What is breast refusal?

Breast refusal (sometimes called ‘nursing strike’) is when your baby does not want to feed from your breast. When you try breastfeeding your baby, they may cry, scream or turn away.

Sometimes, they will refuse to begin sucking, but they may also start sucking before refusing to continue after a few minutes.

This might make you feel like your baby is rejecting you and can be very upsetting. Breast refusal is common and often temporary. It can occur during some or all feeds and at different ages and stages of your baby’s development.

Why might my baby be refusing to breastfeed?

There are many reasons that your baby may be refusing to feed.

It may be because your baby is uncomfortable or not feeling well. They may be:

• feeling sick
• teething
• tired
• hot from the weather
• distracted
• not hungry

Your baby may find it difficult to suck if they have a sore throat, blocked nose or ear infection.

Your baby may refuse to feed when your milk flow is too quick or too slow. This can be due to your hormonal changes or low milk supply. Read more about increasing your breastmilk supply.

If you feed your baby from a bottle, or in addition to other foods and drinks, they may not be used to feeding from your breast. This may cause them to refuse your breast at times.

Sometimes your baby may refuse to feed because your smell has changed or the taste of your milk. This can happen when you:

• change your perfume, deodorant, laundry detergent or soap
• spend time in chlorine or saltwater
• start a new medicine
• change your diet
• have mastitis or an infection
• are in different hormonal stages related to your period or pregnancy

Sometimes, your baby may have trouble attaching to your nipple, and this can also lead to breast refusal.

Understanding why your baby is refusing your breast can help you find a solution. Sometimes there is no reason why your baby is refusing your breast, and they soon start feeding normally again.

How do I encourage my baby to breastfeed?

When your baby refuses your breast, it can be very distressing. It is important not to force your nipple into your baby’s mouth, but you can try other strategies to help your baby feed.

Some tips for dealing with breast refusal are:

• Make sure you feed in a quiet and calm environment. You may find that dimming the lights helps.
• Try singing, rocking or playing relaxing music.
• Feed your baby when they are sleepy, right before they go for a nap or as soon as they wake up.
• Have lots of skin-to-skin time with your baby outside of when you are feeding them.
• You may find that your baby prefers a different feeding position.
• Try to stay calm — taking deep breaths or meditating can help you and your baby stay relaxed and patient.
• Offer your baby your breast instead of a dummy.

What should I do if my baby continues to refuse breastfeeding?

If you have ongoing problems with feeding your baby, you will need to express or pump your milk so you won’t have any issues with your milk supply. Express milk at the times that you would usually feed your baby. You can use this milk to feed your baby with a bottle.

When should I worry about breast refusal?

If you are worried that your baby is not getting as much breastmilk as they need, note how many feeds your baby is refusing each day. The number of times a day that you breastfeed your baby changes as they grow older. Newborn babies get hungry every 2 to 4 hours, but this number and the length of each feed gets smaller as your baby grows.

Other questions to ask yourself to understand if it is breast refusal:

• How many wet nappies is your baby producing every day?
• Is your baby tracking well on baby growth charts?
• Are they fussy at the breast or difficult feeders?
• Are they otherwise well?

When should I see a healthcare professional?

It is important to understand if your baby is refusing feeds or if they have simply completed feeding or are not hungry. Sometimes your baby may be refusing 1 or 2 out of their daily feeds, but are still showing signs that they are getting enough breastmilk.

Speak to your doctor if you are concerned that your baby is not feeding enough. They can check your baby and make sure they are well.

FIND A HEALTH SERVICE — The Service Finder can help you find doctors, pharmacies, hospitals and other health services.

Resources and support

Breast refusal can be frustrating and upsetting, but support and advice is available. For help with breastfeeding, you can talk with:

• your midwife or child health nurse
• your doctor
• a registered lactation consultant

Australian Breastfeeding Association provides guidance on refusal and breastfeeding support. Call their Breastfeeding Helpline on 1800 mum2mum (1800 686 268).

Do you prefer to read in languages other than English?

• Health Translations offers information breastfeeding your baby and breastfeeding positions in many languages.
• If you need an interpreter, call the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) on 131 450. Ask them to telephone Breastfeeding Helpline on 1800 686 268.

Looking for information for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people?

• Breastmilk Talk — ‘Ngaminjang Djama’ shares stories on breastfeeding benefits, written for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.
• Australian Breastfeeding Association also offers breastfeeding resources for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.