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Maryan
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I've never had any of my babies go on a nursing strike. I *believe* it's because he's getting some teeth (I see the bumps). I've never had a child teeth so late either (most of my guys are 6 monthers).
Leading up to this point he was nursing all.the.time because of the teething. So now I'm *really* sore, he's really sad, and I don't know what to do.
He arches his back every time I lead the horse to water. I tried sitting him on my lap to see if a different position would relieve the pressure. I'm holding him tons, I'm doing skin to skin, etc. Nothing. Neither one of us is sleeping.
I asked my neighbor for some infant tylenol/motrin to see if relieving some of the pain would help. (I just had an empty bottle on my shelf). 
Any suggestions?? We're just so sad.
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Maryan
Mom to 6 boys & 1 girl: JP('01), B ('03), M('05), L('06), Ph ('08), M ('10), James born 5/1/12
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Elizabeth
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Crawl into bed under the covers with him. Especially, take advantage of trying when he's falling asleep or just waking up.
Nurse in the tub.
Try rocking in a really dark, quiet room.
Try NOT ROCKING (it could be the extra sensory input he doesn't need).
Pay attention to your own tension/stress level. If you have to clear your calendar for a couple days and just snuggle, do it. You'd do it if he were sick...
Karoline wouldn't nurse after riding in the van two days straight to get to Florida. The cure? Nursing by the seashore. Try that 
Our Lady of La Leche will help:
Holy Queen, mother of mothers, consolation and protectress of all Christian motherhood
Mother Mary, help me.
In all the trials and sorrows that come into my day,
Dear Mary, help me.
When all looks dark and I find none to speak a consoling or cheering word
When I am wearied by the weight of countless vexing little things and my
patience is sorely tried
In the impatience and rudeness of others, by the example of your mildness
When others speak sharply to me and I would speak harshly in return,
that I may show the gentleness of your own kindly speech
When my efforts seem to bear so little fruit and to be so little appreciated
and I am discouraged
When a thousand worrisome distractions and annoyances come into my day
and it seems so hard to keep my peace of heart
When all others seem to fail and I turn to your gentle aid
In all things, Mother, assist me.
That I may, like you, with patience turn all my trials into spiritual treasures;
That I may grow ever more like you,
the cherished queen of the most holy family.
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Elizabeth Foss is no longer a member of this forum. Discussions now reflect the current management & are not necessarily expressions of her book, *Real Learning*, her current work, or her philosophy. (posted by E. Foss, Jan 2011)
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MaryM
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Maryan wrote:
| Any suggestions?? We're just so sad. |
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Patience, patience, patience! It really does take time and patience. There are usually no quick fixes.
Everything you are doing is great and I encourage you to continue trying techniques even if they didn't work earlier.
I know you said neither of you is sleeping, but there has to be "some" sleeping going on, right? Will he nurse while almost asleep or just before waking up? Look for light stage sleep. This is usually one of the best times to try.
You also might try nursing while walking around (I know he is big and heavy, but do you have a sling or something that will take the weight off). Motion really can be an amazing help. Suckling is rhythmic and if you can mimic a rhythic motion (swaying, jostling, rocking also) baby can be lulled into a rhythmic suckling.
Skin-to-skin is especially great and I'm encouraged that you are already doing that - have you tried taking a bath together - just relaxing, no expectations - sometimes works.
And you'll want to express some milk if possible to maintain your supply, stay comfortable, and reduce the risk of plugged ducts.
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Mary M. in Denver
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PDyer
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| Posted: Dec 11 2008 at 12:05pm | IP Logged
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Elizabeth wrote:
Crawl into bed under the covers with him. Especially, take advantage of trying when he's falling asleep or just waking up.
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This suggestion worked back when my daughter was wee... 
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Patty
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Maryan
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Oh ladies thanks for all these suggestions.
