What To Do When Your Breastfed Baby Is Refusing the Breast

Learn about the many possible reasons your baby may refuse to nurse, and get tips for getting through a nursing strike.

Medically reviewed by Rebecca Agi, MS, IBCLCMedically reviewed by Rebecca Agi, MS, IBCLC

Breastfeeding or chestfeeding can offer a number of benefits for babies and nursing parents, but it doesn't come without its difficulties. For example, newborns can have problems latching on and learning to breastfeed, and older babies who have been breastfeeding well for weeks or months can suddenly stop.

These so-called nursing strikes, when a baby suddenly begins refusing the breast or a newborn appears to refuse the breast from the get-go, can be incredibly challenging. You might feel defeated, confused, and worried. You may even wonder if you're doing something wrong. But help is available. Most of the time, a baby who is refusing the breast can still nurse successfully with the right support. Here's what to know about nursing strikes and what to do when your baby is refusing to breastfeed.

Why Some Newborns Refuse the Breast

A newborn baby may have trouble learning to breastfeed which can result in them refusing the breast. Here are some of the most common breastfeeding challenges you may experience with a newborn that could lead to a breast refusal.

Poor or inefficient latch

The way your baby’s mouth attaches to your breast when they're nursing is called the latch. If your newborn is not latching well, their suck will not be effective and they won't be able to remove the milk from your breast. As a baby gets hungrier and more frustrated, they often become more and more difficult to nurse, and your baby may begin refusing the breast altogether.

To prevent breastfeeding issues related to a poor latch, get help with the latch right from the start. When your baby is latching onto your breast correctly, they will take your entire nipple and a good portion of your areola (the dark area around your nipple) into their mouth.

Prematurity

You may not be able to breastfeed if your baby is born prematurely and needs to stay in the hospital. Once your little one is strong enough to nurse, it may take some time to get breastfeeding started. Small babies have small mouths, so your preemie may not be able to effectively latch onto your breast until they get a little bigger.

Preemies may also have less energy for breastfeeding. In the meantime, you can give your premature baby pumped breast milk until they are big enough and have enough energy to nurse at your breast.

Flat or inverted nipples

Most babies can breastfeed well even on flat or inverted nipples. But in some cases, it's hard for the baby to latch onto the breast.

If you have flat or inverted nipples and your newborn isn't latching on, there are many ways to correct the issue and make it possible to breastfeed. For example, stimulating your nipples or using a breast pump before you breastfeed can help to draw them out and make it easier for your baby to latch on.

Birth injury or disability

Birth injuries can affect breastfeeding. If your baby is in pain from a broken shoulder or bruises from the delivery process, for example, they may not be able to get comfortable enough to nurse, which can lead to breast refusal. Additionally, newborns born with certain neurological or physical disabilities may struggle to breastfeed.

Once your baby is diagnosed with an injury or disability, you can work together with your health care team to identify the accommodations that you and your baby need to successfully breastfeed.

Delay in breast milk production

It typically takes several days for mature breast milk to come in after giving birth. In some cases, this transition from colostrum to mature breast milk can take a bit longer. This delay can be frustrating for you and your newborn, and they may begin to refuse the breast.

But don't get discouraged. Put your baby to the breast as often as possible, and supplement with formula, if needed. Work with a health care provider to determine how much milk your baby needs—a newborn's tummy is very small and can only handle a couple of ounces at a time. They may be getting enough even if you're not producing as much milk as you expected to in those first several days.

Drowsiness or sleepiness

Newborns tend to be very sleepy in general, but the birth process and any medications that you were given during the delivery can cause even more drowsiness than normal. Jaundice and other conditions can have a similar effect on newborns.

If your newborn sleeps through a feeding, you'll want to wake them. To wake your little one up, you can rub their feet or back, unwrap them, or change their diaper right before or during the feeding. Continue to try to put your baby to the breast as often as possible. Thankfully, the newborn sleepiness is usually temporary.

Why Some Older Babies Refuse the Breast

Older babies who have been successfully breastfeeding well for a while will sometimes stop nursing out of the blue. This sudden halt is commonly known as a nursing strike. Here are some of the possible reasons an older baby may start refusing the breast.

Illness

Breastfeeding a sick baby can be a challenge. If your baby has a stuffy nose, for instance, it may be difficult for them to nurse and breathe at the same time. It's not uncommon for babies to refuse to nurse when they're sick. Talk to a health care provider about how to ensure your baby gets the hydration and nutrition they need if you're struggling to nurse while they're sick.

Distraction

As they grow, infants become more curious about the world around them. Older babies are more easily distracted, and sometimes there are just too many other interesting things they would rather do or look at than nurse, which can lead to disinterest or outright refusal.

Your distractions can also affect breastfeeding. For example, one small study found that smartphone use during breastfeeding interfered with the nursing parent's ability to respond to their baby. That's not to say that you can't periodically scroll while nursing, just that your baby might need your full attention to get through temporary breastfeeding challenges like a nursing strike.

Low milk supply

Low milk supply can also contribute to a nursing strike. If you're not making as much breast milk as you once were, your baby may get frustrated with breastfeeding and just stop trying. Taking steps to increase breast milk production can help, but do reach out to a health care provider if you suspect that your milk supply is contributing to breast refusal.

Pain and discomfort

If your baby is teething, has an ear infection, or has oral thrush, it may be painful for them to breastfeed. If your child is colicky, they may be uncomfortable from gas, bloating, and digestive issues which can also interfere with breastfeeding.

Taste

Hormonal changes from the return of your period, a new pregnancy, or starting hormonal birth control can affect the flavor of your breast milk. Smoking cigarettes before you breastfeed or eating certain foods can also change the taste of your milk. If your older baby doesn't like the way your milk tastes, they may not want to breastfeed.

Fullness

Older babies often breastfeed much faster than younger ones. An older baby may be able to get a large quantity of breast milk in just a few minutes of nursing. A baby that nurses a few minutes and then stops may have just had enough milk. For some nursing parents, this behavior can read as breast refusal when in fact the baby is just full.

Tip

If your baby only nurses for a few minutes before pulling away from the breast, look for signs of fussiness, discomfort, or hunger. If your baby seems content and satisfied, they may have just gotten full.

What To Do If Your Baby Isn't Breastfeeding

It can be stress-inducing when your baby refuses to breastfeed, but try not to worry. Most nursing-related issues can be resolved with the right lactation support. In addition to consulting a health care provider, lactation consultant, or other lactation specialist for help, here are some ideas to try:

• Breastfeed your child in a quiet, dark area away from distractions.

• Hand express your breast milk or pump to maintain your milk supply. Give your baby your expressed breast milk or infant formula in a bottle while continuing to offer the breast.

• Make sure your baby has a good latch, and try different positions until you find one that works for both of you.

• Offer the breast frequently but don't force your baby to nurse. If breastfeeding becomes a negative experience for your baby, it may be harder to encourage them to nurse.

If your baby continues to refuse the breast and you want to avoid introducing a bottle, you can also try cup feeding, finger feeding, or a supplemental nursing system (SNS). That said, there is no shame in offering a bottle of expressed breast milk or formula while you navigate nursing challenges. Ensuring your baby is fed and that you feel supported in your feeding journey are the most important things.

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