Reverse cycling: What is it and how to stop reverse cycling

In the early days of breastfeeding, newborns tend to eat every couple of hours — day and night — or have their days and nights mixed. Although exhausting, this behavior is usually short-lived, and we’re prepared as new parents to be up all night feeding a newborn. But when your baby suddenly begins wanting to nurse every few hours again at night well after the newborn stage has ended, you’re likely wondering, “Why is my baby waking like a newborn again!?” 

IN THIS ARTICLE:

​​What is reverse cycling?

Possible reasons for reverse cycling

How to stop reverse cycling

How reverse cycling impacts baby sleep

When to contact the pediatrician about reverse cycling

Takeaway

Reverse cycling FAQ

What is reverse cycling?

Reverse cycling is when babies beyond the newborn period (usually 4 - 6 months old, but sometimes older babies, too) suddenly begin waking up hungry more frequently overnight. Babies stuck in a reverse cycling pattern typically eat less during the day. This results in a cycle of eating more at night to make up for the missed daytime feedings. The night wakings are usually unrelated to sleep associations and can occur in babies that have done some sleep training and used to sleep through the night. 

Possible reasons for reverse cycling

• Your baby is too distracted to take full feeds during the day.

• Your baby’s schedule is preventing enough daytime feeds.

• Your baby is not finishing bottles or refuses to bottle feed after mom returns to work.

• Your baby is falling asleep during daytime feedings due to overtiredness.

Note: Reverse cycling is different from night waking due to a growth spurt. During a growth spurt, infants will eat more frequently during the day and night. Reverse cycling specifically includes feeding less often during the day and waking up to eat more during the night because of the reversed pattern. 

How to stop reverse cycling

Tip #1:

Temporarily move to a less stimulating environment for daytime feedings. It may be necessary to turn off the lights, close the door, and put down your phone so your baby can focus on feeding. Increasing the number of feedings per day should give your baby more opportunities to get those calories in — and increase your milk supply. The idea is to help encourage more milk intake during the day so that there’s less hunger at night.

Remember: It is common for babies (especially between 4 - 6 months old) to become “too busy to breastfeed” during the day. The distractible baby phase passes pretty quickly, so hang in there! 

Tip #2:

Consider if your baby’s daytime schedule is limiting opportunities to feed, which sometimes happens when following the E.A.S.Y. (eat, play, sleep, your time) routine. For example, if you usually breastfeed after each nap but your baby’s wake windows are longer now (or they’re taking long naps), you may need to nurse again before the next nap, too, to ensure enough daytime feedings.

Tip #3:

If your baby is less interested in bottles and tends to leave bottles unfinished, consider introducing a sippy cup. Some babies as young as 4 months old are ready to learn how to drink from a sippy cup. Look for soft spout cups with handles so your baby can practice bringing the cup to their mouth. 

Tip #4:

Contact a lactation consultant if your baby won’t take a bottle while you’re at work or school and you have already tried the following:

• Moving feedings to a relaxing room with no distractions or outside

• Varying the temperature of the milk

• Offering freshly expressed breast milk rather than frozen if high lipase is suspected

• Different bottles or nipples

• Feeding while rocking, bouncing, or walking 

We recommend contacting a lactation consultant in your area who can provide you with personalized recommendations and help rule out issues such as tongue-tie [1] or problems with oral motor coordination or weakness. We understand how stressful it is if you’re starting work soon or have recently returned to work and your baby will not take a bottle. There is hope!

How reverse cycling impacts baby sleep

When babies consume fewer calories during the day and more during the night, their sleeping patterns can also be impacted. Babies who do not feed well during the daytime may struggle to fall and stay asleep for naps due to hunger. Additionally, all the extra night feedings spell disrupted sleep overnight. Periodically, babies who are stuck in a reverse cycling pattern will often get less than the desired amount of sleep, leading to overtiredness.  

When to contact the pediatrician about reverse cycling

If you have any concerns about your baby’s intake or weight gain, you should contact your child’s pediatrician. They will likely also want to rule out any feeding or digestive problems, developmental issues, and an ear or upper respiratory infection as the cause for fewer daytime feedings.  

Takeaway

If your baby seems more interested in nursing at night than in the daytime, you’re likely dealing with a reverse cycling situation. Implementing some of the tips above and beginning to space out overnight feedings can get you back on track with a new nursing schedule that is age-appropriate and supportive of nighttime sleep.