On Strike

It has been a rough weekend. Yesterday morning Emilio woke up and decided he was going on strike...from the boob that is. He would not eat. In the morning he was practically lunging at the breakfast on my plate but the minute I would introduce the milky milky he would fuss, fuss, fuss, crying until I removed my boob from his face and arching in rejection. I thought maybe it was a fluke so I tried again...and again...and again until finally at 5pm I called the nurse line. I mean, come on. No nursing for 12 hours? This is a kid who eats every two hours like it is nobody's business. The nurse said to be patient. Later that night I went against my normal parenting rules and looked it up online, searching for support and guidance. I felt rejected. I felt alone. Nursing is something Emilio and I do TOGETHER like 1o times a day so to all of a sudden not do it was heartbreaking. Every website said the same thing...teething is probably the culprit...usually 2 to 5 days of a strike...lots of skin to skin contact in the mean time...yes, it is frustrating. 2 to 5 days????? My boobs are going to go CRAZY! 10 weeks ago his nursing strike would have been a blessing. I was praying for him to finally take a bottle and STOP nursing with a can of formula in hand and here I was practically in tears because he would ONLY take a bottle and wanted nothing to do with me. Motherhood...I tell ya! At 3am he woke up and I made my way into his room with a bottle of my milk in the frig ready for his 100th rejection of the boob. It had now been almost 24 hours into his nursing strike and there appeared to be no reconciliation in sight. I tried nursing and he refused, turning red in the face and crying with distress. "Okay, okay. I 'll get the bottle." I held him tight and put the bottle into his little mouth and his lips quickly clung around it as he sucked the milk down. I was suddenly sad and seething with jealousy at the bottle. How dare he choose you over me! Irrational I know, but it was 3am. As the milk quickly ran out in the bottle he cried in despair again, still hungry. So I did what I have done for 5 months when I hear that little cry, which was to put him to the boob. He nestled in and latched on. As his little hand moved up towards my face I put my finger out for him to clutch as he always does while eating and tears came to my eyes. "We're back," I thought, even if it is for this one moment. Today has been better. Still fussy but latching. I think we are going to be okay. I just hope we can reconcile in negotiations next time before he decides to walk the picket line.