Health Tip: Why Baby Won't Breast-Feed

By
Diana Kohnle
March 5, 2009, 11:50 AM ET
1 min read

Mar. 6 -- (HealthDay News) -- Sometimes, babies may stop wanting to breast-feed for a short period, for a variety of reasons. This is not necessarily an indication that your baby no longer needs to breast-feed.

The Nemours Foundation offers this list of possible reasons why your baby may take a break from breast-feeding for a few days:

  • New foods or other dietary changes may make your milk taste different.
  • Your baby is teething, and has sore gums that make feeding painful.
  • You are stressed, and your baby notices.
  • You've changed your breast-feeding routine.
  • You reacted loudly to an accidental bite, frightening your baby.
  • You've changed your perfume or deodorant, and your baby notices the different smell.
  • Your baby may have an ear infection, stuffy nose or other condition that makes breast-feeding painful or uncomfortable.