reverse cycling

by Heather
(Ithaca, NY)

HI Liz,

My daughter started reverse cycling at 3 months when I went back to work four days a week. She is now 8 months old and still up every 2 hours at night to nurse. She refuses a bottle during the day (absolutely won't close her mouth on any nipple but mine). I try to cluster feed in the evening and top her off before I go to bed, but nothing seems to make a difference. When she is home with me during the day, she still won't nurse much during the day. Any advice on how I can get her taking a bottle and/or reducing feedings at night? I'm afraid to cut her off at night b/c she might not get enough otherwise.

Answer from the lactation consultant

Have you tried a sippy cup or a simply cup feeding? This is what I did with my second daughter, she never would take a bottle. Try it with juice or water and if she takes that you can try expressed breastmilk. OR you can try feeding solids during the day. But all this being said, if she is gaining weight and meeting her developmental milestones, a pattern like this is fine as long as you are ok with it.

Liz Pevytoe, RN, IBCLC


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