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Nursing Strike

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Nursing Strike

A nursing “strike” is when your baby has breastfed well for months then suddenly begins to refuse the breast. This is usually temporary and typically does not mean your baby is ready to wean.

A nursing strike can mean your baby is trying to let you know something is wrong. All babies are different and will not react the same way. Some babies will continue to breastfeed without a problem. Other babies may just become fussy at the breast. And other babies will refuse the breast entirely.

Some causes of a nursing strike include:

  • Having mouth pain from teething, a fungal infection like thrush, or a cold sore.
  • Having an ear infection, which causes pain while sucking or pressure while lying on one side.
  • Feeling pain from a certain breastfeeding position, perhaps from an injury on the baby’s body or from soreness from an immunization.
  • Being upset about a long separation from the breastfeeding mother or a major change in routine.
  • Being distracted while breastfeeding, such as becoming interested in other things going on around them.
  • Having a cold or stuffy nose that makes it hard to breath while breastfeeding.
  • Getting less milk from the breastfeeding mother after supplementing human milk with bottles or overuse of a pacifier.
  • Responding to the mother’s strong reaction if the baby has bitten her while breastfeeding.
  • Reacting to changes in soap or other cosmetics that might smell unfamiliar.
  • Responding to changes in the taste of milk because of an illness, medication, or diet.

If your baby is on a nursing strike, it is normal to feel frustrated and upset, especially if your baby is unhappy. Be patient with your baby and keep trying to offer your breasts.

What you can do:

  • Try to express your milk as often as the baby used to breastfeed to avoid engorgement and plugged ducts.
  • Try another feeding method temporarily to give your baby human milk, such as using a cup, dropper, or spoon.
  • Keep track of your baby’s wet and dirty diapers to make sure they get enough milk.
  • Keep offering your breast to your baby. If your baby is frustrated, stop, and try again later. You can also offer your breast when your baby is very sleepy or is sleeping.
  • Try different breastfeeding positions, with your bare skin next to your baby’s bare skin.
  • Focus on and comfort your baby with extra touching and cuddling.
  • Breastfeed your baby in a quiet room with few distractions.

If you are worried your baby is not getting enough milk, talk to their healthcare provider. They can check your baby’s weight gain.

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    Feeding a 6-7 Month Old

    Feed solids with a spoon and from a bowl, never from a bottle.
    Breast Milk
    Infant Formula
    Breast Milk

    Continue to nurse on-demand, about 4-6 times in 24 hours.

    Babies may experience a growth spurt around 6 months of age and may feed more often.

    Offer breast milk in a cup.

    Infant Formula

    24-32 oz. per day of infant formula.

    Offer formula in a cup.

    Grains
    Vegetables
    Fruits
    Proteins
    Grains
    Use breast milk or formula to prepare 2-4 Tbsp. iron-fortified infant cereal. Offer twice per day. 2-4 Tbsp. of small pieces of dry bread, baby crackers, and cereal. Offer twice per day.
    Grains
    Vegetables
    4-8 Tbsp. per day. Cooked, pureed, mashed vegetables.
    Vegetables
    Fruits
    2-4 Tbsp. per day. Cooked, pureed, mashed fruits. Applesauce, pureed peaches, or mashed banana.
    Fruits
    Proteins
    2-4 Tbsp. per day. Plain strained, mashed, or pureed meats, poultry, eggs, fish, or legumes. May add smooth whole milk yogurt. Thinned, smooth peanut or nut butter.
    Proteins

    Feeding a 10-12 Month Old

    Breast milk is the most important source of nutrition for your baby, even after you start offering solid foods.

    Breast Milk
    Infant Formula
    Breast Milk

    Continue to nurse on-demand, 3 or more times per day.

    Infant Formula

    16-24 oz. per day. Offer in a cup.

    Grains
    Vegetables
    Fruits
    Proteins
    Grains
    4-8 Tbsp. per day. WIC approved infant cereals. Dry toast, crackers, bread, bagels, rolls, or plain muffins. Cooked rice and noodles.
    10-12 Month Grains
    Vegetables
    3-4 Tbsp. per day. Cooked bite-size vegetable pieces.
    10-12 Month Vegetables
    Fruits
    3-4 Tbsp. per day. Fresh fruits, peeled, and in bite-size portions.
    10-12 Month Fruits
    Proteins
    2-4 Tbsp. per day. Finely ground, chopped, or diced meats, poultry, eggs, fish, or cooked mashed beans. Thinned, smooth peanut butter.
    10-12 Month Proteins

    Feeding a 8-9 Month Old

    Feed solids with a spoon. Never put cereal in a bottle.

    Breast Milk
    Infant Formula
    Breast Milk

    Continue nursing on-demand, at least 4 times in 24 hours.

