why is DD reverse cycling?

[maptome]

DD is 7 months. I SAH with her. For several months, she's been too distracted to nurse. I've tried everything, darkened room, bottle, cup, syringe, solids. She will not eat during the day. She screams, pushes, and fights it violently. We cosleep, and at night, she wakes every 1.5-2 hours to nurse. I can not get her to go back to sleep without nursing. She sleeps 12 hours and needs me next to her the entire time or she will not sleep. During the day she will only nurse for her two naps and once before bed.

So, which is cause and which is effect? Frequent night nursings causing her to not be hungry during the day, or not eating during the day causing her to be hungry and nurse all night?

I know others have had similar issues. Is this a phase that will resolve itself?

[odoole]

Originally Posted by Pearl H

So, which is cause and which is effect? Frequent night nursings causing her to not be hungry during the day, or not eating during the day causing her to be hungry and nurse all night?

I know others have had similar issues. Is this a phase that will resolve itself?

I think it's the latter -- distractability causes the night feedings, though I'm sure the hunger cues and milk supply responds in such a way that makes it difficult to switch back.

My 7 mo is the same way. He'll occasionally take a bottle during the day and he'll nurse around naps, but that's about it. Honestly, I sort of prefer the reverse cycle to trying to deal with nursing during the day when we're out and about. But I know not everyone feels that way.

I personally think as they start eating more solids during the day, the need to nurse at night will decrease (unless they're purely comfort nursing, in which it may not. But in the case of DS, he's actually doing substantial feeds at night).

[maptome]

Originally Posted by odoole

... Honestly, I sort of prefer the reverse cycle to trying to deal with nursing during the day when we're out and about. But I know not everyone feels that way...

Yes. It would be convenient if I could accept the situation. I'm still not wanting to leave the house because I know she will have a chance to eat at home, whereas if we are out, she definitely won't eat. If I could just relax about it....

odoole, you seem so relaxed about it. How did you get there? I'm not exhausted or anything because I'm "sleeping" so many hours, and baby is so big and chubby =), but I can't seem to let it go. I'll work on it. Thanks!

[odoole]

Originally Posted by Pearl H

Yes. It would be convenient if I could accept the situation. I'm still not wanting to leave the house because I know she will have a chance to eat at home, whereas if we are out, she definitely won't eat. If I could just relax about it....

odoole, you seem so relaxed about it. How did you get there? I'm not exhausted or anything because I'm "sleeping" so many hours, and baby is so big and chubby =), but I can't seem to let it go. I'll work on it. Thanks!

Hmm, I don't know why I'm so relaxed about it. I guess the first few times he fought daytime nursing were annoying and worrisome to me because I felt like he was on some kind of a nursing strike that felt permanent at the time, but then we settled into this pattern of nursing around sleep and it just seems to work for us. I love that it's such a calming, safe thing for him to do and I can depend on him getting the nourishment he needs at those times. Plus, I will be returning to work when he is 10 mo, so I know that this nighttime bonding for us will be especially important at that time.

Good luck! Trust that your DD will regulate herself and get the nourishment she needs, and it's fantastic that the nighttime feedings aren't upsetting your sleep too badly.