What should I do if my baby refuses to breastfeed?

Many factors can cause a baby's sudden stop-feeding strike after a good period of suckling for many months. Usually, it's a sign your baby is trying to tell you that something is wrong. A baby's refusal to breastfeed doesn't necessarily mean they're ready to wean, and the good news is that strikes are usually short-lived.

Common causes of a baby refusing to breastfeed include:
Pain or discomfort: Maybe your baby is teething, thrush or herpes can cause sore mouth while feeding. Ear infections can also cause pain when feeding and baby refusing to breastfeed. Injury or soreness from vaccinations can make your baby uncomfortable in some feeding positions Sick baby : A cold or a stuffy nose can make it hard for your baby to breathe and make her refuse to feed. Stress or inattention: Overstimulation, delayed feeding, or long periods of time away from the mother can cause a baby to be fussy and refuse to feed. Your strong reactions to being bitten by your baby while breastfeeding can also cause your baby to not want to suckle or sometimes your baby is simply too lazy to want to breastfeed. Unusual scents or tastes: Changes in your smell due to new soaps, perfumes, lotions, or deodorants may cause your baby to dislike breastfeeding. Changes in the taste of breast milk due to the foods you eat, medications, menstruation, or returning to pregnancy can also cause your baby to refuse to breastfeed. Decreased milk supply: Supplementing with formula or using too many pacifiers can reduce your milk supply and your baby may refuse to feed when your milk supply is no longer plentiful.

Newborns rarely wean themselves before the age of 1, the baby may be going through a phase of refusing to breastfeed. This stage occurs suddenly after the baby has been feeding for a while. The period of time when a baby refuses to breastfeed usually lasts no more than 4 days. If you are still not ready to wean your baby, you should pay attention to help your baby through this time in the following ways:
Skin-to-skin contact often helps babies end this weaning process. Try undressing your baby and let him lie down from the waist up and cuddle him tenderly. Or you can hold and stroke your baby in a warm bath for a while. Breastfeeding when your baby is drowsy or when he's half-asleep can also help. Vary your breastfeeding positions or try breastfeeding while walking or sitting in a rocking chair that moves gently. Your baby's refusal to breastfeed can be caused by any number of factors, including mastitis (which can change the taste of your milk), teething, an ear infection that makes swallowing painful, or a cold that makes it hard for your baby to breathe. and therefore more difficult to suckle. Your baby may also react due to your reduced milk supply although this is rare. Your baby may also be allergic to cosmetics or other products you've used. If your baby has recently been vaccinated, the vaccination site may be a bit sore, and her refusal to breastfeed may be due to the way she is positioning the breast. If your baby refuses to latch on when you try to feed, it could be because the milk comes down so quickly that he can't handle it. In this case, you can express some milk before feeding your baby.

Also, think about what changes you've made to your baby's feeding lately. Is your baby taking too many bottles or using a pacifier too often? A baby's refusal to breastfeed can sometimes be a sign that she's used to bottle-feeding. Try feeding your baby only for a few days without additional feedings to see why.
If the baby continues to fuss and you feel uncomfortably engorged, express some milk and give it to your baby from a cup, not a bottle. Using a cup can encourage your baby to suckle faster. Above all, you have to be patient as this will pass quickly.
Quitting breastfeeding can be upsetting for you and your baby. You may feel rejected and feel frustrated. However, it is not your fault. To prevent engorgement and maintain your milk supply, pump as often as your baby used to breastfeed. You may also change the feeding position. Try different breastfeeding positions. If your baby has a stuffy nose, you can suck it up before feeding. Coping with distractions, try breastfeeding in a quiet room with no distractions. Solve biting problems. If your baby bites you while feeding, stay calm and put your finger in his mouth to quickly break the suction. Evaluate changes in your routine. Think of any changes in your routine that might upset your baby.
If the withdrawal persists for more than a few days, your baby has fewer wet diapers than usual, or you are worried about your baby having difficulty breastfeeding, consult your baby's doctor about the problem.
Newborns in general are prone to respiratory diseases, respiratory infections and gastrointestinal infections if they are introduced to solid foods early or the storage and preparation of milk is not guaranteed. To protect children's health, parents should do well to exclusively breastfeed their babies for the first 6 months (if possible) and vaccinate on schedule.

As soon as the child shows symptoms such as anorexia, fatigue, crying, the child needs to go to the hospital to be consulted by specialists for monitoring and treatment. The pediatric department at Vinmec International General Hospital is the address for receiving and examining diseases that infants and young children are susceptible to: viral fever, bacterial fever, otitis media, pneumonia in children. With a system of facilities, modern medical equipment, sterile space, minimizing the impact as well as the risk of disease spread, Vinmec will bring satisfaction to customers. and is highly appreciated by industry experts with:
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References: babycenter.com, mayoclinic.org