Feeding a newborn baby is a responsible task for every mother. Many try to provide the child with food in the old proven way. It's about breastfeeding. This method helps not to think about providing the body with crumbs with a sufficient number of useful components. But what if the baby refused breast? When do I need to sound the alarm? Is it worth it at all? Or is breast rejection normal? Answering all these questions is not as difficult as it might seem. The main thing is not to panic ahead of time. Indeed, various factors influence such behavior. So what can be in one case or another?
Premature babies
Why does the baby refuse breast? Much depends on what is happening around. Also, the age of the child plays a role. Sometimes it happens that a newborn is born prematurely. In this case, a rejection of the breast is normal, although not entirely pleasant.
Why? The fact is that premature babies, as a rule, are born weak. And in order to eat breast milk, you need to make some effort. The premature forces either have none or very few of them. Therefore, a newborn can suck a breast for a while, and then abandon it with a tantrum.
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 put much effort. Therefore, even a premature baby will be able to eat healthy mother's milk, albeit from a bottle. He will not need to strain.
Little strength
Why does the baby refuse breast? 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 the full development or even portability. Therefore, do not be surprised if the baby refuses to breast. Especially if he tries to take it several times, and then throws it.
In this case, the child may experience weight loss. To act in this situation, you need to exactly the same as in the previously indicated option - use a breast pump, and then offer the baby to eat from the bottle. In this case, it will turn out to remain on natural feeding, although without a breast. It’s not very convenient for mom, but the main thing is that the baby is full and healthy.
Age changes
Sometimes you should not panic because of the problem being studied. Does the baby refuse to suckle? 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 to mature. He begins to become interested in the outside world and even somewhat move away from his 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 show activity and study the world around him. He is able to turn his head in different directions, not looking up from the process of eating, to be annoyed if he does not manage to see what interests him. For example, if someone entered the room or an strange noise was heard somewhere. External stimuli simply become more interesting than breast and feeding.
Usually you just need to wait a given period. Over time, the child will learn to know the world around him without harming himself (in terms of nutrition). The only thing that mom can do is to choose some new pose that will allow the baby to suckle and monitor what is happening around. Just wait a bit. Therefore, it is not always, if a child has refused a breast, you need to raise a panic. This phenomenon is often temporary.
To the toilet
It's no secret that during urination or in front of him, babies experience some kind of excitement, they experience something like a little stress. That is why it happens that a month-old baby refuses a breast. In addition, this phenomenon can be accompanied by wriggling on the hands, crying, tantrums and even tugging of the leg-handles. A newborn is able to simply stretch his legs like a frog. All this is accompanied by a cry and cry.
In some cases, the baby even takes his chest, but then again behaves uneasily. After some time, the child begins to eat again. Therefore, one should not panic if the newborn refuses to suckle and behaves uneasily. It is likely that he is either preparing to urinate, or already during it experiences some discomfort. Of course, such a phenomenon is not subject to treatment. You just need to wait until the child has fully formed the body, as a result of which the discomfort during urination will disappear.
Malaise
What to look for if a newborn is not eating? Breast in this case should be offered further, in spite of all sorts of "protests". It’s very difficult for kids to understand - they just don’t know how to talk. And so the only way for them to show their concern is to cry. So many parents think. In fact, sometimes a rejection of the breast also indicates the presence of some discomfort. It’s not worth it to be scared.
Baby (2 months) refuses breast? In fact, young babies who are breastfed may not suckle with some malaise. In this case, a feeling of hunger will still occur. For example, a child wants to sleep. Or the weather affected him somehow. In this case, the baby is able to abandon the breast.
Again, the phenomenon is temporary. And after eliminating the cause of the malaise, as well as improving the condition, the child will eat normally again. You can consult a doctor for help if you can’t find out what the problem is. The specialist will quickly help return the baby to normal.
Surrogate
Does the child refuse food (does not take breasts)? Then you should pay attention to the lifestyle of the crumbs. What for? The thing is that if a baby often sucks a nipple or practices a meal from a bottle, then at any age he can refuse to breast. And he will do it quite deliberately.
This refusal is simply a way to switch to a different type of feeding. It has already been said that when using bottles the little one does not need to exert any effort to eat. Young children get used to this method of eating. Accordingly, when the mother offers the baby a breast, he refuses. After all, there is a different way of feeding.
All children are different. Someone chooses a breast, some refuse it in favor of the nipples and small bottles. Some kids successfully combine both the proposed surrogate in the form of pacifier bottles and the natural type of feeding. Therefore, many parents simply propose not to teach babies to nipples. If the baby has abandoned the breast in favor of the bottle, you do not need to force him to eat food as it is convenient for parents. Nothing good will come of it.
