Baby refused to breastfeed: what to do?

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Feeding a newborn baby is a responsible task for every mother. Many try to provide the child with food the old proven method. It's about breastfeeding. This method helps not to think about providing the body of the crumbs with a sufficient amount of useful components. But what if the baby refuses to breastfeed? When should you sound the alarm? Is it worth doing it at all? Or is breastfeeding normal? Answering all these questions is not as difficult as it might seem. The main thing is not to panic ahead of time. After all, different factors influence such behavior. So what could be in this or that case?

Premature babies

Why does the baby refuse to breastfeed? Much depends on what is happening around. The age of the child also plays a role. Sometimes it happens that a newborn is born prematurely. In this case, breast rejection is normal, although not entirely pleasant.

Why? The thing is that premature babies, as a rule, are born weak. And to eat breast milk, you need to make some effort. The premature force either does not have them,or very little. Therefore, a newborn may suck on the breast for a while, and then hysterically refuse it.

What to do in this situation? It is recommended to use a breast pump. Breast milk is collected in bottles, after which it is offered to the baby. In order to suck in this way, you do not need to make much effort. Therefore, even a premature baby will be able to eat he althy mother's milk, albeit from a bottle. He won't need to strain.

Low strength

Why does the baby refuse to breastfeed? The next option is somewhat similar to the previous one. Only we are talking about full-term children. Not all babies are born strong. Some are born weak, despite full development or even postmaturity. Therefore, do not be surprised if the baby refuses to breastfeed. Especially if he tries to take it several times, and then throws it away.

In this case, the child may experience weight loss. In this situation, you need to act in exactly the same way as in the previously indicated option - use a breast pump, and then offer the baby to eat from a bottle. In this case, it will be possible to remain breastfed, albeit without a breast. Not very convenient for mom, but the main thing is that the baby is full and he althy.

Age changes

Sometimes you shouldn't panic about a problem you're studying. Baby refuses to breastfeed? Quite often, this phenomenon is considered natural. Especially when it comes to a baby who has reached 3-6 months. At this time, the child begins the period of growing up. He starts to take an interest in his surroundings.peace and even a little distance from the mother.

And a similar period of growing up is sometimes accompanied by a rejection of the breast. More precisely, the illusion is created that the baby does not want to suck it. In fact, the child simply begins to be active and explore the world around him. He is able to turn his head in different directions, without looking up from the process of eating, get annoyed if he fails to see what interests him. For example, if someone entered the room or an incomprehensible noise was heard somewhere. External stimuli just become more interesting than breastfeeding.

Usually you just need to wait out this period. Over time, the child learns to learn about the world around him without harming himself (in terms of nutrition). The only thing that the mother can do is to choose some new position that will allow the baby to suckle at the breast and keep an eye on what is happening around. It is enough to wait a little. Therefore, it is not always necessary to raise a panic if the child refuses to breastfeed. This phenomenon is often temporary.

To the toilet

It's no secret that during or before urination, babies experience some excitement, they experience something like a little stress. That is why it happens that a monthly baby refuses to breastfeed. Additionally, this phenomenon may be accompanied by wriggling in the arms, crying, tantrums, and even twitching of the arms and legs. A newborn is able to simply draw in his legs, like a frog. All this is accompanied by screaming and crying.

In some cases, the baby even takes the breast,but then he gets restless again. After some time, the child begins to eat again. Therefore, you should not panic if the newborn refuses to breastfeed and behaves restlessly. It is likely that he is either preparing to urinate, or is already experiencing some discomfort during it. Of course, such a phenomenon is not subject to treatment. You just need to wait until the child's body is fully formed, as a result of which the discomfort during urination will disappear.

Unwell

What to look for if the newborn does not eat? In this case, the breast should be offered further, despite all sorts of "protests". Toddlers are very difficult to understand - they simply do not know how to talk. And so the only way for them to show their concern is by crying. This is what many parents think. In fact, sometimes breast rejection also indicates the presence of some kind of discomfort. Don't be afraid of this.

Baby (2 months) refuses to breastfeed? In fact, small children who are breastfed, with some kind of ailment, may not suckle. In this case, the feeling of hunger will still take place. For example, a child wants to sleep. Or maybe the weather had a negative effect on him. In this case, the baby is able to refuse the breast.

Again, this is temporary. And after eliminating the cause of the ailment, as well as improving the condition, the child will eat normally again. You can contact your doctor for help if you can't figure out what the problem is. Specialistquickly help to return the baby to normal.

Surrogate

Baby refuses to eat (does not breastfeed)? Then you should pay attention to the lifestyle of the crumbs. What for? The thing is that if the baby often sucks on a nipple or practices eating from a bottle, then at any age he can refuse to breastfeed. And he will do it quite consciously.

Such a refusal is just a way to switch to another type of feeding. It has already been said that when using bottles, the little one does not need to make any effort to eat. Young children get used to this way of eating. Accordingly, when a mother offers a breast to a baby, he refuses. After all, there is another way to feed.

All children are different. Someone chooses breasts, some refuse it in favor of nipples and bottles. Some children successfully combine both the proposed surrogate in the form of pacifier bottles and the natural type of feeding. Therefore, many parents suggest simply not to accustom babies to nipples. If the baby has given up breastfeeding in favor of a bottle, there is no need to force him to eat in a way that is convenient for the parents. Nothing good will come of it.

