Nursing Strike

[Nursingmama]

My baby is 8 months old and has been breastfeeding well. He’s had a viral cold and has not breastfed for almost 24 hours. I keep offering but he is just screaming at my breast. I don’t know to do. He has a reaction to dairy so I can’t give him formula and when I pump I’m not getting much to give him in a bottle. I can’t stop crying as I feel like this is the end our journey. I woke up this morning and he’d not fed for 18 hours and my boobs didn’t even full or engorged which I would fully expect them to. Any advice please? I just don’t have the capacity to keep pumping to keep my supply up. Thank you!

Mine did this occasionally and they both went back to feeding when they were better. Have you tried giving any Calpol in case they have a sore throat and then trying to feed half an hour later? Your breasts won't feel engorged...they can regulate in relation to what your baby is doing. Not feeding for a day now won't impact your supply like it does with a newborn. Just pump a few times a day and keep offering the breast to baby. Could you use some pumped milk to make some mini ice lollies in case baby does have a sore throat?

We had a nursing strike at 5 month and because he wasn't on any solids foods yet I had to give in and resort to pumping only. It was soo much harder than ebf!! I hope you manage to get him back on soon! Is he weaning okay? You could try and up his meals/snacks if you haven't already. If he will eat purees/solid food then it would indicate his throat is okay! He could be letting you know he's ready to wean off the boob, but I would keep trying while you still have supply available! Sorry I can't be much more help, but you have my sympathies, I was devastated.

You’ve had some excellent advice already . One other way of trying to get them to feed is to have a bath together.

Lots of skin to skin, dark room, keep offering. Also, if you know others who BF, meet up so that seeing others prompts him to feed. Hope it passes soon for you, pumping is a pain!!