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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

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Original poster

Nursing strike- how long before have to offer formula?

14 replies

thefabfour · 18/03/2008 16:07

DC3 (10mo) not well since Sunday night and refusing to bf from yesterday 2pm.

I am offering him ebm but only getting 2oz at a time, if that. I am also offering him water. He will take both from a cup.

I am unsure when I will have to start ofering formula. My understanding is that babies this age need about a pint of milk?

Also can my supply cope with this?

OP posts:

hotcrossMonkeybun · 18/03/2008 16:14

Hi, We've had lots of nursing strikes so I empathise. My experience is that your supply will cope but you might have to put some effort into letting him build up supply again when back to normal. I have to say - I'm not a BF or nutrition expert - at 10mo, I wouldn't be worrying too much. If he's taking water you know he's not going to be dehydrated, and if you try and force the BF it may make the strike go on longer IME. Is he eating other stuff for calories etc?

I guess if he doesn't have much milk for a few days he may be a bit short on calcium and fats etc, but if he's happy to have yoghurt, buttered toast etc, you'll probably get away with it.

You might want to see if someone more nutritionally qualified comes along but I have found chilling out and waiting till he's ready to be fine.
I suspect it is more of an issue for non-weaned babies. I am assuming he's had solids for a while?

Piffle · 18/03/2008 16:15

if he doesn't want breastmilk doubtful he would drink formula. If he is not well let him self regulate. He needs to drink enough to stay hydrated. No need to offer anything except perhaps wAter if anything?

Original poster

thefabfour · 18/03/2008 19:25

Thank you both for your replies. Completely agree, Monkey, i do need to chill out and wait. Just finding it difficult. How long did your strikes last?

& thanks Piffle, it is a good point. He is not taking ebm so, i agree he won't take formula either.

OP posts:

hotcrossMonkeybun · 18/03/2008 20:25

a few days only fabfour but he does keep doing it when slightly under the weather (today in fact!) but now he's eating a bit of solid food and will drink water from a doidy cup (well, when I say drink, I mean spit it down his front of course) I'm less bothered. It was much harder when he was exclusively BF...

Original poster

thefabfour · 19/03/2008 13:29

Thanks for your help, monkey.

It is now 48 hours since he last fed and he is still refusing all attempts to feed. His rash has all but gone and I thought that would be a return to normal, but no such luck.

I'm not managing to pump much at all- so don't imagine that I will be able to maintain a milk supply much longer.

Just feel really sad. I'm not ready to give this up and tbh, I don't think he is either

OP posts:

MonkeybirdisboredWITHbuns · 19/03/2008 20:48

oh fabfour (have changed name BTW) sorry to hear it's still rough. Mine is being a bit of a bugger and feeding less but wondering if that is just weaning...

But if he's refusing milk altogether I really don't know - think you probably need to speak to a BF counsellor who might advise. there's some info on nursing strikes on the www.kellymom.com site and I know Bumperlicious has replied to me very helpfully before...

Sorry not to be more help. But good luck and I'm sure there's a way for it not to be the end, even if you have to pump for a while - does he take the EBM now?

Piffle · 20/03/2008 06:45

my ds2 has cut down his feeds massively ANC now showing only passing interest in one boob. He is 1 on Saturday. When you say no feeds is that
none as in not one suck? How is he taking fluids? Your supply should be well established enough to keep going. Is he eating any solids?

zebedee1 · 20/03/2008 09:19

hi Fabfour, my 10 month old DS has just ended a 3 day nursing strike here! He's had them before and they seem to last 2-4 days. Like the others say, at 10 months you probably just need to keep him hydrated (my DS had water as he hates formula and EBM with a passion). I also gave him some yoghurt which he seems to like when he is ill. I did express some milk in the evening only but no supply problems once he got back to feeding. Hope your DS feels better soon x

Original poster

thefabfour · 20/03/2008 15:13

Here again- now into day 3 of the 'great strike'! When I offer him the breast he shakes his head and gets upset altho' I have had some moments when it looks as tho he might take it...

Piffle- yes, no feeds, as in not even one tiny suck. TBH this is the bit that is really getting me down. He is eating solids but he won't take a bottle, or drink from a beaker and we are literally forcing ebm and water down his throat to keep him hydrated.

I've bought some formula just in case I can't express enough, but he is taking so little ebm that i really can't see him taking formula either.

Zebedee- thanks for your words of encouragment. Its very fustrating, isn't it?

OP posts:

Piffle · 20/03/2008 18:07

ow is he sleeping at night? Could you try to sleep dream feed him? Can do this with ds2 without waking him...

Piffle · 20/03/2008 18:12

also teething ... I remember dd went right off boob and drinking. She took open cup ok though.

Original poster

thefabfour · 20/03/2008 21:43

I tried that last night Piffle and he still refused. Am planning on trying again tonight.

Part of the problem is that he sucks on his hand as soon as a boob comes within range of his mouth. If you move his habd away he gets upset.

Saying that, we had a rough night with him last night as he was clearly wanting some milk but unwilling to feed. Had to give him a cup of ebm.

OP posts:

Original poster

thefabfour · 20/03/2008 21:45

I also feel when talking to people that I'm making something out of nothing.

Almost as if he's (all of) 10 mo and if he wants to wean, then let him. My mum said on the phone earlier on' well of course he is refusing, why would he want any of that at his age??? My mum is a committed ff.

OP posts:

zebedee1 · 20/03/2008 21:54

I'm sure I read on the kellymom site that a nursing strike very rarely leads to self weaning? Is your DS teething, he sounds like he is suffering a bit. Have you tried skin to skin contact with him and/or sleeping with him? My DS was unwell when he went on nursing strike and was sleeping with me when he decided to stop by the 24 hour milk bar in the middle of the night! Really feel for you, it's horrid when they're not themselves isn't it.

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