how to stop reverse cycle feeding in your baby
Is your baby keeping you up at night with frequent feedings but showing less interest in eating during the day? The exhaustion that comes with this situation is all too familiar to many parents. This phenomenon is known as reverse cycling, and in this blog, we’ll delve into what it is and how you can address it effectively.
What is reverse cycle feeding?
Reverse cycling occurs when a baby starts consuming more calories overnight which leads to reduced appetite and feedings during the day. This can create a challenging cycle of disrupted sleep for both you and your baby.
This pattern can develop during a sleep regression if you start reintroducing more overnight feeds when your baby is waking overnight.
reasons behind reverse cycle feeding
Night Waking for Comfort: Babies often wake up at night, seeking comfort, and the quickest way to soothe them is through feeding. This habit can lead to multiple night feedings and subsequently reduced daytime appetite. How to help this? Offer other forms of comfort instead of a feed or use a sleep training method to help them settle back to sleep without feeding.
Distraction During the Day: As babies grow and become more interested in their surroundings, they may become easily distracted during daytime feedings. This can result in them not consuming enough calories during the day, making them genuinely hungry at night. Distracted feeding commonly starts around 3-4 months. How to help this? Establish an eat, play, sleep routine to feed your baby every 2.5-3.5 hours during the day so your baby is not reliant on feeding to fall asleep.
Frequent Snacking: Babies who feed in small, frequent sessions during the day may develop a pattern of frequent night feedings, leading to shorter stretches of sleep. How to help this? Feed your baby every 2.5-3.5 hours during the day to encourage full feeds and avoid using the breast or bottle as a soothing mechanism. We include daytime feeding and nap schedules from 4-24 months in the Well Rested sleep course.
Changes in Routine: Transitions in your baby’s routine, such as starting daycare or illness, can disrupt their sleep patterns, often resulting in nighttime feedings that contribute to reverse cycling.
How does reverse cycle feeding impact sleep?
A tired baby won’t sleep well and a hungry baby won’t sleep well. Reverse cycling leads to more night wakings and fragmented nighttime sleep. Babies compensate for fewer daytime calories by waking up hungry at night. However, it’s important to note that this doesn’t have to be a permanent situation, and you can shift your baby’s calorie intake to the daytime to promote better sleep for both of you. Once you wean overnight feeds your baby will start to get better quality sleep overnight and take better feeds during the day.
is my baby comfort nursing or actually hungry?
Distinguishing between comfort nursing and genuine hunger can be challenging. Here’s how to tell the difference:
Hunger: A hungry baby actively feeds, takes a full feeding, and is typically easy to lay back down in their crib afterward. Some babies will naturally drop night feeds and some will not. Some babies will continue to wake out of habit to feed because their body has gotten used to feeding overnight. The majority of babies are ready to start sleeping through the night with 0-1 overnight feed at 4-6 months.
Comfort Feeding: Comfort feeding involves suckling at the breast or bottle, similar to using a pacifier, or nursing or feeding briefly. Babies who comfort feed may be difficult to transfer back to the crib as they need to continue to suckle to stay asleep. If your baby relies on nursing or bottle feeding to fall asleep you may find more difficulty settling them for sleep without nursing whether it’s at bedtime or overnight.
how to break the reverse cycle feeding pattern
If you’re facing reverse cycling, there are strategies to help break the cycle:
Prioritize Daytime Feedings: Offer full feedings every 2-3.5 hours during the day. If your baby is a distracted eater, create a quiet, low-stimulation environment for feeding.
Manage Daytime Sleep: Follow age-appropriate wake windows, encourage active awake time, and avoid excessive daytime sleep to promote better nighttime sleep.
Consider Night Weaning: Gradually reduce night feedings to shift your baby’s calorie intake to the daytime. Your baby’s daytime appetite will improve as their overnight calories are reduced and removed. Seek guidance on an age-appropriate, step-by-step plan to night weaning. I include customizable night weaning options for both breast and bottle-feeding parents in the Well Rested Sleep Course.
Work on Independent Sleep: Develop your baby’s skills for independent sleep, as this can help reduce nighttime waking. I walk you through 3 methods to help your baby learn to self-soothe and fall asleep independently with my courses.
Reverse cycling can be challenging for both you and your baby, but with the right strategies and support, you can overcome it. Prioritize daytime feedings, manage daytime sleep, consider night weaning, and work on independent sleep to help both you and your baby get the rest you need. Remember, you don’t have to face these challenges alone—seek expert guidance when needed to ensure your baby’s healthy development and improved sleep patterns.
Need sleep support?
If multiple night feeds or distracted daytime feeds are the norm…I have a class for you! The 4-24 Month Well Rested Collection will walk you step-by-step through a completely customizable sleep training experience. In just a few weeks, your baby will be getting 11-12 hours of independent night sleep, AND you’ll have a plan to navigate any future regressions or bumps in your journey. I’ll also help you set up a daytime routine and nap schedule that fits your family’s lifestyle and values. And you’ll get age-specific guidance to meet your baby right where he or she is developmentally at every stage from now until your baby turns 2.
Looking for personalized support and guidance? 1:1 sleep coaching is available to families starting at 3 months of age with the Ultimate sleep plan!
