Navigating a Breastfeeding (Nursing) Strike: Negotiating an Infant's Development, Temperament and Feeding to Reach a Family's Breastfeeding Goals - FRENCH
HUG Your Baby Durham, North Carolina, United States
Abstract: A “Breastfeeding (Nursing) Strike”, reported to occur in 24% of babies, is an abrupt refusal to breastfeed by a baby who had previously breastfed well. Though only three peer-reviewed articles have been published on this subject since 1992, numerous postings from professionals and parents suggest that breastfeeding strikes cause parents to add formula, begin solids prematurely, or abandon breastfeeding altogether. This presentation differentiates between a baby who “won’t nurse” and one who “can’t nurse” and clarifies the typical age and behavior of a baby “on strike.” Workshop participants will review a “perfect storm” of issues that can trigger a breastfeeding strike: family changes (in health, routines or stress), surges in child’s development, and a baby’s challenging temperament (more fussy, active, intense and/or less predictable). Brazelton’s Touchpoints theory contributes significantly to this presentation. Discover how surges in development may cause temporary, and predictable, disorganization in a baby’s eating, sleeping, or general behavior. An innovative handout identifies when such surges occur to help professionals and parents anticipate times when breastfeeding may become challenging. Taking account of temperament helps workshop participants understand what personality traits might predict a more exaggerated response to expected life and developmental changes. Finally, this presentation offers an approach to breastfeeding strikes that includes: reducing family strain, helping a mother respect and celebrate her child’s unique personality, and employing creative feeding strategies that maintain milk supply. Understanding a breastfeeding strike in terms of child development helps parents “love the strike away” and continue to meet their breastfeeding goals.
Publication:
Diversity and Inclusion: This presentation includes multicultural and inclusive images and video from around the world and references peer-reviewed articles from the USA, Japan, Italy, Jordan and Iran.
Disclosures: Janice Tedder is the president and CEO of HUG Your Baby.
Learning Objectives:
Describe the typical age and behavior of a baby on a “breastfeeding strike.”
Describe three elements of the "perfect storm" triggering a breastfeeding strike.
List three temperament characteristics that might increase the likelihood of a baby’s having a breastfeeding strike.
Describe four developmental events from birth to one year commonly misunderstood as a breastfeeding problem