*** Resolving a Nursing Strike ***

Just when you think that you have mastered the art of parenting, mother nature conspires with that adorable little munchkin of yours to throw a wicked googly at you. And before you even know what struck you in the face, you are left confused and stressed. That was exactly what happened when Baby V decided to call a "nursing strike" on me. Apparently, he wasn't satisfied by the management, aka mommy.


Nursing strike is a legit word, actually, I promise I didn't make it up! It's a situation where your baby, who enjoyed being at the breast at every given chance, decides he can't bear to even look at it anymore. A nursing strike is a sign that something is so wrong, that baby can't even breastfeed, something they were doing so effortlessly till then.


Nursing strikes maybe due to one of the number of reasons such as sores in mouth, teething, ear infection, throat pain, stuffed nose, reduced milk supply, change in the way you smell(new soap or perfume), difference in taste of milk(can be caused by hormone changes, pregnancy or inflamed breasts), using bottles(baby may start preferring bottle - hey, who likes hard work?) etc.


The refusal to nurse can last for a few days and it is pretty stressful for both baby and the mom, because suddenly a source of comfort has been cut off. Besides baby not getting a comfort food, it turns painful for the mother in the form of confusion such as "will baby nurse again?" and also due to engorged breasts.


So here's how you can deal with a nursing strike, when your baby has decided to pull one on you:-

1) Keep encouraging baby to feed. Expect your patience limits to be tested.

2) Encourage baby to spend time on your bare chest even if he/she is not nursing.

3) Try "dream feeding". Turn baby towards you breasts and let him/her feel the warmth. Gently brush your nipple on baby's lips and try to get baby to latch on. Should be done when baby is sleeping, but not in deep sleep.

4) Keep expressing and feed baby with spoon and vati, or better yet a Paaladai.

5) Keep the room distraction free and quite. You don't want more mayhem!

6) Try nursing in motion, like walking.


A nursing strike is challenging, but persistence can bring the feed right back on track. Finding out the reason of strike could go a long way to help you in handling and resolving it quickly. Meanwhile, don't forget to give baby lot of warm cuddles and wet kisses!!