https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 27 Apr 2026 23:44:24 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/2-week-nursing-strike-should-i-stop-trying#post-269825 Fri, 24 Aug 2012 12:56:59 +0000 BabyBoecksMom 269825@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@irene: I try to always keep an bottle of milk in the fridge at all times in case she didn't want to nurse (so I wouldn't be stressing trying to pump and feed it to her). And if I was out of milk and I didn't have enough time to pump before feeding her, I would throw 4 oz of water in the microwave for 17 sec and add formula to it. It's been a lifesaver when she's super hungry and there's no milk. </p> <p>There are plenty of times that I only get an oz or so. I wouldn't pump the amount I needed in each feeding each time I pumped... it was cumulative over the whole day. The first and last pump of the day, I pump both sides. But in between, I pump only one side at a time (same way I feed her), and I only get 1-3 oz at most. According to LLL and KelleyMom, that's normal. </p> <p>At her 6 month checkup, her pediatrician said that she doesn't need the calories overnight anymore and she was most likely just nursing to put herself back to sleep. So when we started sleep training, I took out one nursing session a night (just popped the pacifier in instead) and realized she really didn't need it. That was 3 weeks ago, and I still haven't weaned off my supply yet. If she wakes up and really does need to eat, I still have some left to nurse her at night. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/2-week-nursing-strike-should-i-stop-trying#post-267920 Thu, 23 Aug 2012 15:23:57 +0000 irene 267920@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@BabyBoecksMom: BTW what do you mean you have dropped the night nursing sessions? You mean you are not getting up to feed him at night?</p> <p>This is another dilemma. So far he still would take my breast before bedtime and he would get up once or twice to feed. If I wean off my supply and he cries during the night, it would suck to have to go get a bottle ready for him. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/2-week-nursing-strike-should-i-stop-trying#post-267914 Thu, 23 Aug 2012 15:21:35 +0000 irene 267914@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@BabyBoecksMom: I am sorry to hear that - but that's similar to what I am thinking too. For me it is even trickier because there are times that I pump and would yield 1 oz or so. It is usually when I am upset, stressed out, or off schedule.</p> <p>Like today, our nanny had an emergency and had to leave, so I was dealing with LO on my own. It used to be so easy when he takes my boobs. Now he won't take my boobs so I was in a frantic trying to pump. It didn't work. I went and warm up a bottle and try to feed him while my client is calling...etc. I tried multiple times to pump afterwards and still not much came out. So basically I couldn't pump almost half a day even though I know a lot of milk is in there that can't get out. This just won't work when I am alone with LO. I just feel so inadequate when I can't even take care of my child on my own, so maybe I'll give up soon too.... At least formula will be waiting for me and I don't need to worry about mastitis and how the milk in me is not getting out...etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/2-week-nursing-strike-should-i-stop-trying#post-267869 Thu, 23 Aug 2012 14:43:20 +0000 BabyBoecksMom 267869@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@irene: Since we dropped the night nursing sessions, I've pretty much stopped trying to nurse and now pump exclusively. I think it's a mixture of all of the things you said. One thing I have found, is she will nurse sitting up facing me, but that's awkward for both of us and doesn't usually last long. But her two top teeth are also coming in, so I can't blame her for not wanting to nurse on those swollen gums. </p> <p>It's a lot of work and I'm honestly plan on giving it all up in the next month or so (I'm building up a stash to hopefully last another month after I finish). :-( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/2-week-nursing-strike-should-i-stop-trying#post-267846 Thu, 23 Aug 2012 14:25:14 +0000 irene 267846@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@BabyBoecksMom: Is it all good now? How are you guys doing?</p> <p>I want to know because the same thing is happening to my LO :-( He is almost 7 months now, and this is by far one of the worst and longest nursing strike for us. I am not sure anymore if it is his behavior that's changing (that he is no longer a baby and doesn't want to lay down and take from a boob, and he maybe too used to the bottle?) , his top 2 front teeth is coming in, or what's the deal. I am thinking of giving up too :-( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/2-week-nursing-strike-should-i-stop-trying#post-254650 Fri, 10 Aug 2012 12:07:08 +0000 enjollah 254650@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@BabyBoecksMom: I'm so glad you posted because my LO is doing the same thing. Monday and Tuesday were hell because his teeth popped out from the gums. The teething pain seems better but the nursing is still a struggle. I have been using a bottle more because when he constantly delatches, he does it before it triggers letdown and the next thing you know there's milk everywhere. Ugh! Like the other ladies said, make sure you continue to pump to keep your supply going. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/2-week-nursing-strike-should-i-stop-trying#post-254414 Fri, 10 Aug 2012 10:06:50 +0000 BabyBoecksMom 254414@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>SHE NURSED!!!! She actually wanted to nurse last night, so I think we're making progress :-) Yay!! </p> <p>Thank you for the support ladies - it really helped to pull me up and keep me positive. