Helping Your Baby Sleep Better: Understanding Reverse Cycling & Sleep Aversions

As a baby and child sleep coach and sleep consultant, I’ve seen countless parents who are struggling with their baby’s sleep. It’s no secret that the first few months of a baby’s life can be challenging, especially when it comes to baby sleep. Pretty much all babies have night time sleep aversion! But what happens when your baby is older and still struggling to sleep through the night? This is where reverse cycling and sleep aversions come in. As a baby sleep coach I am well placed to help you understand how sleep aversion and reverse cycling relate to each other. In this blog, I’ll be sharing my insights from a recent sleep training workshop I held for some very sleep deprived parents. Let’s explore what reverse cycling and sleep aversions are, whether they are real, how they are related, and how you can help fix them.

What is Reverse Cycling?

Reverse cycling occurs when a baby takes most of their feeds at night and very little during the day. This can be a problem when your baby starts exerting their independence during weaning, therefore eats less during the day knowing they can top up at night. So, why does reverse cycling occur? There can be many reasons behind this, such as a distraction-free environment, more nourishing breast milk at night, or low intake of food and drinks during the day. However, as a baby sleep coach, I’ve noticed that the main reason for reverse cycling in babies is poor sleep habits and a lack of routines.

How Can You Fix Reverse Cycling?

The best way to fix reverse cycling is to establish a consistent feeding and sleep schedule. At night, make sure your baby is getting enough nourishment, so they don’t need to feed as often. During the day, it’s essential to ensure that your baby is getting enough food and drinks regularly, so they don’t need to catch up at night. In addition, it would help if you created a conducive sleep environment by setting up a sleep routine and wake up at the same time every day. This helps your baby normalize their metabolic activity, making it easier for them to distinguish daytime and nighttime.

Is Sleep Aversion Real?

Sleep aversion occurs when a child resists sleep, either by refusing to nap or expressing resistance to bedtime. While it may seem like your child doesn’t want to sleep, the problem usually stems from poor sleep habits or bedtime routines. In most cases, sleep aversion is a compounded problem resulting from pent-up and accumulated sleep deprivation over time. But is it real? Yes, sleep aversion is real, can be related to cot aversion and it is often a self-perpetuating vicious cycle that can adversely affect the health and social relationships of your child.

How Can You Fix Sleep Aversion?

Again, the key to fixing sleep aversion is establishing good sleep habits and routines. One way to make this easier is by using specific sleep associations. For example, use the same pajamas, music, or stuffed animal to create a sleep cue that prepares your child for bedtime. Additionally, it’s essential to stick to a consistent bedtime routine, such as a bath followed by a storybook reading every night. Sometimes, creating an optimal sleep environment that is conducive to your child's sleep, such as dimly lit bedrooms, calming sounds, and temperature control, can also help.

Conclusion

Sleep is an essential part of a baby’s development, and it’s a crucial aspect in their overall health and wellness. Hence, as a baby sleep coach, I urge you not to get discouraged if your baby is going through sleep troubles. Instead, I recommend establishing a consistent routine and environment for your baby and practicing patience and persistence. While it may take a little time and effort to see the results, the impact of establishing healthy sleep habits on your baby’s development is priceless. Remember, I’m here to support and guide you through this journey, so feel free to reach out if you need more help.

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