How can I make my daughter eat more during the day and less at night

[Tuty]

Since I got back to work, my 4 months daughter started eating less during the day and more at night. I assume it's because she enjoys the time spent with me. She doesn't reject the bottle, but just doesn't eat as much. Even when I nurse her in the morning, she's sucking much less than she does at night. She goes to sleep at 7PM (finally independantly) and she used to wake up once at around 4AM, but now she wakes both at 11-12 and at 4 and is eatilng a lot at each feeding.

How can I change it?

Thanks,
Tuty

[Carter'sMama]

You  might find that she is becoming more aware of the world around her and therefore less interested in laying still and nursing.  At night because it is dark there are alot less stimulating things to distract her so she will be more concentrated on eating.  You could try feeding her in the darkest, most quiet place during the day and see if that makes a difference.

It could also be a growth spurt (has she had one recently?) but then they tend to be hungry all the the time and not just at night. 

If she is waking every night now is it always at the same time?  If yes then you might have a habit forming.  She very well could be trying to make up the extra time with her momma when she wakes at night.  If this is the case and you work every day then there may be no immediate cure for your situation.  I don't know what else to offer ... 

HTH

[Tuty]

I don't think it's a growth spurt as it's happening only at night and after 4 hours of sleeping. She used to be sleeping for 8-10 hours stretches and now only 4-6-3 (she's sleeping from 7PM to 8AM). The first wake up is not exactly the same time every night, but the second one is almost always at around 5AM. Would moving her to a 4 hours EASY make a difference?

During the day she never cries of hunger, so I'm just making sure she's fed every 3.5 to 4 hours. We're also not so much on an EASY routine but more of AEASY (except for the morning), as if she's fed when she wakes up she would hardly eat two ounces and then be hungry an hour later.

Thanks,
Tuty

[Carter'sMama]

You might find that a 4 hour routine will make a world of difference for you!  Often times just a little change like that settles everything perfectly.  Try to gradually move to a consistent 4 hr routine (although if you were already on a 3.5-4hr then it shouldn't be too hard).

Let me know how you make out with the switch!

 

[Tuty]

I'll try that, thanks.

Actually I think she might have been sleeping too much during the day. Today with the holiday celebration she only slept for 3.5 hours and she forgot to wake up for her 11PM feeding. Let's see what time she wakes up. As of today she also started sleeping on her belly (turned on her own).