10mth old refusing to bf

[Woba]

My 10+mth old has been successfully solely bf until now. We've been down to 2 feeds a day (on advice of HV) for a while now, but with no problems. All of a sudden yesterday & today he won't go near me for a feed - gets very very upset screaming & tears which is so out of character. He took expressed from a bottle just fine (once I'd spent a while preparing it!) so it isn't the milk itself he seems to have a problem with.
My gut feeling is its something to do with his teeth (now has 3 lower and 1 upper) - he had started clamping on & pulling which as much as I tried not to react to I did as it was really quite painful. He had his morning one OK despite this yesterday.

Any ideas? Is it a natural progression away from bf? I had hoped to bf for another couple of months.

It's a nursing strike, quite often caused by teething. They associate feeding with pain.

At this age they can last around 1-2 weeks, which is emotionally exhausting, as everyday can feel like forever.

You can take him to the doctor to rule out anything, like ear infections.

Most people find that feeds either when they're drowsy (just woken up) or still asleep work first.

Key is just casually offer, but don't force the issue as that will create more problems

You can also search nursing strikes, there has been a 10 monthers lately. I reckon someone tomorrow will probably come along with a link.

This doesn't have to be the end if you don't want, but be prepared for a tough ride. It's hard but try not to take it as personal rejection, because it is no reflection what you whatsoever.

If you're worried about supply, then pump. Your supply will most likely dip anyway, but trust that when he started feeding again it will sort itself out.

Also if you want feed more than twice a day, then do so :)

good luck

Thank you. That is so helpful - and encouraging.

(If I knew how to add an smiley/emoticon - it would be smiley!)

Kellymom has some info too, although I'd agree with everything PenguinArmy said.

Nursing strikes are tough and it's hard not to take it personally. My DS went on strike at 13 m.o. for 12 days - it turned out he had an ear and chest infection as well as sickness bug, teething and conjunctivitis all at once. Antibiotics sorted it out and he's still very much enjoying bf a couple of months later.

Let us know how it goes.

Thanks both.

I'm so glad I reverted to MumsNet when I did. It gave me the confidence to know this problem can happen & can be managed - and that it has a name!I've also now spoken to helplines - who reinforced your advice & possibly to try getting him to take a teether before a feed so he can clamp on that as much as poss & not on me (not convinced - but worth a try if necessary I guess) & to try a more supported hold so he doesn't feel he may slip - I have tried this by coincidence and it may be helping.

I think I was lucky to take advice quite early on as we seem to be making progress now -before (in my mind) he got too traumatised by the whole thing & it reinforced his bad associations.

So - it started on Friday, he took a 5min feed happily straight from an afternoon nap on Sunday, refused any before bed so we just skipped milk (& he slept as normal) , had a 5oz bottle about 10am Monday and took that so happily and seemed to want more that I tried him on me - and had 10mins , had another 5mins 3pm & 5mins at bedtime. Waited till he went back to sleep this morning and then tried and he took 20mins. When he has refused we just immediately stop so that he doesn't get upset.

Not completely resolved, but very much on the way and I certainly know what to try. I was wondering, before hearing from you if I needed to go on to Formula - that is no longer a consideration.

Thank you so much.

Glad to hear that he's had some feeds at least, and I hope he manages to get back to normal soon.