7 Tips for Coping with Breastfeeding Strikes

Written by Jodi Cleghorn Tuesday, June 02 2009 01:23

Mom Topics - Breastfeeding

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When Dylan stopped feeding during the day around four months of age I had no idea how to deal with it.  I didn’t even know if it had an ‘official’ name so I called it as I saw it. My son was striking!  Following are seven simple tips for coping with a breastfeeding strike, based on my own personal experience.

Babies Are Not Trying to Wean

A baby going on a breastfeeding strike, refusing or becoming fussy at the breast before the age of nine months is doing so because of some other problem. It is not in their evolutionary make up to deny themselves what nature intended. A four month old baby is not trying to wean – they are more likely distracted!  Looking for another reason, rather than jumping to the weaning assumption will ensure you find the true cause and continue to breastfeed.

Problems Happen

Like all things in life a strike will not last forever.  Reciting the mantra “this too will pass” will help to keep you moving forward through this period.  Breastfeeding is not easy and there are challenges throughout a breastfeeding career.  Talk to other mothers. Share your experiences and ask them for theirs.  If you are concerned or the problems persist see a lactation consultant or call the breastfeeding support line in your state or province. A lactation consultant or breastfeeding counselor will help you pin point potential problems and suggest strategies to get you breastfeeding again.  She’ll also reassure a breastfeeding strike or fussiness is completely normal.

Change Where You Breastfeed

From six weeks onwards babies become increasingly aware of their environment.  Around four months there is a big leap in cognitive awareness which can make anything other than a mother’s breast more interesting to a baby. Choosing a low stimulation environment is the best bet.  Even the TV can be too much a distraction.  Accept the change as an opportunity to get some rest.  Lying on the bed breastfeeding with a book is a great way to recharge and relax.

Keep Your Breasts Well Drained

If a breastfeeding strike is creating engorged breasts you need to express the milk to avoid blocked ducts and the possibility of mastitis.  Learn how to hand express or if you have a breast pump, express the additional milk and store it for a rainy day.  There is a good chance in the future you may look back gratefully at your breastfeeding strike for the stockpile of expressed milk in your freezer.

Optimise Your Breastfeeding Time

In my case breastfeeding during the day was impossible but during the night there were no problems. Dylan had unrestricted access to my breasts during the night. Often babies will attach and feed better when they are relaxed, while they’re asleep or as they are waking up.  Being willing to be flexible is the key.  Leave non essential baby care routines (such as nappy changes) to after feed times and don't try if you are annoyed and upset or you baby is.

Skin to Skin Time

Creating opportunities for unrestricted access to your breasts can help a baby, provides additional chances to feed. You can do this by taking long luxurious baths together, spend  time topless holding and cuddling your baby or consider co-sleeping if you are not already.

Release Your Negative Feelings

Anger, frustration, disappointment and the other negative emotions attached to breastfeeding strikes can provide an emotional undercurrent for mastitis to feed on.  Mastitis while an actual physical illness is also an emotional manifestation and a signal that you are tired and run down.  Traditional Chinese medicine has the liver qi line running through the breasts and anger, frustration and being pissed off will manifest as blockages in the energy line. If you are feeling any negative emotions let them out – ring up a friend or share your feelings with your partner/spouse or have a good cry.  Keeping it in will only harm you and your baby.

Breastfeeding strikes are more common than most women realise. Some strikes last a day or so.  Others mothers such as me, suffer through a week or more.  If babies are not striking, they may become fussy or difficult to put to or keep at the breast.

Very few mothers who breastfeed for any length of time find they make it through breastfeeding without a problem.  As they progress in their breastfeeding relationship new problems and challenges confront them.  Employing the seven tips above will assist you through the hardest parts of a breastfeeding strike and help you come out the other side with your baby still at the breast.

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Jodi Cleghorn is a Brisbane mother, writer, lactivist and natural birth advocate. When she's not writing breastfeeding articles she is working on her fiction stories including a new novella. Her new blog Writing in Black and White chronicles her journey as a writer, editor and publisher.

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