Beyond the First Six Weeks

During the time that your baby is refusing to nurse, you will need to express your milk either by hand or by pumping, in order to maintain your milk production. Do this as frequently as your baby would normally nurse. If your baby has refused several feedings, you can offer your expressed milk in a cup. Avoiding bottles and pacifiers is recommended during this period in the hope that your baby's sucking urges will encourage him to start nursing again.
 
Spending lots of time skin-to-skin with your baby can be very helpful. You can also try:

Very unlikely. Occasionally, a baby who has been nursing well will suddenly refuse the breast for no apparent reason.  This is called a nursing strike.  It is very rare that a baby will wean on his own during his first year, and weaning usually happens gradually. On reviewing the situation, a cause for the nursing strike can sometimes be identified. Common causes include: an earache or stuffy nose, a scary sound that happened while breastfeeding, a different lotion or deodorant, too many bottles or pacifiers or a recent change in routine.

The term “growth spurt” (also called frequency days) describes times when babies seem to nurse non-stop for a couple of days. It is believed that this is how the baby tells the mother’s body to increase milk production. Babies usually have several “growth spurts” in the first 6 months.  They often occur at 10 days, 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months. But they can occur any time.  After about 48-72 hours of frequent nursing, a baby will return to a more regular routine of nursing, rest and playtime.

As long as your baby is still having the same number of wet and soiled diapers, there is no reason to panic.  It is normal for a baby at around this age to change his nursing pattern. When a baby starts nursing non-stop for a few days it usually means that he is growing. After a few days of frequent nursing, your baby will fall into a new nursing pattern with your recently increased milk supply.  We call these episodes “growth spurts” or “frequency days”.

Extremely unlikely! It is normal for your milk production to change to meet your baby's needs, and for you to no longer feel "full" between feedings. As long as your baby continues to grow and gain weight appropriately, and is satisfied when he comes off the breast, then there is probably no need to worry. However, if you are still concerned, contact your local Leader for a more personalized discussion.

Yes. Expressed human milk can be kept in a common refrigerator at the workplace or at a daycare centre. Check that the refrigerator temperature is 4C (39F) or less. Both the US Centers for Disease Control and the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration agree that human milk is not among the body fluids that require special handling or storage in a separate refrigerator.

Legally in Canada you can nurse your baby out in public wherever you and your baby are allowed to be. Most mothers find that with a little practice they can comfortably nurse their babies in many different environments. Planning ahead with your wardrobe and stops can make it easier to relax and nurse your baby when he needs it.