Distance

Baby refused to breastfeed? How to be in this situation? Why could this happen? Many things can shock parents. Children are sensitive creatures. On a subconscious level, they are able to feel what is happening in the house. Babies also intuitively know when and who to trust. That is why some people have a baby crying in their arms, while others- sits quietly.

Sometimes it happens that the baby simply "refuses" the mother. Usually this phenomenon occurs due to improper care. The baby simply ceases to trust mom. And so he refuses her breasts. As practice shows, this is, fortunately, rarely observed.

If a baby is not offered a pacifier or a bottle (which he will definitely take) during the period of refusal of the breast, then the baby will switch to his own fists and fingers. Rehabilitation consists of a course of restoring trust between the baby and the mother. Sometimes this period passes quickly, in some cases it drags on.

Postpartum trauma

Baby began to refuse the breast? If the birth was difficult, it is likely that the baby will not breastfeed. Birth trauma may be the culprit. For example, torticollis. Usually this phenomenon occurs in newborns in the first weeks of life. Baby refuses to breastfeed for no reason.

How to be in such a situation? First, you need to go with the child to the doctor. The specialist will help to understand the received birth injuries, prescribe a course of treatment. Secondly, it is best to feed a child who has refused to breastfeed from a bottle. But at the same time, you still try to continue natural feeding. Usually, after the correction of birth injuries, the situation with food intake is normalized. Over time, the baby will suck on the breast without any problems. But at the same time, temporary refusals from such a meal should not cause panic and fear.

Milk shortage

Baby refuses to breastfeed? Crying after sucking a few times? The reasons may be different. It is possible that the baby simply does not receive milk. So he refuses to breastfeed. In other words, the mother has a shortage of breast milk for one reason or another.

How to be? You can try to increase and adjust lactation. When the milk arrives, the baby is unlikely to refuse the breast. Usually in the first days the child eats colostrum. It's enough. Milk comes in 2-3 days after the birth of the baby. If this does not happen, the newborn is given an artificial mixture, and the mother begins to do everything to improve lactation. For example, tea with milk or special drinks helps in such a situation.

Baby refused to breastfeed after the hospital? Also a normal occurrence. After all, a woman's milk can disappear at any time. The main thing is to establish lactation. If not, then breastfeeding is simply not possible. You will have to bottle-feed the newborn, and with artificial formula.

Complementary food

Also why does the baby refuse to breastfeed? Sometimes the cause of this phenomenon is the introduction of complementary foods. Usually observed in babies 4-6 months. Breast milk is enough to enrich the child's body with nutrients and saturate it. The introduction of complementary foods leads to the fact that less breast milk is required. The more "adult" food a child consumes, the less "childish" food he will need.

Therefore, it should not be surprising that during the introduction of complementary foods, the child refuses to breastfeed more and more often. This is a natural process. If you want to continue breastfeeding, it is recommended to simply give less additional products to the baby. Sometimes it happens that the child simply completely refuses breast milk as soon as the usual, "adult" food is introduced. It is likely that the baby decided to switch to a different type of food. And no more. It is forbidden to suppress this phenomenon. This is a normal growing up period. Only in different children it manifests itself at different times.

Natural rejection

Baby refuses to breastfeed? There is no need to sound the alarm if it is not about a newborn. In children in the period of 8-9 months of age, a natural rejection of the breast begins. Not everyone, but many. The kid moves more to food "adult" food. Breast needs him less and less. Gradually, he will wean himself completely.

What to do if the baby refuses to breastfeed? In this situation, nothing needs to be done. Let the natural process proceed as it should. The child himself knows when he needs a breast and when he does not. But there is no need to panic if weaning from breastfeeding does not occur. Everything is purely individual.

Teeth

Baby refuses to breastfeed? If changes began to occur at about 4-6 months, provided there was no introduction of complementary foods, you need to take a good look at the baby. Is there a temperature? Has there been increased salivation? Or maybe the child startedput everything in your mouth?

If these are the signs, the baby is probably teething. At the same time, the baby's gums swell, may turn white a little. Another natural process. You can go to the doctor and find out how to smear the gums to eliminate discomfort. When the baby is not so hurt, he will start eating normally again.

In some cases, when teething, babies, on the contrary, are constantly at the chest. After all, this is not only a way to get food and drink. The breast also acts as a sedative for the baby. It helps relieve pain.

Tips & Tricks

Now it is clear how to behave if the baby refuses to breastfeed. In fact, this situation is natural at a certain moment. Does not require treatment. What advice can you give to parents who are faced with the problem under study?

Among the most effective recommendations are the following:

1. Improve the flow of milk to the breast. Suitable and frequent application of the baby, and a variety of means to improve lactation. You also need to adjust your own nutrition.
2. Establish contact with the baby. Babies who feel safe next to their mother are unlikely to just refuse to breastfeed. On the contrary, they literally "hang" on it.
3. Keep a close eye on changes in the child's behavior. If the baby is teething or simply has a suspicion of illness / malaise, it is better to show it to the doctor. Specialists will help.
4. Premature babiescan remain breastfed, but through a bottle. The same goes for weak babies.
5. Combining bottles and breastfeeding is not recommended.
6. Prepare to forego mother's milk during the weaning period.

In fact, there is rarely a real reason to panic. The refusal of a child, especially not quite a small one, from the breast is normal. Especially if the baby is cheerful and cheerful at the same time. Fortunately, now you can not refuse breastfeeding - it is enough to express milk into a bottle and offer it to the baby. This is the most profitable option. Why does the baby refuse to breastfeed? There are many options. You just need to carefully monitor the baby - then it will be clear whether it is a pathology or not.