Why does the baby not want to take the breast?  The child refuses the breast.  The child does not latch on to the breast: mother’s problems

Why does the baby not want to take the breast? The child refuses the breast. The child does not latch on to the breast: mother’s problems

Often nursing mothers face a problem when the baby does not want to breastfeed. This phenomenon is typical for the first feedings, when lactation is just getting established. To fix the problem, you need to figure out why the baby is freaking out and why he stopped latching on.

Main reasons

  • If you have been bottle feeding or using breast shields, the transition to feeding directly from the breast can be stressful for your newborn. Because of this, he freaks out and refuses the more labor-intensive process;
  • Fatigue and desire to sleep. This explains when the baby does not want to take the breast before bed. A child rubbing his eyes and yawning are sure signs of fatigue;
  • The absence of normal sucking in a child or the immaturity of the sucking reflex indicates disturbances in the development of the newborn. In this case, only an examination by a pediatrician will help;
  • No feeling of hunger. This happens if the baby received supplementary feeding after the previous feeding. Just wait until the baby gets hungry;
  • Flat or too inverted nipples create discomfort when sucking. Over time, the child gets used to it and adapts;
  • Colic and other digestive disorders in infants. How to help your baby, read;
  • The baby may start sucking and then quit. In this case, it is necessary to increase lactation. An article about effective methods for increasing lactation will tell you how to improve milk production.


Situations like this are very common. Scripture is our source of authority, and based on your principles, here are some tips to help you understand the importance of children's participation in worship and church activities. First, understand that the child is part of the body of Christ. Some denominations even consider her a member of the church, even if she does not participate in the dinner. The Bible says that ceremonies appropriate to God's people will be performed before children and used as a teaching tool.

The child does not latch on to the breast: mother’s problems

Therefore, from the very beginning, this possibility of not accepting him has already been ruled out, even if she does not yet fully understand some of these truths. There are several steps that can be taken before, during and after worship or church activities.

What to do

If the nipples are of irregular shape, let the baby get used to it and adjust. In extreme cases, nipple shields can be used. However, be sure to consult your doctor before use!

If the baby does not latch on due to fatigue or stress, calm him down with rocking and distracting activities (songs, games, etc.). Wait until he calms down and relaxes. Then you can offer breast milk again.

Before you leave, you can plan to talk to your child or do it while they are getting dressed. Even though he Small child, you can repeat phrases like “Let’s take the child to church to worship God.”

Short hyoid frenulum

If he is older, explain to him that in church we thank God and others for what he is and does. If he already knows how to read, you can read a text about the importance of communication. At these stages, you can explain that it will not be possible to constantly get up to go to the bathroom or drink water, so that we remain silent during the pastor's conversation, etc.

You can’t offer the breast when the baby is freaking out and screaming!

If previously the child was fed from a bottle or pacifier, then in retraining it is necessary to show persistence and patience. After some time, the baby will forget about the existence of the pacifier.

When your baby starts crying, take him away and try to calm him down. Remember that the feeding position may not be comfortable for the baby. In this case, it is important to establish the correct attachment of the baby to the breast.

So, the child is ready for worship. It is likely that once you reach the church you will have to repeat some of these suggestions again. Raising children is about patience and dedication. Try to get to the church a little earlier. This is sometimes difficult, but ideally you take your child to drink water and go to the bathroom before the service. By creating this healthy habit, your child can play this game for a lifetime.

It is ideal for a child to participate in adult worship at any age, and for worship to include songs and the word addressed to him. But some churches prefer to have a separate schedule. In any of the realities, the fact is that at some point it will be a big problem to remain with your child among adults.

Also, a newborn may have difficulty latching on the breast after vaccination, or if the mother or baby takes medications. If the newborn is sick or teething.


  1. First of all, you need to learn how to properly put your baby to the breast and organize proper feeding;
  2. Don't force feed your baby. If the baby does not take the breast, remove it for a short time and try again after a while;
  3. Place your baby on the breast that has the most milk. It is important that the baby immediately feels the flow of milk. After all, he first sucks and then swallows;
  4. Try letting your baby suck his thumb for one or two minutes. This will prepare the baby for regular feeding;
  5. Watch your diet. The nutrition of a nursing mother directly affects the quality of milk. Some foods change the taste breast milk, so the baby sucks milk poorly or not at all. Read the article “What foods you can eat while breastfeeding”

What to do if the child does not want to take the breast - the source of his joys, refuses it or sucks sluggishly? Why does this happen, and how to fix it?

Depending on your age, he will ask you to sit with your classmates. Sitting with you is easier to manage: ask him to calm down, make sure he doesn’t run, etc. If you are crying a little while holding him in your arms, be firm. Do not remove it immediately. Many children, even nice ones, use crying as manipulation. And when you leave, you do exactly what you wanted. Often mothers become embarrassed because some siblings begin to look strange. Understand that your child's crying is also educational for these brothers to learn that the church is a body and that children are a part of it.