    If your baby seems less interested in nursing after you introduce solids, try nursing before you offer solids.

    Offer breast milk in a cup.

    Infant Formula

    24-32 oz. per day.

    Offer formula in a cup.

    Grains
    Vegetables
    Fruits
    Proteins
    Grains

    4-8 Tbsp. per day.

    Plain iron-fortified infant cereals.

    Plain rice or pasta.

    Baby crackers, small pieces of bread, or soft tortillas.

    8-9 Month Grains
    Vegetables

    8-12 Tbsp. per day.

    Plain cooked vegetables, mashed with a fork.

    8-9 Month Vegetables
    Fruits

    8-12 Tbsp. per day.

    Peeled soft fruit in bite-size pieces.

    Unsweetened canned fruit.

    8-9 Month Fruits
    Proteins

    4-8 Tbsp. per day.

    Finely ground, chopped, or diced meats, poultry, eggs, fish, or cooked mashed beans.

    Cottage cheese or mild cheese.

    Thinned, smooth peanut or nut butter.

    8-9 Month Proteins
    I'm Hungry
    I'm Hungry

    Tips

    Mom new born home

    Breast milk and formula feeding:

    Around 2-3 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months of age, babies may experience a growth spurt when they feed more often.

    As they grow babies can hold more milk, so feedings may become further apart and take less time.

    To prevent choking, always hold your baby when feeding. Never prop up a bottle to feed.

    Start offering whole milk when your baby is one year old.

    The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months and that breastfeeding continue for at least 12 months and beyond.

    feeding solid foods

    Feeding solid foods:

    Wait to offer solid foods until your baby:

    • Can sit up and hold up their own head.
    • Opens their mouth when they see food.
    • Can close their lips around a spoon.

    To prevent choking, always hold your baby when feeding. Never prop up a bottle to feed.

    Try one new food at a time. Wait 5 days before trying another new food to watch for allergies. Food allergies may include wheezing, rash, or diarrhea.

    Introduce peanut butter around 6 months. Mix one teaspoon of peanut butter with breast milk or formula. Make it thin and easy to swallow. Use a spoon to offer a taste of the thinned product. Watch your baby for any reaction for the next 2 hours.

    Babies under one year should NOT have honey due to the risk of botulism. Also, babies should not have foods that can cause choking like nuts or whole grapes.

    All babies are different. Talk with WIC or your baby’s healthcare provider about your baby’s needs.

    Feeding Cues

    I'm Hungry
    I'm Full
    I'm Hungry
    • Stirring
      Stirring
    • Mouth opening
      Mouth opening
    • Turning head seeking/rooting
      Turning head seeking/rooting
    I'm Full
    • Releases or falls off
      Releases or “falls off”
    • Turns away
      Turns away
    • Relaxes and opens fists
      Relaxes and opens fists

    Feeding a 4-5 Month Old

    Before teeth come in, wipe gums with a soft, clean wash cloth after each feeding, especially before bed.

    Breast Milk
    Infant Formula
    Breast Milk

    Nurse your baby on-demand, at least 7-9 times in 24 hours.

    When your baby starts teething, they may want to nurse more often.

    Infant Formula

    25-45 oz in 24 hours.

    Your baby needs about 4-6 oz of iron-fortified formula every 3-4 hours.

    Your baby may start to feed on a schedule. Instead of focusing on fixed amounts, let your baby tell you when they have had enough.

    I'm Hungry
    I'm Hungry

    Feeding a 0-3 Month Old

    Newborns have tiny tummies and need to be fed often. In the first few weeks, you may need to wake your baby to feed if they sleep longer than 4 hours.

    Growth Spurts

    Many babies are fussy during a growth spurt and will want to nurse longer and more often. This is called cluster feeding. This is your baby’s way of helping you increase your milk supply so that you can keep up with their needs. Remember, the more your baby nurses, the more milk your body makes.

    Growth spurts can happen at any time, and every baby is different.

    They often happen at these ages:

    two-three-weeks

    2 to 3 Weeks

    6 Weeks

    three-months

    3 Months

    six-months

    6 Months

    Breast Milk
    Infant Formula
    Breast Milk

    Breastfeed 8-12 times in 24 hours to help your newborn stay healthy.

    Nurse on-demand and when your newborn shows signs of hunger, such as sucking on hands or smacking lips.

    Infant Formula

    In the first few days, newborns need 2-3 oz. of iron-fortified infant formula every 3-4 hours.

    By the end of the first month, your newborn needs about 4 oz. every 4 hours.

    Feed on-demand and when your newborn shows signs of hunger.

    What foods can I get?

    Authorized Food List
    Authorized Food List

    Where can I shop?