WHY WON’T MY BABY SUCK?

Believe me…I know that feeling... when your baby rejects your breast milk. It can be a very disturbing moment for mothers and some take it very personal. In most cases, breast refusals are temporary and could vary with the health or stage in development of the child at that time. It is important to know why your baby won’t suck and know what to do to encourage your baby to suckle.

Before getting worried over your baby’s refusal to suck, quickly check the number of feeds your baby have had or is completely refusing in a day. Check nappies if wet as this can cause discomfort for the child  and also check the number of wet nappies in 24 hours because urine and stool tells a lot about what is going on inside your baby’s body.

Distractions, distress or restlessness can cause your baby to refuse your breast even when hungry. This can make your baby to be fussy and may finish feeds after series of stops and starts .Your milk supply-whether fast flow, low supply or slow let-down can trigger your baby to turn down breast milk. Matters around your baby could cause it -like illness, over-tiredness, teething problems, change in feeding pattern, recent immunization, weather, overuse of a dummy or attachment problems. Even mother- centred reasons are not left aside- sickness, hormonal change, pregnancy, ovulation, stress, oral contraceptives, and unusual food in your diet, medications which could cause milk supply to drop slightly or change the taste of your milk…maybe saltier.

Just be relaxed and try these-

Be calm: Remain calm and be patient. Take a deep breath and concentrate on staying relaxed. You could use a soothing music while you rock your baby gently. Being relaxed can help your milk flow readily. Don’t try to force your baby to suck else you will worsen the situation.

Try a different feeding position: Sometimes, a baby who is refusing to be breastfed may feed well in a different position. Try walking around with your baby in your arms or with a sling to breastfeed. You can feed on a rocking chair. When the weather is hot or you are tensed, lie down on a bed next to your baby with no contact and feed. In the case of a recent immunization, your baby would want a position that would take pressure off the sore area.

Warm bath: A warm bath can calm a restless baby especially if he likes a bath or during a hot weather. Also, you can try breastfeeding your baby in the bath but this require the assistance of someone to help you lift your baby in and out of the bath tub.

Try playing with your baby: Sing or play with your baby on the bed or on the floor while you are bare from your waist up, then gradually offer your breast.

Gentle massage: Spend 3 to 5 minutes before or while feeding to gently massage your baby’s body or hair.

Use of dummy or bottle feed: Soothe your baby with a dummy and while your baby is sucking, gently replace the dummy with your breast or express breast milk in a bottle feed and when baby is sucking gently replace with your breast.