No one needs to be convinced of the benefits breastfeeding, convenience and mutual pleasure for both the baby and his mother. But in the process of establishing lactation (the production of milk by the body of a nursing mother), problems may arise. One of the most unpleasant things is that the baby cries and does not take the breast, refusing it himself. The reasons why the baby rejects the mother's breast can be described briefly - either the baby or his mother is unwell.

Content:

We need patience, love and understanding to live as a body. When a child's cry disturbs our comfort, we need to demonstrate these virtues. It's entirely possible to carry papers, pencils, or a quiet toy when your child is young. We think the child isn't paying attention or doesn't understand because she doesn't absorb the whole cult like an adult, but that doesn't mean she doesn't absorb anything. If your child already knows how to read, it is very important that he/she participates in the entire service with an adult!

Help him find biblical texts and pay attention to the lyrics of songs and hymns. You can also talk to your child about the meaning of worship. Usually children have a lot of doubts about dinner and baptism. Explaining each of these points will help you understand more about the need for respect and the importance of worship. Many parents leave as soon as the programming ends. The moments after solemn worship have deeper connections. Adults talk and children usually play.

Voluntary refusal of the child to breastfeed: runny nose and thrush

Voluntary refusal from the breast may be a symptom of an incipient disease in the infant. If the lack of appetite is accompanied by a rise in temperature (above 38 degrees), loose stools, vomiting, uncharacteristic drowsiness for a baby, or severe anxiety, as well as a runny nose or cough - do not hesitate to consult a doctor.

This is one of the few free times your child has to strengthen Christian friendships with other church kids. Stay, but don't stay too long. Your child needs to learn to love church, but if he spends too much time there to the point where he gets upset and wants to go home, that's not cool. This is special advice for pastors.

At home, talk to your child about the service: How was the service, son? Do you remember what the pastor said? If he is older, you can explore this point by asking: Do you have a word that the pastor said that you do not understand? Finally, avoid talking about worship or church in front of your child. Teach him as a child that we go to church to give, not to watch, a service. God should be the center, not our personal taste or how we feel.

Sometimes the baby may greedily take the breast, and then stop sucking and start crying. This often happens in cases where a baby has a stuffy nose. Then he needs a consultation with an otolaryngologist. For example, in case of ear pain (at this age, due to a runny nose, the ears can very quickly begin to hurt) or thrush (in the case of infection with Candida fungi in the oral mucosa), the child’s refusal to breastfeed is a completely logical phenomenon, since breastfeeding is difficult and uncomfortable. Then the baby cries, does not take the breast, and loses weight because he is hungry and sick.

But you must understand that by giving him a child, God gave you a special calling, father or mother. The same God who provided salvation in Christ Jesus will also provide all the resources needed to raise our children to glorify Him. And He also gives forgiveness when we are helpless, lazy or impatient in raising our young children. Lay your difficulties and your sins before Him and thank Him that He is part of the body of Christ and we can worship Him no matter our age.

You are permitted and encouraged to reproduce and distribute this material in any form, provided you give notice to the author and translator, do not change the original content, and do not use it for commercial purposes. I decided to present my first bottles.

If you replace the breast with a bottle, this will not solve the problem in any way - it will still be painful and uncomfortable for the baby to suck. Plus, to one physiological stress of the baby (illness), another will join (cessation of breastfeeding), and this will only worsen the baby’s health.

Breast refusal: central nervous system damage

The fact that a child does not want to breastfeed may indicate the presence of damage to the baby’s central nervous system, which could have occurred in the womb, during birth, or in the first days after birth. In such cases, the baby sucks sluggishly, does not take the breast well, he is extremely restless, there may be a trembling of the chin (tremor), frequent regurgitation, and shuddering. It may seem that it is physically unpleasant for the baby to suck, for example, because of a headache. Or the baby gets tired very quickly while sucking the breast, then the baby gives up the breast in exhaustion after 2-3 minutes.

But now the child categorically refuses to take this bottle, which was still prepared with love. When you think about it, baby, it's normal to prefer his mom's breasts! The situation is finally very common, but about such guilt and worry for you, mother, who wants to wean gently and serenely!

Each situation is, of course, special, because you are also a single mother, because your child is unique, and especially depending on his age, the situation requires different solutions. But in general terms, far from preconceived ideas and ready-made solutions, here are some recommendations that will help you find a solution that will lead him to the encouragement of his first bottles, strengthened and soothed by your love.

If such symptoms appear or if the certificate from the maternity hospital contains an indication of PEP (perinatal encephalopathy), then you should contact a pediatric neurologist with your baby. At the same time, try to find the most optimal option for breastfeeding: it may be better to feed the baby your expressed milk from a cup or spoon for the first few weeks, or you can try doing this from a syringe or pipette.

