My last baby at age nine months went on a nursing strike after biting me, and
reacting to my loud cry of pain and surprise. The strike lasted nine days and
I fell apart emotionally. I grieved as if someone close to me had died. I
could not accept that weaning my fifth and last baby would happen that way.

What finally worked to bring her back to breast was offering her the pad of
my finger to suck on when she was sleepy and going down for a nap. The room
was quiet and darkened. I then slid out my finger and slid in my nipple and
she took it for one suck. Later that day she again sucked on my finger and
then transferred to the breast for a bit longer and within a few more
feedings was nursing normally.
The situation that Jennifer writes about is much more complicated  ...
whether or not this baby returns to breast, the mother needs a lot of support
for continuing to try, and affirmation that breastfeeding matters.

Beverley Rae, MSW CSW IBCLC
Manhasset, NY

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