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/2-week-nursing-strike-should-i-stop-trying#post-252222 Wed, 08 Aug 2012 15:07:42 +0000 rachiecakes 252222@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@BabyBoecksMom: DS did the same thing last month just before he turned 7 months old! He stopped nursing during the day altogether. I still can't get him to sit and nurse during the daylight hours unless he's tired or upset... so frustrating.<br /> I did want to say though - this was RIGHT before he got two teeth! it was one tooth one week and another the next. He still only nurses at night but at least I know what started it all. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/2-week-nursing-strike-should-i-stop-trying#post-252211 Wed, 08 Aug 2012 14:56:29 +0000 BabyBoecksMom 252211@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@irene: Thanks for checking in. I haven't been able to try the bath yet because we've been getting home later than usual the last couple of nights, but I'm going to try it tonight. But I think we're making some progress because she's been nursing at night!!</p> <p>But we're taking two steps back because when I offer it in the mornings, she's been biting me. Not cool! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/2-week-nursing-strike-should-i-stop-trying#post-252205 Wed, 08 Aug 2012 14:52:38 +0000 irene 252205@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@BabyBoecksMom: how are you guys doing now? Any success? Did u try the bath? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/2-week-nursing-strike-should-i-stop-trying#post-250213 Mon, 06 Aug 2012 20:32:41 +0000 T.H.O.U. 250213@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@BabyBoecksMom: I've heard that if you can get them to relax in the bath with you (skin to skin) sometimes thats a good quiet place to reintroduce nursing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/2-week-nursing-strike-should-i-stop-trying#post-250205 Mon, 06 Aug 2012 20:26:18 +0000 BabyBoecksMom 250205@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Thehistoryofus: So far she's only had a bath in her tub, but she loves it! I always felt weird about bathing with her (nit sure why), but if it can bring us closer again, I'm definitely up for trying it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/2-week-nursing-strike-should-i-stop-trying#post-250189 Mon, 06 Aug 2012 20:17:23 +0000 T.H.O.U. 250189@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@BabyBoecksMom: How does she do in the bath? What if you got in the bath with her? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/2-week-nursing-strike-should-i-stop-trying#post-249922 Mon, 06 Aug 2012 16:26:36 +0000 BabyBoecksMom 249922@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Thehistoryofus: I try to nurse her in her room, where it's nice and quiet. But every time I try to sit down in the rocker, she starts fussing and pushing away. I don't push it because I don't want to create a bad experience for it. I'll try doing it with some skin to skin and see if that can make a difference. </p> <p>@irene: The only time I can sneak in a nursing session is when she's asleep. :-( So frustrating! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/2-week-nursing-strike-should-i-stop-trying#post-249736 Mon, 06 Aug 2012 14:25:27 +0000 irene 249736@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It is heartbreaking just to hear that :(</p> <p>I agree with Thehistoryofus - did you try a lot of skin-to-skin? That is, take off your baby's clothes and take off your top and bra, and play with her for some time. A few people also suggest getting into the bath with your LO in a big tub, playing with floating ducks together, so she remembers the loving and bonding part of breastfeeding. When mine went on nursing strike (a couple of times, all lasts for 1-4 days and knocking on wood that it won't return) that's what I did. Not sure how much it helped but he did nurse afterwards.</p> <p>Also nurse her when she's very sleepy and/or when she just woke up helps a lot too...... Best wishes to you and I hope this phase will be over for you soon..... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/2-week-nursing-strike-should-i-stop-trying#post-249698 Mon, 06 Aug 2012 13:54:24 +0000 runsyellowlites 249698@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@BabyBoecksMom: I would pump to be sure to keep your supply up &amp; take the suggestions above.... Maybe even try some reverse cycling. Sounds like lo may just be easily distracted &amp; wanting to do other things. I read that it's rare that a baby under a year would self wean but that they do go through stages where mom could easily read their behavior as so. I know kellymom has a write up on nursing strikes so it may be worth reading! GL :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/2-week-nursing-strike-should-i-stop-trying#post-249614 Mon, 06 Aug 2012 12:52:31 +0000 T.H.O.U. 249614@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It sounds like it may just be typical for the age. I would do lots of skin to skin bonding time and quiet places for her to nurse. It also helped us to have a specific seat where I would nurse her. Around 6 months we also really started pushing the word "Milk" and the hand sign for it. When she would pop off, we would remind her, "drink your milk" and she would go back to nursing. </p> <p>Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/2-week-nursing-strike-should-i-stop-trying#post-249610 Mon, 06 Aug 2012 12:49:40 +0000 BabyBoecksMom 249610@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My LO is about 6.5 months old now. And for the past 2 weeks or so, she has decided she doesn't want to nurse. She'll latch for a minute or two and pop off, arching her back and fussing/crying if I try to put her back on. I have been able to get her to nurse a few times at night, but for the most part, it's all bottles since that's what she gets at daycare. </p> <p>Should I just give in and only pump? Anyone have any tips for how to handle this? It's heartbreaking to me because it feels like she doesn't want that closeness anymore. :-( </p>