If you want to continue breastfeeding, reassure him. Tip, consider moisturizing the pacifier for ease of reference. Because you are reducing your milk supply in favor of the milk recommended by your pediatrician. So if you can arrange for a trusted person to give the first baby bottles without the smell of your breasts, baby will know better where to turn!

A baby who refuses to eat all day is not in danger, he is simply making up for the evening by finding you, and in very rare cases this situation can continue for several weeks, causing anxiety and doubt for you and possibly the person who is keeping your baby safe. , he knows what he needs and will eventually understand and accept the situation, assured your words of love, smiles and especially your return every night!

The main thing: try to maintain breastfeeding. But it is not advisable to use bottles, despite the fact that sucking from them will certainly be easier if the hole in the nipple is not too small. However, there is a high probability that subsequently the baby will not want to take the breast at all, and will strain to “get” milk. When the baby gets a little stronger (the little man’s nervous system and brain are endowed with excellent recovery abilities), you can switch back to the usual way of feeding - breastfeeding.

And then give him time to get to know the pacifier, suck not suck, the mechanisms required by the mouth are not the same. When a baby refuses the breast, from birth or any time during breastfeeding. Seeing your baby refuse the breast is probably one of the most confusing and worrying situations a woman who breastfeeds can live through. Unless they are mistakenly confused with weaning, sucking kicks usually end up being a solution, either because we found the cause and we were able to correct it, or because we never knew about it. little time and attention solves the problem.

Trust your own baby and do not rush to deprive him of what he needs.

Breast refusal: improper attachment and lactation problems

A common reason for infants who are only a few days old to refuse to breastfeed is “pre-breast” sucking on a pacifier or bottle-feeding the baby in the maternity hospital. The baby does not understand why such changes occur, it scares him, and the child cries and does not take the breast.

Breast refusal: central nervous system damage

A baby who seems to refuse the breast from the start is often a baby who was distressed during labor or in the moments following: Drugs given to the mother during labor can cause the baby to become lethargic, drowsy in the early days, which can be confused with breast refusal. Some studies seem to suggest that epidurals may cause disorganization in newborns, with possible consequences for breastfeeding in the early days. newborns can have a serious impact on the baby's ability to breastfeed, especially gastric aspiration of inserting a catheter into the esophagus and into the stomach, and subsequent separations, especially at night, can have the same effect, especially if we give bottles to the baby "so that his mother can rest."

Sometimes problems can arise due to improper attachment of the baby to the breast or engorgement of the woman’s mammary glands - the breasts become tight and it is difficult to suck on them. If the baby does not latch on the breast, the reason may lie in feeding strictly according to the schedule, and not at the request of the baby, or for too short a time, in the opinion of the main consumer. It happens that a baby does not breastfeed if the mother does not have enough milk. As a result of such reasons, the child sucks sluggishly or may even refuse, he becomes restless and capricious.

Likewise, some particularly "muscular" breasts can have disastrous results. If, for example, when wanting to “help” a baby latch onto the breast, we hold our head and push it towards the breast, there is a significant risk that she will throw it back reflexively. reproduce on subsequent attempts, even if no one touches his head. If these call signs are not accepted, what will happen? At first, often nothing: the child will remain hungry and quickly fall into deep sleep.

If we then try to offer him the breast during this deep sleep, he will not be able to wake up enough and seems to “refuse” the breast. If these signals are ignored for several hours, the next time the baby wakes up, he will more or less miss these subtle signals and immediately start crying. This is when he may scream, get up, give the impression that he no longer knows the signs to suck, or even that he is “giving up” the breast by throwing his whole body backwards. obvious breast refusal: the baby's pain due to injury during childbirth, a medical problem, jaundice, the baby's hypertension which causes him to "curl up" his body, the smell of food on the nipple, the baby's hypersensitivity to stimuli, etc. In the face of all these possible cases, there is only one watchword: patience.

When there is too much milk in the mother’s breast, the newborn may choke out of habit, swallow excess air during feeding, and then the baby’s tummy often begins to ache.

It happens that the child does not take one breast, which has characteristics of the nipple or inflammatory changes in it.

Often a child does not want to breastfeed when there are changes in the taste of milk. This often happens from 3 to 12 months after birth, when the mother’s menstrual cycle returns. At this time, breast milk takes on a somewhat salty taste. This may also be explained by a violation of the mother’s diet, when she eats overly hot and spicy foods.

It takes time, trial and error for the baby and his mother to master feeding techniques. note that we see babies breastfeeding after a few days or weeks. Second possible reason- load: the baby may have difficulty latching onto the breast in his mouth, the milk may be difficult to get out, and we enter a vicious circle from which we can only escape due to processing. We also have to think about a strong ejection reflex: a baby who had done well in the early days with the flow of colostrum suddenly became completely submerged in water and exceeded it during the “milk rise.”

