Is it gone forever :(

[jodyvo]

This past week my DH has been on vacation. I work 2nd shift during the week and first shift every other weekend. It has been hard working untill 12am with a baby that wakes up at 6:30. My DH has been great and has getten up with her all week.
For the past few months I have only been nursing in the AM and pumping the the rest of the day. Due to DH getting up and my working this weekend she hasn't nursed in a week.
I got up with her this AM and was excited to nurse her. Well she wasn't very interested and she bit me REALLY hard and I jumped and she cried. After that every time I introduced the breast she cried.
Did I really screw things up? I feel really bad that I opted for a little extra sleep over nursing my babes. I may have made a different choice if I had know coming back to the breats would be this hard.
Any suggestions?

[nycmama]

It's probably a nursing strike... she got scared. I know my LO will refuse to nurse if he isn't interested and will just scream bloody murder if I insist.

[tifttu]

The first time DD bit me, I jumped and yelped. She went on a strike for a few days. I just kept offering, she'd scream, I'd try again later. She came back around.

[Nipple_nectar]

I agree that it is probably a strike, offering when baby is most sleepy is when you will have the most luck, like right before nap or at bedtime. It is tough not to scream from the biting, I have a biter and I really have to hold myself back!

Here are two helpful links for you: www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/baby/back-to-breast.html www.kellymom.com/bf/older-baby/biting.html

You want to make sure that you are also addressing teething. This can invite baby to use you as a teether, offering something frozen to gnaw on for a minimum of twenty minutes prior to the session will ensure that this is not the issue.

[jodyvo]

Day 3 into the strike. She cries when I show her the boobie :( I don't know but I think it is over. I will continue pumping untill she hits a year as well as trying to offer her the breast.
Breats feeding has been one of the most challenging and rewarding things I have ever done

[nycmama]

You have provided your baby the best! I'm pretty sure she'll come around... Keep your head up :) I know it's hard.

[Nipple_nectar]

Hang in there nursin momma! She'll be back! Dr. Jack Newman writes an excellant chapter on nursing strikes, maybe your library has this book? It's called the ultimate BFing book of answers, it would be worth a ride to a book store, even if you can only read the chapter in the store;-) This book is my bible!

Have you tried bathing with her and offering while your in there? Are you addressing possible teething pain? Have you tried offering while she is semi~ asleep?