[Angelina Balleri...]

DD (7 months) has refused to BF for 6 days now.

She has a cold and is probably teething.
I had a stomach bug and now have a cold too.

I've been expressing every feed for her.
When I try to get her to BF she screams and screams.

A couple of times I've gotten her up from a nap sleepy and she will bf for a little while on one side...and then she wakes up and screams.

I'm very upset about this and feeling rejected.
Unfortunately I have to go away for 4 days next week so that's going to be even more bottle feeding.

I'm wondering if anyone else has gone through this and how long did it last?

I'm really worried that she might not want to return to BFing after such an extended period of bottle feeding.

[franno]

I was going to say taste due to illness but is she drinking EBM?

Sounds like you're both off colour which could contribute - this happened with my DD at 5 months and the GP told me that my milk was drying up and she was dehydrated and give her half strength formula (which she guzzled). I was devasted but ended up gettong my period back shortly after so I think it was taste.

We went on to BF till she was 16 months so my advice is to persevere with the breast and when refused offer EBM.

[heffalumpsnwoozl...]

Have you tried some different positions, with a blocked nose she may be finding it uncomfortable to breastfeed, and the more seated position of bottlefeeding may feel better for her. My kids were always less happy about breastfeeding when they had a cold, but would usually get back into it when they were feeling better. You could also try saline drops to clear her nose out before you start the feed, that might help a bit. I know it's very upsetting, you're doing so well to persist.

[TwiceTheWoman]

So sorry AB....I think nearly everyone who has ever breastfed has experienced something like this at some stage.
It can be worrying and yes, it can feel like being rejected but it is often only a phase, can be remedied and is often due to a valid cause.
Have you had her ears checked?
With a cold and teething it's likely to be on the cards that her middle ears are glued up and quite sore due to swollen eustachian tubes.
When you know it's not her rejecting you, per se, it's kind of easier to deal with.

Have her checked over. This will pass and she will be glad for her comforting breast feeds again soon. Meanwhile given that she feeling under the weather, all power to you for expressing!
When you return from your four day stint, offer her the breast before she's fully woken and you're both snuggled up in bed.
Keep trying, I can only reassure you that this scenario is more common than many people imagine.
Well done to you AB - your great efforts will pay off eventually and you'll feel such a sense of achievement!

This post has been edited by TwiceTheWoman: 11/04/2012, 03:30 PM

[lucky 2]

I'd second the suggestion above to have a medical check ASAP just incase she does have an infection that can be treated.
I hope she feels better soon and gets back to the breast.

[Angelina Balleri...]

I just wanted to update that DD is BFing normally again.

During her little strike I expressed 30+ EBM feeds for her and it all worked out for the best

[TwiceTheWoman]

Yay AB! Go you!

[Eternally]

14485672[/url]']
I just wanted to update that DD is BFing normally again.

During her little strike I expressed 30+ EBM feeds for her and it all worked out for the best

Well done! Top work, and encouraging for others.

[lucky 2]

Yay, thank goodness, well done with all that expressing!

[heffalumpsnwoozl...]

Great news, happy feeding.