Estrangement
Has the baby refused a breast? How to be in this situation? Why could this happen? Many things can shock parents. Children are sensitive creatures. They are at a subconscious level able to feel what is happening in the house. Also, kids intuitively understand when and whom to trust. That is why in some people the child cries in his arms, while in others - he sits quietly.
Sometimes it happens that the baby simply "refuses" from 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, rare.
If the baby is not offered a nipple or a bottle (which he will definitely take) during the period of breastfeeding, 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 is delayed.
Postpartum injuries
Has the baby begun to give up breasts? If the birth was difficult, it is likely that the baby will not take breasts. This can be attributed to birth trauma. For example, torticollis. Usually this phenomenon is observed in newborns in the first weeks of life. The child for no reason refuses to suckle.
How to be in this situation? Firstly, you need to go with the child to the doctor. The specialist will help to understand the birth trauma received, prescribe a course of treatment. Secondly, it is best to feed a baby who has refused a breast from a bottle. But at the same time, still try to continue natural feeding. Usually, after correcting birth injuries, the food situation normalizes. Over time, the baby will suckle without any problems. But at the same time, temporary refusals from such a meal should not cause panic and fear.
Milk deficiency
Does the baby refuse breast? Crying after sucking a few times? The reasons may be different. It is possible that the baby simply does not receive milk. Therefore, he refuses to breast. In other words, mom has a shortage of breast milk for one reason or another.
How to be You can try to increase and establish lactation. When milk arrives, the baby is unlikely to give up breasts. Usually in the early days, the child eats colostrum. Its enough. Milk comes on 2-3 days after the birth of the baby. If this does not happen, the newborn is given an artificial mixture, and mom begins to do everything to establish lactation. For example, milk tea or special drinks help in this situation.
Did the baby give up breasts after the hospital? Also normal. After all, a woman’s milk can disappear at any time. The main thing is to establish lactation. If it does not work, then breastfeeding is simply impossible. We'll have to feed the newborn from the bottle, and with an artificial mixture.
Lure
Why is the child refusing to take breasts? Sometimes the cause of this phenomenon is the introduction of complementary foods. Usually observed in infants 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 breast milk is required less. The more "adult" food a child eats, the less "child" he will need.
Therefore, one should not be surprised that during the introduction of complementary foods, the child more often and more often refuses breastfeeding. This is a natural process. If you want to continue breastfeeding, it is recommended that you simply give less additional products to the baby. Sometimes it happens that the baby simply completely abandons 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 nothing more. Prevent this phenomenon is prohibited. This is a normal growing up period. Only in different children it manifests itself at different times.
Natural failure
Does the baby refuse to suckle? You do not 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 at all, but at many. The kid moves more to eating "adult" food. He needs his chest less and less. Gradually, he will wean from her completely.
What to do if a baby refuses a breast? In this situation, nothing needs to be done. Let the natural process proceed as it should. The child himself knows when he needs breasts, and when not. But panic, if weaning from breastfeeding does not occur, is not necessary. Everything is purely individual.
Teeth
Does a baby refuse breast? If changes began to occur at about 4-6 months, provided there is no introduction of complementary foods, you need to carefully look at the baby. Is there a temperature? Is there increased salivation? Or maybe the child began to drag everything in his mouth?
If these are exactly the signs to be, the child’s teeth are likely to be cut. At the same time, the baby’s gums swell and may turn slightly white. 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 painful, he will again begin to eat normally.
In some cases, when teething babies, on the contrary, are constantly at the chest. After all, this is not only a way to get drink and food. The chest also acts as a sedative for the baby. It helps relieve pain.
Tips & Tricks
Now it’s clear how to behave if the baby has refused a breast. In fact, such a situation is natural at some point. It does not require treatment. What advice can be given to parents who are faced with the problem being studied?
Among the most effective recommendations are the following:
- To establish the flow of milk into the chest. Frequent application of the baby, and a variety of means to improve lactation, will do. It is also necessary to establish your own nutrition.
- Make contact with the baby. Breasts who feel safe next to their mother are unlikely to just give up their breasts. On the contrary, they literally "hang" on it.
- Closely monitor changes in the behavior of the child. If the baby's teeth are being cut or if there is simply a suspicion of illness / malaise, it is best to show it to the doctor. Specialists will help.
- Premature babies may remain breastfed, but with a bottle. The same goes for weak babies.
- It is not recommended to combine bottles and breastfeeding.
- Prepare for the rejection of breast milk during the introduction of complementary foods.
In fact, there are rarely real reasons for panic. The refusal of the child, especially not very small, from the chest - this is normal. Especially if the baby is cheerful and cheerful. Fortunately, now you can not give up breastfeeding - it is enough to express milk in a bottle and offer crumbs. This is the most profitable option. Why does the baby refuse breast? There are many options. You just need to carefully monitor the baby - then it will be clear whether this is a pathology or not.