One year old hasn't nursed for 7 hours

[babybrums]

My little guy Owen is refusing to nurse and it's worrying me. The last time he nursed was before his nap at 11 and it's now 6. He pulls down my shirt like he wants to nurse, yet when I try, he pulls off right away and screams. I worry because he won't take a bottle or a sippy cup (we're trying really hard on the latter) so breast milk is his only source of fluids. He's not running a fever and is otherwise in a good mood. Any ideas?

 

[babybrums]

Wanted to add he usually nurses about every two hours.

 

[schmetterling]

It's probably a nursing strike. My daughter did that around that age. Try getting in a warm bath with him with no clothes on either of you. The skin to skin and warm water is supposed to bring back the baby's natural instinct to nurse.

 

[schmetterling]

I should mention she went around 20 hours without nursing (and hardly took any other fluids) and was fine (although a lot of that time was overnight). She started nursing regularly the next day.

 

[babybrums]

Thank you for responding! We've been cuddling all afternoon but will definitely try some skin to skin time.

 

[FoxMommy]

I noticed your pregnant. During pregnancy milk supply can dwindle and or just change flavor and many babies/toddlers don't like the effort required and quit. However many moms successfully nurse all the way through pregnancy and continue with tandem nursing but it was just a thought I had.

 

[babybrums]

I was wondering if the pregnancy might have something to do with it.

He just woke up and nursed. I think he was so sleepy he didn't know what he was doing. Hopefully he'll continue to do so tomorrow. Big relief!