MaryM wrote:
| And you'll want to express some milk if possible to maintain your supply, stay comfortable, and reduce the risk of plugged ducts. |
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I don't have a pump. I've never needed one. If I have my dh get a manual one at Target will that help? Truly, I'm so ignorant. I've had a spoiled, spoiled, spoiled nursing experience with my guys.
Elizabeth hearing that Karoline went back to nursing after a strike was reassuring -- it helps relieve some of the panic. I've heard too many strikes that lasted more than a day that led to weaning.  And I needed that prayer.
We just tried under the covers for over an hour and it did soothe him... and almost sleeping, but then he got hysterical again. Right now John Paul is holding him while I eat and regroup for a second. And I'll try rocking and holding again.
Poor, poor thing.
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Maryan
Mom to 6 boys & 1 girl: JP('01), B ('03), M('05), L('06), Ph ('08), M ('10), James born 5/1/12
A Lee in the Woudes
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JodieLyn
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you can hand express if necessary
I've had one wean at 11mo but it was not a nursing strike. And I have had ones that wanted to nurse but it hurt too much.. that was usually short lived.. and tylenol (though I had one that tylenol did nothing and I had to give her ibuprophen) and staying relaxed and calm and catching that almost sleeping stage worked.
actually since you mentioned his gums were swollen, you might consider getting ibuprophen (they make it for infants/toddlers) it helps with the swelling and pain which could give him more relief than the tylenol that just targets pain.
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Rachel May
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Maryan, I was able to express enough milk to leave Cecilia for a weekend (after Bill came back from Afghanistan) just using a manual pump.
And I remember how hurt I felt when one of mine did a strike. The baby minded not at all; I felt completely rejected. I know it has to be so much harder when the baby is unhappy too! Praying that he settles in for a good feed soon.
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SuzanneG
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Maryan~Do you a bunch of local people/local "list"/email group that you can send out the SOS that you need a manual pump? Someone around there HAS to have a Manual pump. Mine floats around the Puget Sound area....to those who need it. It's one of those things everyone gets/buys/uses with their first baby and then most of the time, it sits in storage after that.
Hugs,
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Suzanne in ID
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MaryM
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SuzanneG wrote:
| Mine floats around the Puget Sound area....to those who need it. |
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That is a funny picture in my mind  . ANyway, I second trying to borrow or just do manual expression. You don't need to pump a ton and hopefully this will resolve itself shortly.
I have lots of friends who have gone through strikes and really all have gone back to nursing with the patience and time thing. It just means you have to be willing to work with it and not assume they are done if it hasn't resolved in a few days.
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Mary M. in Denver
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MaryM
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Oh, yah, and I was also going to mention looking at other possible soothing measures if it is teething discomfort. Cool, soothing teether toys, frozen washcloth to help numb/soothe gums before offering to nurse. Cool packs on breasts to make them cool and soothing .
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Mary M. in Denver
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Maryan
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You guys are the best! After 28 hours, Philip nursed -- albeit just on one side, but that's a start!
That catching him just as he went to sleep worked. I don't know if this is a reflection on my house... but the quiet room must have been too quiet. The living room with Rachel Coleman singing the birthday song with all the other boys in the room (so a nice buzz of activity not too loud, not too soft) lulled him to sleep. I tickled and caught him then and then he and I snoozed for an hour together! And he's much happier. And so is his mama. 
Hopefully, we'll slowly progress from here. And the encouragement really helped my panic.
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Maryan
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MaryM
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 - Happy here, too!
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Mary M. in Denver
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mathmama
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Praise God!!
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JodieLyn
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yay
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Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
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Elizabeth
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Elizabeth Foss is no longer a member of this forum. Discussions now reflect the current management & are not necessarily expressions of her book, *Real Learning*, her current work, or her philosophy. (posted by E. Foss, Jan 2011)
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Rachel May
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Rachel
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4Real Forums : Mothering and Family Life
Topic: 11 mo nursing strike - OVER! YAY!
