June wrote:
> Another SOS from a Mother Who's baby  is on a breast strike.  This baby has had an ear infection, treated with antibotics , checked by Doctor to-day, and is all clear.  Is it unusual for exclusively breast fed babies to get ear infections? Could the breast strike be related to the memory of pain at the breast?

Has anyone  had a similar experience?. This baby has never had a
dummy, bottle or cup to its mouth.  Changes to breastfeeding
partnership  have  only happened since the baby had an ear infection.
Mother remarked today that she is very close to giving up, my thoughts
are maybe the baby remembers  the pain and associates it with breast
feeding? Mum also thinks the baby is playing up?  The baby  wont feed
unless she is placed on a pillow? which also limits the mother when
breastfeeding.  she has a 23 month old toddler that she breastfed for
12 months. <

Hi June :)

I think that it is very likely that this baby is associating feeding
at the breast with the pain of nursing while suffering from an ear
infection.  Babies who are not breastfed are much more likely to get
ear infections than those who do not receive their own mothers' milk,
but it is not unknown even in  exclusively breastfed babies. Ear
infections, in some cases, are related to cows' milk allergies, and
sometimes to malformations of the inner ear.
It is extremely unlikely that this baby is "playing up." Babies do not
refuse to eat unless there is something wrong! Besides, why would
anyone even think that a baby is capable of such behaviour?

There is an excellent article about nursing strikes by Nancy
Mohrbacher on the La Leche League website, which you may find useful:
"Is Baby Weaning or Is It a Nursing Strike?" 
http://www.lalecheleague.org/NB/NBNovDec92p173.html

Other articles on this topic can be found at: 
http://www.lalecheleague.org/NB/NBstrikes.html

warmly, norma

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