Growth spurts. Sometimes your baby may These suggestions may help to get your baby BREAST REFUSAL want to be breastfed more often. These times to go to the breast: are referred to as “frequency days” and mean • Breastfeed while baby is sleepy. Babies who causes and solutions that they are probably going through a have fed well before this strike will often CAUSE SOLUTION growth spurt. Babies have periods when they take the breast before they are fully awake seem to have a sudden increase in their Reduced milk supply Call health care professional or lactation consultant for growth. Your baby will want to feed • Try to breastfeed in different positions than (baby frustrated by lack of milk) evaluation if baby has a weak or ineffective suck. Pump to frequently, which will build up your milk usual increase your milk supply. Breastfeed more frequently for supply to meet their new growth needs. It is • Try to get your baby to latch on while you longer periods. Switch back and forth between breasts important to let your baby breastfeed as are walking or rocking. The motion may frequently; this may help increase milk supply. often as they wish for the first few days that make them more likely to breastfeed this growth spurt lasts. Once your milk Yeast infection See section on “Yeast infection” (page 35). Both mother and supply has increased, your baby should settle (baby has sore mouth) baby will need treatment. back down into a pattern, feeding for about Pain Change baby’s nursing position so that no pressure is placed on the same length of time as before but will (such as from an injury the sore spot. take more milk at each feeding to satisfy Try to breastfeed in different or infection) their growth needs. Typical times for growth positions than usual spurts are at 2–3 weeks of age, 6 weeks, and Congestion Keep baby in an upright position. Breastfeed in a room where a 3 months, although they can occur at varying (baby can’t breathe through nose) vaporizer is running. Ask baby’s health care professional about times. using salt water drops and a nasal aspirator before feedings to clear baby’s nose and make breathing easier. Breastfeeding “strike”/breast refusal. • Use skin-to-skin contact as described in A breastfeeding strike occurs anytime your “Crying/colic,” page 43 Ear infection Check with the baby’s health care professional for appropriate baby refuses to breastfeed at all. Most strikes (sucking may increase pressure treatment. Keep baby in an upright position right before and can be overcome and breastfeeding can • Hand express or pump before feeding to get in baby’s ear) during feedings. Offer short, frequent feedings until pain in resume as usual. Sometimes this takes only your milk flow started ears is reduced. hours, but it may take several days and a lot Reactions to perfume or makeup Stop using the products to see if baby will resume of patience. Finding out the cause of the breastfeeding. strike can be crucial to solving the problem. The table on the next page lists some of the Overstimulation, stress, Make sure feeding times are not too rigid or frequently causes. or emotional upset interrupted. Try staying home and feeding in a quieter (any stressful event such as a environment for a few days. Stay close to baby after a move or prolonged separation prolonged separation. Talk quietly to your baby while from you may cause stress) breastfeeding. Eliminate as much stress as possible from your life. If your baby continues to refuse your breast and you can’t figure out why, you may express your milk and feed it to them in another way suggested by a certified lactation consultant. 44 45