refusal.
What are the symptoms?
When you try to breastfeed, your baby may get frustrated, moving their head from side to side.
What are the causes?
Possible causes of breast refusal include:
- Sickness, tiredness, lack of hunger
- ‘Nipple confusion’ from bottle feeding, pacifiers, or nipple shields
- Unpleasant feeding experiences, like forcefully encouraging feeding
- Feeling full from sources like formula milk, water, or solid foods
- Teething or mouth thrush making feeding uncomfortable
- Effects of drugs or alcohol in breast milk changing the taste
- Changes in your scent or taste affecting the baby’s willingness to feed
- Menstrual cycle affecting breast milk taste
What’s the solution?
Patience is often the solution, as your baby will eventually get hungry enough to feed. Maximize skin-to-skin contact to respond promptly when your baby shows hunger signs. If refusal continues after a few hours, seek advice from healthcare professionals.
If your baby appears sleepy and is under 2 weeks old, contact your maternity unit immediately.