This is 10 Reasons Why Babies Refuse to Breastfeed, Mothers Need to Know!

Breast milk is a source of essential nutrients for babies, especially up to the age of 6 months. For your information, until the age of 6 months, babies still do not have a fully developed digestive system, so they are not able to consume any food or drink other than breast milk.

Surprisingly, there are several conditions that can cause babies to refuse breastfeeding, leading to insufficient nutritional intake to support their growth and development.

So, what are the reasons for a baby refusing to breastfeed? Let's find out more through the following article.

Various Causes of Babies Refusing to Breastfeed

A nursing strike is a condition where a baby refuses to breastfeed. However, breast milk is the main source of nutrition for babies up to 6 months. So why would a baby refuse to drink breast milk?

In general, a baby's refusal to breastfeed can be caused by various factors, both from the mother's and the baby's side. Here is a complete explanation of various reasons why a baby may refuse to breastfeed.

1. Incorrect Breastfeeding Position The first reason a baby may refuse to breastfeed is an incorrect breastfeeding position. Generally, an improper mouth position on the nipple can make it difficult for the baby to latch on or attach its mouth to the mother's nipple. This discomfort causes the baby to be unwilling to breastfeed.Therefore, mothers are advised to always ensure the correct mouth attachment to the nipple and position the baby's head slightly higher than its body to facilitate swallowing breast milk.
   

2. Mother Has Flat or Inverted Nipples The shape of the mother's flat or inverted nipples can also often make the baby unwilling to breastfeed. The flat or inverted shape can make it difficult for the baby to maintain the position of the nipple in its mouth. To overcome this, mothers can stimulate the nipple or use a breast pump before breastfeeding. Both methods are known to help lift the nipple position, making it easier for the baby to hold it in its mouth while breastfeeding.
   

3. Decreased Breast Milk Production in the Mother A small amount of breast milk obtained by the baby during breastfeeding can make them frustrated and trigger a nursing strike. The decrease in breast milk production for the baby usually occurs in mothers who are giving birth for the first time, experiencing stress, suffering from certain illnesses, or changing breastfeeding patterns due to daily activities. If the baby's refusal to breastfeed is caused by these factors, mothers are advised to consume nutritious foods, drink plenty of water, and try to breastfeed the baby as often as possible to help increase breast milk production.
   

4. Baby is Teething In general, a baby's teeth begin to emerge when they are 6–12 months old. At that time, the baby may feel uncomfortable in their gums, making them unwilling to breastfeed. If the baby refuses to breastfeed due to discomfort in the gums, mothers can help relieve the pain by rubbing the baby's gums with a finger or a towel soaked in cold water. If the baby bites the mother's breast while breastfeeding, the mother can insert a finger into the baby's mouth to stop it.
   

5. Cold and Blocked Nose Another reason a baby may refuse to breastfeed is a cold and blocked nose. This condition can make it difficult for the baby to breathe, causing discomfort and eventually leading to a nursing strike. If the baby's cold and blocked nose are mild, mothers can address them by maintaining the humidity of the air in the baby's room. In addition, it is advisable to clean the baby's nose regularly using a clean, soft cloth. However, if these methods do not relieve the baby's complaints of a cold and blocked nose, it is advisable to consult a doctor for a proper diagnosis and medical treatment. Cold and blocked noses can also be symptoms of respiratory infections in children, such as pneumonia.
   

6. Distracted Baby Attention As babies grow older, they become curious about their surroundings. This curiosity makes their attention easily distracted, often causing the baby to stop or even refuse to breastfeed because there is something considered more interesting.
   

7. Baby is Still Sleepy It is advisable to avoid breastfeeding a sleepy baby. This can make the baby fussy and refuse to drink breast milk. This condition often occurs in newborns because the procedures and medications used during childbirth can make the baby more easily sleepy. However, this drowsiness is usually temporary and can improve over time. Nevertheless, try to breastfeed the baby as often as possible so that they become more accustomed to breastfeeding. Therefore, there are several ways to try to wake up the baby so that they are willing to breastfeed, such as rubbing their feet or back, removing their blanket, or changing their diaper before breastfeeding.
   

8. Change in the Taste of Breast Milk One common reason why a baby may refuse to breastfeed is a change in the taste of the mother's milk. This condition is usually caused by changes in hormone levels in breastfeeding mothers due to various factors, such as resuming menstruation, getting pregnant again while breastfeeding, taking birth control pills, smoking, or consuming certain foods and drinks. In addition, a different body odor from the mother, such as using perfume or deodorant, can also often disturb the baby and make them unwilling to breastfeed.
   

9. Prematurely Born Baby Generally, premature babies need to be cared for in a special ward before being returned to their parents. Therefore, mothers cannot breastfeed premature babies immediately and need to wait until the baby is ready to breastfeed. Prematurely born babies tend to take longer to learn to breastfeed properly. This is because if born prematurely, babies tend to have smaller body sizes, including smaller mouth cavities, compared to the normal size of a baby's body. Additionally, premature babies also have weaker body strength compared to normal babies. These conditions make it difficult for the baby to breastfeed correctly, causing the baby to refuse or be unwilling to breastfeed. One way to deal with this situation is to use a breast pump and give the baby breast milk through a bottle. Then, breastfeeding directly from the nipple can be done when the baby has grown and has more strength.
   

10. Baby is Sick or Has Congenital Abnormalities When a baby is sick, they will feel uncomfortable, often leading to a refusal to breastfeed. Some medical conditions that often make babies unwilling to breastfeed include ear infections, thrush, colic, and so on. In addition, babies with congenital abnormalities or injuries during the childbirth process, such as a broken shoulder bone, can also trigger a nursing strike.

Therefore, to ensure the quality and quantity of mother’s breast milk in an optimal condition, you can also consume Morlactan as a food supplement that will help to increase the quality and quantity of breast milk with the combination of two plants: Chinese Malunggay and Oregano. Mothers, nourish with love because #BreastMilkisTheBest for your kids!