9 MO and reverse cycling

[mowilli3]

I posted this over in Life with Babe with no response. I hope someone here can help me.

My DS is almost 9MO. When he was 5 MO, he reverse cycled and nursed every 2 hours at night. It happened the same time that I took my older DD out of daycare. He's still nursing every 2-3 hours at night no matter how much he eats for dinner or how much I nurse him before bed.

I've tried nursing both sides before bed. I don't nurse him to sleep. We've even started putting him in the crib at the beginning of the night. I want more sleep. I'm home with him most of the day, so I nurse him at least 4 times between 6A and 6P. He is eating some solids, not a lot, but he grazes on cheerios and whatever else we are eating throughout the day. He weighs about 19 lbs and maybe 30'' tall and is crawling, cruising and standing all day. I know that he's not overeating because he's not as chubby as he used to be.
I don't think my supply is low. I can easily express milk. The day that I work I pump about 18 oz in 8 hours. I tandem, but DD only nurses 2x a day.

I want more sleep. I would be happy with 4-6 hours. Is this a sleep problem or a feeding problem? Any advice?

Thanks,
Mo

[CathMac]

It's my turn to offer you some moral support. I vaguely remember this with DD1 and DD2. It's kind of like childbirth ... it's a blur.

Keep in mind that although they start taking more solids after 6 months they are getting bigger and they are more mobile and burning more calories. I think that for most nurslings it takes longer than most people think for solids to offset the nursing. I have heard that breast milk is usually the biggest source of nutrition through age 2.

If you work full time, as I do, that means reverse cycling.

Hang in there. It will get better.
~Cath

[Mamato3wild ponnie]

Big hugs to you for needing more sleep. Honestly after bf 3 children and still bf my almost 3y/o. This is not a problem with your child at all. This is very very normal for a 9 m/o. some bf babe's go longer at night and other do not. Seems like you have one that like to nurse more at night. What about increasing his feeds during the day or offering the breast more during the day and see if that doesnt help. You also mentioned that you are working, is that everyday or part time. I noticed that when i went back to work ds would bf more frequently at night to make up for the seperation during the day. Also search mothering for a sleep book, that might give you some suggestions for getting more sleep for both of you at night. Again bigs hugs

[mowilli3]

Thanks, mamas.

I work pt. I have one long day in the office and I'm here for 3 hours 3 other days. He only wants to nurse when he wants during the day. I try to put him close to me, but he squirms away. He likes to play with DD and he's really into standing and cruising. I was thinking about giving him a bottle of EBM at night, like 2 extra ounces. I don't know if it will help.