Last Reviewed: September 2011

Your Questions Answered

Questions about your baby

Sudden changes

My baby spits up often. Is this normal?
What is a "growth spurt"?
My baby was feeding well and suddenly is refusing to breastfeed. Does this mean he wants to wean?

My baby spits up often. Is this normal?

In the first few months it is common for babies to spit up. This can happen after feeding or when your baby is being burped. If your baby is growing well and showing signs of drinking enough, spitting up generally is not a concern. See How to tell that your baby is getting enough milk. At about four to six months of age many babies will spit up less often.

What is a "growth spurt"?

A growth spurt is a period of time when babies are growing and developing quickly. You may notice that your baby is fussier and will want to breastfeed more often. Feeding your baby often will help your body make more milk for your baby.

Common times for growth spurts are usually around three weeks, six weeks, three months and six months of age. See the section on Having a good milk supply for more information.

My baby was feeding well and suddenly is refusing to breastfeed. Does this mean he wants to wean?

Many babies have short phases where they refuse to breastfeed. This is sometimes referred to as a nursing strike. Many parents interpret this behaviour as the baby wanting to wean but this is usually not the case. Some other related behaviours include being fussy, being very distracted and pulling on and off the breast, as well as biting. These feeding phases usually last a short time: sometimes for a couple of feedings, sometimes for a couple of days. These are some things you can try:

If your baby is teething, try a cool teething ring for him to bite on. Ask your doctor about some pain medication if your baby is really uncomfortable.
If your baby has a stuffy nose, it may be difficult for him to breathe while breastfeeding. Consult your doctor before using any infant saline drops or spray to ease the congestion.
If your baby is easily distracted, try breastfeeding in a quiet room with dim lights, or try breastfeeding when he is more settled and/or sleepy.
If your baby continues to refuse the breast, try offering expressed breast milk by spoon or cup if necessary.
If your baby is refusing one breast, use the other breast for now. You may need to express the alternate breast to maintain your supply.

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