My baby doesn't eat much during the day but wants to nurse at night — how can I help?

Your daughter's frequent night nursing can be both a result and a cause of not eating enough solid food during the day — she's making up the daytime calorie deficit at night. First, know this is reassuring: solid food intake fluctuates at this age, and breast milk remains the main source of nutrition between 6–12 months.

To increase daytime meals, take these concrete steps:

1. Timing matters: Offer solids when your baby isn't too hungry but not too full — about 30–45 minutes after breastfeeding is ideal. A very hungry baby gets impatient with solids, a very full baby doesn't care.

2. Texture and variety: If your baby can move to finger foods (soft carrots, avocado slices, bananas), they may prefer self-feeding to nursing. If they refuse the spoon, trying finger foods is worth exploring if you haven't already.

3. Gradually reduce night nursing: As daytime calorie intake grows, night nursing naturally decreases. If you want to limit night feeds, you can gently shorten one feed or have your partner offer comfort instead of nursing (if applicable), supporting gradual reduction.

If daytime intake doesn't increase within a few weeks, weight gain slows, or wet diaper count drops, consult your pediatrician.