Other reasons for a baby's refusal to breastfeed

Among other things, the reason that the baby does not breastfeed may be a change in the mother’s smell, for example, due to a change in soap, perfume, or deodorant.

Less often, a child does not breastfeed well due to changes in the baby’s usual way of life, for example, such as the appearance of strangers in the house, the mother going to work, or a new nanny.

If a child does not take the breast at the age of 6-8 months, in most cases we are talking about the baby’s imaginary refusal to breastfeed. Now the baby is actively crawling and learning the world in a contact way, but without observing him as before, and all these events can distract and captivate him. Even in his sleep, he can continue to experience new emotions and often wake up at night.

What to do if the baby has trouble latching on the breast?

Whatever the reason that the baby does not suckle, sucks sluggishly or refuses altogether, the main thing is to eliminate this reason! Try to carefully analyze the situation and help your baby and yourself begin to enjoy breastfeeding again.

If there are problems, try to be with the baby at all times and offer the breast whenever he wants, at his request, including at night. Put away pacifiers and bottles. Of course, the baby is unlikely to approve of such harsh measures, but do not give up, do not despair, believe in your own strength and in the natural intelligence of the child. A few days - and everything will definitely get better.

Make sure your baby's position at the breast is correct during feeding. The baby should be able to grasp the entire areola, and not just the nipple of my mother’s breast. The baby should be happy and calm during feeding, completely pressed against you, you can hear how the baby sucks out and then swallows the milk - without retracting the cheeks or smacking sounds.

If there is not enough milk for the baby, try to eliminate any stressful situations, especially fears and worries about the lack of breast milk. Try to rest longer, sleep in your baby’s “sleep mode” (or take a nap at least once during the day). Any household chores, including street walks with a baby in a stroller, can be done by someone else, but the happiness of breastfeeding a baby is given only to you.

Try to maximize the number of feedings, give both breasts at one feeding: first one, and when he “empties” it, the other. Remember to ensure that your diet includes at least 2 liters of fluid per day. You can try folk and homeopathic lactogenic remedies. And be sure to support yourself psychologically, don’t forget about yourself: you will only need one hour to go to a beauty salon, to the store for something new that will please your eyes, or to a cafe with a friend to drink a cup of green tea.

What to do if the baby does not want to breastfeed because there is too much breast milk? Usually in the first days of the onset of lactation, approximately 3-4 days after birth, there is too much milk coming in. In this case, it is advisable for the mother to reduce her intake of liquids, especially warm ones, as well as food. The advice here is simple, but very effective! Your baby is still weak, the baby sucks sluggishly, so at first it is recommended to express the excess with a breast pump. This will help prevent breast congestion and engorgement. Try to take a warm shower before each feeding (then your breasts will become softer and milk will “give” easier) and set yourself up for success. Soon the baby will get stronger and grow up, and your body will adjust the production of milk in the amount it needs.

There are certain breastfeeding rules that should be followed, namely:

  • 1. In any feeding position, it is important that the baby’s body is in the same plane, the whole - head, shoulders, legs and, of course, tummy. For example, in a lying position, the baby should lie on the side, and not on the back, with the head turned to one side towards the mother’s chest - this makes swallowing difficult and provokes muscle tension.
  • 2. Very small children should be clasped diagonally with your hand, from head to toe, with a delicate but confident grip, fixing the baby’s head.
  • 3. The breast should be served, supporting it like a bowl, from below with four fingers and from above with the thumb.
  • 4. Always pull your baby to your chest, taking a comfortable position, and not stretching your chest towards him or bending too much.
  • 5. You need to place your breasts deeper into your mouth, along with the areola (the entire nipple circle). In the case of an impressive size of the areola, make sure that the child grasps it from below more than from above (relative to the child’s mouth).
  • 6. The baby's lips should be slightly turned outward, with the tongue located on the lower gum. It is very important that there are no clicking or smacking sounds accompanying sucking. If they are present (sounds), ask the doctor to check the frenulum of the baby’s tongue. The short frenulum should be trimmed so that the baby can suckle fully, without injuring the mother.
  • 7. Where you feed your baby most often, it is recommended to have several pillows of different sizes so that you can always be seated correctly and comfortably.

Mommy may face some difficulties at first. But you shouldn't give up. If you can’t cope on your own, contact consultants for help to establish breastfeeding. Ask to teach you how to attach your baby correctly while still in the maternity hospital, gain experience from other, more experienced mothers.

Don't worry and remember the most important principle of breastfeeding: in the event of normal developments, breast milk will form in your breast exactly as much as your baby needs. Soon this will happen, and then no breast refusals will threaten.

A little more about why a baby cries and does not take the breast, and how to deal with your baby’s refusal to breastfeed: