Baby not feeding during day

What is Reverse Cycling and Why Does it Happen?

Periods of reverse cycling can be challenging to navigate, but there are common reasons why it happens and solutions that may help.

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Baby Nurses More at Night? You Might be Reverse Cycling

Reverse cycling is a specific nursing pattern that often occurs around the four to six-month mark, though it could be a little earlier or later depending on several factors that may be driving this sudden change in your breastfeeding schedule. There are a few common reasons often attributed to why suddenly your baby nurses more at night, which include:

Your parental leave ended and you returned to work. Whether your little one is enrolled in a daycare or is being cared for at home by a family member or nanny, you may not be the only one getting used to your back-to-work schedule - your baby might be adjusting to the change too! Reverse cycling frequently happens because he or she wants food, comfort, or both, and may not be getting as much as they desire of either because you are now away during much of the day.
Your baby may not drink as much breast milk during the day or may take just enough of their bottle to stay satisfied until you're with him or her again. When this happens, he or she may not be getting enough breast milk while you're away and will then nurse frequently overnight to "make up" for this deficit. This is not dangerous or necessarily a negative, so long as your baby is eating. Your little one may also become easily distracted in a daycare environment, leading them to be more interested in everything going on around them and less likely to be as interested in their bottle or eating. Finally, he or she may simply desire the soothing effect that comes with breastfeeding and wish to receive this comfort throughout the night, since they are adjusting to less time with you during the day.
Your little one is going through a growth spurt. Quick, temporary phases of reverse cycling may occasionally happen simply because babies grow quickly! During periods of especially rapid growth and development, he or she may want to nurse more often than usual. When you finally have a set breastfeeding schedule, it can be challenging to see it suddenly thrown off - but rest assured that growth spurts typically don't last long.
Your baby is sleeping more during the day. This often goes hand-in-hand when you return to work - because your little one is getting most of their feedings when you are at home (typically during the evening and nighttime hours now), they then sleep more during the day without these regular nursing sessions. This pattern reverses your baby's sleep schedule and makes him or her more likely to be awake and alert overnight, which in turn keeps you awake overnight too!

What Can You Do When Baby Nurses More at Night?

If your little one is suddenly waking often throughout the night for feedings, it may be beneficial for yourself and others in your family for you to sleep with the baby nearby. A bassinet close to your bed or a toddler bed in your bedroom can be helpful for attending to your little one's needs quickly and then falling right back asleep, to encourage as much overnight rest as possible. Keeping overnight feedings quiet, gentle, and dark (with minimal lighting) may also help you and your baby fall back asleep faster while avoiding long periods of wakefulness during the night.

It may also be beneficial to help your little one understand the difference between daytime and nighttime. When he or she is sleeping during the day, be sure to go about your day as you normally would - don't draw the blinds or curtains, keep lights on and the television or other background noise at a steady volume, and wake him or her to breastfeed on their normal schedule. Between naps and breastfeeding sessions, keeping your little one entertained, engaged, and active can also help ensure he or she isn't oversleeping during daytime hours or getting their days and nights mixed up.

Finally, if you suspect that your baby or toddler is reverse cycling because of a sudden change in schedule, such as your return to work, starting daycare or preschool, or being with a babysitter for long stretches of the day, remember that he or she may simply need some extra quality time with you. Try nursing your little one as often as possible during the daytime hours that you are together - both in the morning before work and in the afternoon or evening after work - to minimize the need for overnight feedings. It may take some time to discover the breastfeeding schedule that is most effective for both of you, but so long as your baby is gaining weight at the recommended rate and there is no significant change in their daily amount of wet diapers then you can rest assured that he or she is receiving the nourishment they need.

Changing a reverse cycling pattern can be challenging and even frustrating at times, but be patient with yourself and your little one! Sudden changes in your daily schedules, growth spurts, and other physical or environmental transitions often require a period of adjustment - just remember that reverse cycling doesn't last forever. Be sure to talk with your healthcare provider or pediatrician if you have any concerns about your baby or if there are indications that he or she is not receiving enough nutrition. Providing breast milk to your little one isn't always easy, but the wonderful benefits to your and your baby are well worth the occasional challenge - you're doing a great job, mama.

Breastfeeding sleepy and reluctant babies

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Feeding Breastfeeding Common breastfeeding challenges

There are lots of reasons why your baby may be reluctant to feed. It doesn’t mean you aren’t doing a good job as a mum. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to know all the answers straight away and speak to your midwife or health visitor if you have any questions or concerns, or are looking for ways to make feeding more comfortable.

How often should my baby feed?

All babies are different, but it's very common for babies not to feed all that much in the first 24-48 hours, and some don't attach at all. However, from day 2-3 days babies should become much more awake and feed in more frequent (but probably irregular) bursts at least 6 times in 24 hours.

How do I know if my baby's getting enough milk?

Photo of a baby breastfeeding

Breastfeeding at first can be really hard to get used to and you might find yourself wondering if your baby has had enough milk - it can be very hard to judge how much breastmilk your baby has had, but they are clever wee things and you have to have some faith that your baby knows whether it needs more milk. There are signs to look out for if you think your baby isn't getting enough milk.

Why are some babies reluctant to feed?

This happens most often when babies don't get skin-to-skin contact with mum soon enough or for long enough after the birth. Ideally, you want skin-to-skin contact with your baby straight away and for as long as it takes for your baby to want to feed. If you don’t have any complications, your midwife will help you get skin-to-skin with your baby quickly after they are born. Some reluctant babies are just too tired, sore, or sedated to feed after birth, and others can't because they are premature, ill or jaundiced.

What if I miss my baby's signs that they're hungry?

New mums sometimes miss or don't understand their baby's feeding signs – our page about learning your baby's cues explains what you should be looking for. Don’t worry if it takes a while to get used to when your baby wants a feed – it's something you are both learning together and it's baby steps for both of you. It's completely understandable to be worried about how much milk your baby is getting if they're not feeding in the early hours and days. It might help to know that babies are born with several days' supply of fluid and stored fat to get them by until they're ready to feed.

What's the solution?

Your midwife will check in on you to make sure your baby is well and to help you spot the signs that they're ready to feed – remember you can ask your midwife (in the hospital or at home) to help show you how to get in a comfortable position to help get your baby feeding. This video shows just this – very often all it takes is some help with positioning, skin-to-skin contact and a little patience!

Top tips to encourage a reluctant or sleepy baby to breastfeed

Tip #1: Hand expressing to keep your milk supply up

Start hand-expressing your colostrum – this is the first milk you make, and helps protect your baby from illness and infection. You can give this to your baby by syringe, spoon, dropper or cup. Expressing helps to build a good milk supply for when your baby is ready to feed. If this is your first time breastfeeding, it will take some time to get used to expressing your milk. You can find out more about expressing here.

In the first couple of days you only make small amounts of colostrum so don’t become disheartened if it is difficult or takes time. It will get easier as each day and week goes by.

Tip #2: Try lots of skin-to-skin contact

Aim for lots of skin contact and being close to soothe your baby and give them the opportunity to feed.

Tip #3: Try to find a comfortable feeding position

Biological 'laid back' breastfeeding positions can help encourage babies to feed. Your midwife will be able to show you comfortable ways to feed. You can find out more about feeding positions here.

Tip #4: Get your baby ready for a feed

Massaging your baby's skin, changing their nappy and expressing a little milk for them to taste can help get your baby interested in feeding.

Tip #5: Don’t force your baby to feed

Don’t push your baby by the head or try to force them to feed as this could put them off completely.

Getting to know your baby

Learning your baby's cues

Signs your baby isn't getting enough milk

Refusing the breast

Looking after yourself with a newborn

The Scotland wide donor milk bank

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Last updated: 31 May, 2022

Displaced feeding schedule: why does your baby eat all night and how to change it?

03/12/2017

148984

Feeding and sleep

3-6 months --9 months-18 months

Article

Natalya Trofimova

Natalya Trofimova 9000 Mom of two daughters

Does your baby eat little or rarely during the day, but hangs on her chest for a long time at night or often asks for a bottle? This is called a "shifted feeding schedule. " With this organization of nutrition, the child receives the bulk of the calories at night. During the day, feedings are either short or rare, or the baby refuses the breast or bottle altogether. After six months, there may be difficulties with the introduction of complementary foods, especially with unformed nutritional interest. nine0003

Child crisis calendar

Why is this happening?

During periods of crisis in a child's development (a developmental leap, teething, an acute illness, any strong emotional experiences), a temporary and sharp increase in the number of feedings is normal, it just needs to be waited out.
Babies in their first months of life can “mix day and night” and, accordingly, stay awake and eat mostly at night.
Older children become interested in everything and are easily distracted during the daytime feedings, butting for a short time, because they have too many important things to do during the day. nine0030
With the introduction of complementary foods, mothers sometimes begin to replace daytime feedings with breast milk or formula with low-calorie fruit and vegetable purees, and the baby has to “get” calories at night.
Mixed-fed, when breast milk and formula are clearly separated by time of day. When breastfeeding only during the day, the baby may refuse the breast if he prefers a bottle that is given only at night. And vice versa, when feeding during the day with a mixture, and at night with a breast, if the baby prefers the breast. nine0030
Breastfeeding mother works outside the home or is separated most of the day from the baby (even with the possibility of pumping). Breastfeeding at night helps the baby make up contact with the mother and stimulate lactation. This is a good option if you manage to organize a dream so that everyone gets enough sleep.

Answer a few questions to understand if your feeding schedule is shifted:

How many times does the child eat during the day and how, how many times does he wake up at night? nine0030
Does he eat for a long time every night when he wakes up, are sips audible, or is it mostly short attachments with superficial sucking for a couple of minutes?
Are the daily feeds long, does the baby let go of the breast when it is full, or is it often torn off and distracted?
Can a baby fall asleep without breastfeeding or a bottle (both day and night) or is this the only way to fall asleep?

Frequent nightly "snacking" does not always indicate that the feeding schedule is shifted. If feeding is a way to relax and fall asleep, then when awakened at night between sleep cycles, the breast or bottle will again be required to fall asleep. This is an association with sleep, the way and habit of falling asleep. nine0003

What such feedings usually look like:

The baby wakes up every 1–1.5 hours at night and asks for food, and during the day he usually eats after 3 hours, which means that he is unlikely to feel hungry.
The child eats very little at night: he kissed his chest for a minute or a bottle, ate 10-20 ml and fell asleep - in this case, he does not have a goal to eat.
If there is an association for sleep, but the daily appetite does not suffer, mother and baby get enough sleep, there is nothing to worry about. In order for the number of nightly awakenings and feedings to allow sufficient sleep, even if there is an association for sleep, the child must be well suited to sleep and wakefulness. nine0030

Is it possible to change the habit of eating at night and when should I wait?

As much as one would like to reduce the number of night feedings, there are situations when they are necessary. For example, a baby in the first months of life does not gain weight well, there are problems with lactation (little milk, false breastfeeding), adaptation to a therapeutic mixture with a specific taste and refusal to wake up, the baby feels unwell (sick, teeth are being cut), a child is experiencing a developmental leap, stress, a long separation from her mother. nine0003

The assistance will depend on the age and the reason for the predominance of night eating. In the first months of life, with the "confusion of day and night," it is important to show the baby when it is day and when it is night. For daytime sleep, you do not need to create a strong blackout, and at night you need to ensure maximum darkness in the room. Limit overly long naps. All activities, walks, communication - during the day, no games at night.

