Navigating Night Weaning and Phasing Out Night Feeds: Considerations and Tips
Babies waking up at night is a common occurrence during the first few months of life, typically due to hunger. Small babies have small tummies that need frequent filling, making nighttime awakenings a natural part of the journey. As your baby grows older, these wake-ups tend to become less frequent. Your little one develops a larger capacity to hold food and consumes most, if not all, of their calories during the day.
If your baby is over 6 months of age and you’re contemplating night weaning or phasing out night feeds, it’s essential to consider what suits both you and your child. There’s no rush to eliminate night feeds if you’re comfortable with them. Before making any decisions, consult with your pediatrician or family doctor, as they can provide valuable advice tailored to your specific situation.
When you choose to stop night feeding, you may observe changes in your child’s appetite, potentially leading to increased daytime feeds. This is a natural adjustment and entirely okay.
Night weaning for breastfed children is generally considered acceptable from 6 months of age. At this point, most children receive sufficient nutrients during the day for growth and development.
For breastfed babies, the approach to night weaning depends on the duration of the night feed:
Short Night Feed: If the night feed is brief (less than 5 minutes), you can phase it out by stopping the feed and resettling your child with your preferred sleep and settling techniques. Be patient, as it may take a few nights for both you and your child to adjust to the new routine.
Longer Night-Time Feed: For night feeds lasting longer than 5 minutes, gradually reduce the feeding time over 5-7 nights. Decrease the feeding time by 2-5 minutes every second night. Resettle your child after each shortened feed, using your chosen settling techniques.
For formula-fed babies, phasing out night feeds can be considered from 6 months of age:
Night-Time Feed of 2oz or Less: If your baby consumes 2oz or less during a night feed, you can stop the feed altogether and use your preferred settling techniques.
Night-Time Feed of More than 2oz: Gradually reduce the milk volume over 5-7 nights. Decrease the volume by 1-2 oz every second night. Resettle your baby after each smaller feed, employing your chosen settling techniques. Once you reach 2oz or less in the bottle, discontinue the feed altogether.