14m suddenly refusing boob

[Alxx]

My LB is 14 months, he eats really well but is still breastfed first thing in the morning and last thing before bed and always seems to really like these feeds. He fed fine yesterday morning but last night he refused. He’d go to latch on for a second and then pull away crying. The more I tried the more upset he got so I gave up, and offered him some milk in a cup which he drank no problem. I was hoping this was a one-off but he’s been the same this morning.

I know at this age he can be weaned from breast milk but I hadn’t expected it to be so sudden or so upsetting for him! Does anyone have experience of this? I’m unsure whether it’s a sign to wean off the breast or just a temporary nursing strike...? What can cause a nursing strike?

Thanks.

Also I don’t think it’s a taste thing, like I’ve eaten something he doesn’t like, because I pumped last night after he refused but then he drank that milk this morning from a cup so must have tasted ok.

I had the complete opposite and had babies who wanted to feed forever! It's usually the mums who despair of ever weaning the baby off the breast. If he is otherwise happy and wants to drink from a cup then I suppose there's nothing else except to go along with it and be happy he's made the decision for you.

This happened to me - trying to latch then pulling away crying. Turned out she had hand foot and mouth - the rash started the next day. She had sores in her mouth and it was too painful to suck. It can happen with chicken pox too. I used the opportunity to stop breastfeeding - she was a similar age to your DS. We had quite a few days of very little liquid being consumed, then she got the hang of milk in a sippy cup and it was all fine! A month later and I was so glad I didn't have to wean her from the boob!

My DD2 did this at 13 months because I'd said ouch when she bit me. I just kept offering and, after a few days, she started latching on again and all was fine. She continued to BF morning and night until just before her third birthday.

Thanks for the replies.

@UpsAndDowns13 funny you say that as today I noticed a couple of little red marks, a bit like ulcers, on the inside of his bottom lip and thought maybe that’s why he won’t feed. Couldn’t see anything on his hands or feet but will definitely be keeping an eye out. He’s also been drooling loads but I’d just thought it was teething. Anything else I should be looking out for?

@birdonawire1 you may be right, at the moment I’m continuing to offer the boob, and then pumping and offering him the expressed milk which he’s drinking fine from a cup. I’ll keep trying for a few days but if no change then yes may be it’s just time to stop bf’ing...

It was a really obvious rash all over her body, you couldn't miss it, but any sort of mouth sores could be putting him off. I felt so awful about it because she was so ill and wanted boob for comfort but then each time it was painful and she'd pull away crying. It was horrible! If he seems otherwise well, then maybe it's a nursing strike. If you're ready to stop breastfeeding then take the opportunity to do it. If not, keep offering and he may decide he wants it again. I hope he is back to himself soon either way x

Thanks @UpsAndDowns13. We’ve been to the doctor today and turns out he’s got oral thrush so that explains the nursing strike. I haven’t quite decided whether to carry on trying to breastfeed or take it as a good time to stop...