If the baby is distracted during feedings and “forgets” to eat, you need to create the most calm atmosphere during feedings: turn off the TV, do not use the phone, retire to a darkened quiet room, turn on white noise. You can put a bright scarf around your neck, slingobuses, any baby rattle on a ribbon. Try a different position with less visibility, such as kneeling facing you or in a sling. nine0003

With the introduction of complementary foods, do not rush to replace breastfeeding or mashed formula. The first vegetable or fruit purees are not comparable in calories to breast milk and formula. Occupying volume in the stomach, they reduce milk intake during the day. Complementary foods can fully replace feeding only after 8 months, when it will make up about 20–30% of nutrition and the baby will eat cereals, meat, and vegetables.

On mixed feeding, it is desirable to supplement the baby with the mixture in the required amount after each application to the breast, or feed the mixture by the hour (at regular intervals), and breastfeed on demand. nine0003

A breastfeeding working mother has the hardest time reducing the number of night feeds. To do this, you need to feed the baby often enough during the day, a maximum of 3–3. 5 hours. In the evening, you can reduce the intervals and in the last 3 hours before laying down, put the baby to the breast or give expressed milk every hour, after falling asleep at night around 23-24 hours, offer “sleep feeding”, feed in the morning upon waking up and before leaving the house.

Frequent night feedings are necessary for a child at certain periods of his life and development. The main difficulty is to understand when the crisis period has passed, to begin to distinguish between the child's need for food and his anxiety for other reasons. A child who wakes up at night is not always hungry, and acting always in the same way, you can fix the habit. nine0003

If you can't figure out your feeding schedule on your own, book an individual consultation. The BabySleep consultant team also includes consultants for breastfeeding and complementary foods. We will help you establish a comfortable feeding schedule for you and your baby and return your family to a restful sleep.

Article updated: 06/26/2021 nextArrow: '', responsive: [{breakpoint: 1199, settings: {arrows: !1, infinite: !1, slidesToShow: 1}}] }) }) nine0000 If the child does not eat well: what to do and what not to do

What to do if the child does not want to eat.

- Malyusik, well, one more spoon - and that's it! Last! I ate only two, let's have a little more, here's the most delicious piece for you! - says the average mother, offering a spoon with one hand, playing the accordion with the other, showing the trick with the disappearance of the handkerchief with the third, turning the cutlets over with the fourth, while doing somersaults on one leg.

Sound familiar?

Every dad has an instinct to bring food home, and mom has the instinct to feed the child. And if he refuses to eat, a signal is triggered - "I'm a bad mother" or "the child is sick." nine0003

In this case, the most important thing for a parent to understand is whether the child DOES NOT WANT or CANNOT eat?

If the baby is running around, having fun and looking good, without showing any signs of illness, then most likely he does not want to eat. There can be many reasons:

A breastfeeding child prefers milk and dairy products, intuitively understanding that he needs calcium, and now milk is healthier for him than soup.
The child wants a cookie, not vegetables.
He's really not hungry. For example, his metabolism is slow, breakfast has not yet been digested, and lunch is already being offered. Or the child was sitting in front of the TV after breakfast and his appetite had not yet had enough time to play out. Compared to the boy next door who was outside all day. nine0030
If a child is not genetically destined to become Uncle Styopa, then he can eat much less than his peer, who has tall parents.
Psychological problems. If earlier you accidentally gave your child a bitter cucumber, then he may refuse any green food. Or you yell at the child during the meal, and for him the food is perceived as a trauma.

If your child is lively, but at the same time he has a "bad appetite", then this is not his problem, but yours - the psychological problem of an unsatisfied instinct. If a child jumps, jumps, he has healthy nails, hair, etc., think less about what he lacks. Better think about something nice))

An active child = not a hungry child.

Wait for the natural desire and correctly distribute energy costs - walk more often, send the child to the sports section, or simply say: “If you don’t want to, take a walk, dinner is not earlier than seven and no snacks.” That is, if your child simply does not want to eat, normalize feeding - strictly at a certain time and without snacks. The body will get used to secrete gastric juice strictly according to the schedule.

And one more thing. There are no rules about how much a child should eat. He can eat a kilo (and make you very happy) and 9Send 00 grams to the toilet. Or eat 100 g and learn everything.

But it is much more difficult if the child CANNOT eat.

Causes: