Jan,

I remember hearing (UNM conference 1998??) from a speech pathologist that as
baby moves beyond a few months of age, two things happen that could cause
feeding problems where none existed before.  1) anatomy changes as head
grows and baby becomes more likely to aspirate especially if fed on his
back.  2) Feeding moves from more of a reflex action to a voluntary action
and the baby may not have the muscular tone for voluntary control.

Just a shot in the dark,

Linda Pohl, IBCLC
Phoenix AZ

-----Original Message-----
From:   Lactation Information and Discussion
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Jan Barger RN, IBCLC
Sent:   Tuesday, October 13, 1998 10:30 AM
To:     [log in to unmask]
Subject:        feeding strikes

Dear all,

We're all familiar with "nursing strikes."  We are familiar with the baby
who
has been given bottles since day one, and at the age of three months
decides,
in his infinite wisdom he isn't going to take a bottle any more (or in a not
so smart move, decides not to breastfeed any more -- mom, of course, assumes
he is weaning).

The peds I work with called me today about nursing strikes -- then told me
we
have a baby in the practice, age 5 months, who is bottle fed, and is
refusing
to take a bottle.  In fact, is basically refusing to eat at all.  It is a 45
minute struggle to get much of anything down.  This has been going on for 10
days.  Baby has been examined, and is in good health -- no ear infections or
anything.  I haven't heard of strikes in bottle feeding infants.  Other than
a
major psych issue (such as parents trying to put infant on schedule and
refusing to feed him when he needs to eat so he is 'striking' back), do you
wise people have any other thoughts?

Jan Barger -- who is leaving for Maine tomorrow for a conference -- how are
the leaves up there?  I'm hoping it is gorgeous!!