9mo nursing strike - should I give formula?

[molejazz]

My DS has been on strike for two nights and a day now, and I'm wondering if I should be giving him some formula? I spoke to a HCP who said 600mls of milk a day is the norm, and he's certainly not getting that in EBM. He's BLW and off his food a bit too (i.e. mostly only eating banana)

He was sick with some sort of virus and his temp is now down but seems to be having teeth issues? He's fed once when drowsy after a sleep and once when we were playing around on the bed, but cries and pulls away when we sit in our normal bf position.

I know nothing, but if it's opinions you are after, if there's no ebm available, then I would.

can you bf him in a dreamfeed?

Have you read this?

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/breast_and_bottle_feeding/1051134-Nursing-strike

It's an old thread of mine from when my DD went on a nursing strike, may be of some use.

I didn't give formula, only gave what little I could express. I was sure she'd go back to the breast and would catch up in her own time (and she did) :)

I'd take him to the GP and get his ears checked. My DS did this at 13 months and it turned out he had an ear & chest infection. (I posted about it here.)

He would still feed to sleep when due a nap and very occasionally on waking or in the night. He had 3 feeds a day instead of his usual 6 or so. The strike lasted for 12 days total.

I put EBM in things like porridge pancakes for him, although he was very much off his food too. He would still drink EBM & water out of a cup though.

My main concern would be to get fluids into him (ideally EBM) rather than worrying too much about nutrition at this stage.

DS did have a catch-up after the strike was over - with both bf and food. :)

Thanks both - jemjabella I remember your strike!

Yes I think I will take him to the Dr again - his chest and ears were clear before he started the strike but something might have developed.

Thanks for the reassurance about nutrition, it's just such an emotional experience isn't it?

My DS did this for five days when he was the same age - I just kept on cup feeding EBM. He had been a little bit poorly too, and I think he had a sore throat which didn't help. Woke up on day six and had forgotten all about it!

Just keep offering, but not pushing it, and he'll probably start up again when he feels better. Felt like a very long five days though, I agree about getting v. emotional.

Oh, I found it so hard not to take it personally and worry. I was glad of having read others' experiences, like jemjabella when it happened to us.;

My dd had a two-day strike at 7m.After telling me that "maybe she just wants to stop bf" my GP checked her ears which were inflamed.She was teething,and it was just painful for her to feed.I didn't give her any formula,she had expressed milk from a cup,and then she started bf again.still feeding (she is three) with no repeat strikes.

Hello MoleJazz,

Just wanted to say that this has happened to me before with my children (BFed). I think it's a normal part of being ill. We adults do it - how much do you eat when you are ill? I will usually want nothing more than some sips water and have a sice or two of toast. My little ones do that too. I think he's just doing the baby equivilant. Like others have said, it is worth taking him to the GP first to check for infection - especially ear infections.
Then just follow your babies lead. You will know if your baby becomes dehydrated and he would have to very very ill to let himself get that way. I can remember how worrying it is when babies and young children do this - but try to ride it out. He is taking little bits and just remember all those lovely anti-bodies in your breastmilk!

Also, if you are really feeling stressed when you are trying to feed him, your stress could be stopping your letdown reflex, which is making him even more fussy. Try to take some deep breaths and drop your shoulders when he is looking like he wants to feed.

I would bet that even if you did try him with a bottle, he wouldn't be interested. If he did take it, it could dent your milk supply and mess with your BF, which is fine if you want to start FF, but if you want to keep on BF, I would just ride it out.

All the best and I hope he's better soon x x x

Where did the HCP get 600mls from, if comparing to formula the amounts are really not compatible. Hope the doc goes well.

Anyway as others said, don't take it personally, give yourself permission to cry and find it horrible and write off any jobs and look after yourself where you can.

Our nursing strike was when she was 12 weeks, which although short (3-5days) was very stressful as so young. It seems like older babies can strike for a lot longer so be prepared for a rough few weeks.

Personally if your DS is eating solids and getting a drowsy feed or two, then I wouldn't give formula.

Good luck

Well I took him to the Dr and there's no sign of anything wrong except for some red gums, so most likely it's molars.

We'll see how things go. Another quick feed today playing on the bed so I'm sure he'll come round eventually. Thanks for your support :)

Quick update: DS has been back on for a day now. It's lovely :)

Brilliant - so pleased for you! :)

great news