Nursing strike and how to continue with solids?

[DavidsMomma]

I think this would be the right location for this post.

DD is 7 months old and stopped nursing this morning.  She has cut 2 teeth in the last week and has also had her fair share of tummy troubles.  I am thinking the nursing strike is more b/c of an upset tummy than teeth.   But this morning wouldn't nurse and couldn't get her to even try the entire A time.  I did pump and she took 2 oz from the bottle.  My question is do I continue with solids or wait to offer until she nurses?  She has a minimal amount of solids per meal, 1-Tbsp of cereal and about 2.5 oz of fruit or veggie puree.  Also b/c of tummy troubles the doc had me trying to get a 3 oz juice +3 oz of water in her, which I never actually got the whole amount in her.  I do believe she is hungry by the fussy noises she is making...

[lisi's mum]

When we've had this situation I've offered bm first then a very small amount of solids, and usually ended up trying to feed her to sleep (the time she'd be most likely to take it)

If this goes on for more than 12 hours or so get pumping to keep up your supply.
Hope it passes soon and her tummy gets better.

Oh, just incase it is her teeth try giving some pain meds maybe a half hour before trying to feed.

[DavidsMomma]

Thanks Katie!  Yesterday was long for us.  I did finally get her to start nursing again, but it wasn't until after 3:30!   And then it wasn't a lot.  She has been such a wonderful eater, so it was stressful for both of us I think.  She was taking solids, not a lot, but wanting them, just wouldn't breast feed.  I was doing what you suggested too.  She has breast fed some since, but still isn't like "normal".  I know with the intro of solids, her appetite for the breast is changing, but I was still thinking of these more as an "activity" than real meals and don't want them to affect her breast feeds yet. 

[gabriels mum]

Hi There

Just wanted to say we've been having the same issues here, and it's also really been stressing me out, as we have no start to the day at the mo!  My LO has also cut a tooth recently and is still getting over a cough/cold which has made him feel really whiney (not his temperament at all!).  I am hoping the combination of teething and illness is to blame, but am not sure?!  We are still only on 2 small solid meals here, which are not at fixed times as such, as I always try to offer them after a milk feed (which like you, has not even happenend for a few hours into the day!).  When I spoke to my HV about his lack of appetite/cues/wet nappies she told me to still offer the solids, and to give him what he fancies, but having been worried about my supply, I didn't!  While this is going on I am also taking Fenugreek to try to keep my supply up.

I hope this will pass for us both asap, and our LO's start eating like crazy!!!

[DavidsMomma]

Thank you Gabriels mum.  It is so stressful when they won't eat.  And I am also worried about my supply.  Thankfully, she is eating again, but not nearly to her previous appetite.  Right now she will only nurse on one side and sometimes not what a full meal was.  So I wonder if I should pump to keep up, or if she is eating what she needs now and I shouldn't pump so I don't want to over produce.  The questions that keep spawning make it more stressful and cause confusion.   I hope your LO is feeling better and eating for you!  Good luck!