When Is The Right Time To Drop:

This is not a one shoe fits all answer. I believe this is a mom guy, pediatrician check in and family decision.

I work with families who stop night feeds during newborn stages, infant and toddler stage. My biggest suggestion is to ensure feeds mean nutrition and not a plan of getting your child to sleep.

PS- there were several desperate times where I needed my child to take a nap to ensure we did not get overtired and I would feed her… and allow her to drift off. I just ensured this was not an every feed situation.

Within this blog I want to give you some ideas on how to ensure feeds are for nutrition and then, ways to know when weaning the night feed is a possible option for your family.

How to set up Night Feeds:

A dim light (not brightly lit room).
Sitting up in the bed or a chair.
keeping baby awake.

When your little one is waking for night feeds then, be sure to have the environment set where they know it is time to stay awake and receive an entire feeding that is full. When they are in and out of sleep they are not filling up so they begin to wake more often to eat, but also, get sleepy again.

Helping your little one learn to wake, feed and then, put themselves back to sleep helps for easier nights.

Typical Night Feeding:

Newborns, feed on demand. Always ensure they are eating every two hours. Chat with your pediatrician in regards to weight gain and if allowing your little one to sleep longer stretches, if they will, is okay. Always check with your pediatrician.

Ages 3.5-6 Months: Usually we see 2-3 night feedings at this age. It all depends on the child. but, if weight is not an issue, and you are ready to end night feeds, this can occur at this age, too!

Ages 6-12 months is when we see babies tend to be able to make it through the night with 0-1 feedings.

Usually, after twelve months, if there are no medical concerns babies and toddlers can make it 11-12 hours at night without a feeding. If working with me I will see what a parents want is for this scenario, and really discuss that if we are going to keep a night feeding at this age then, we want to be sure we are in control of this scenario and implementing boundaries.

We would want to keep the time the same each night, have a routine in place and ensure after 12 months, bottles have disappeared. Keep in place the dim lit room, child fully awake, parent too.

If there are no medical concerns, I will discuss with the family that night feeds are not necessary at this age, and we can wean if they are interested.

How to Wean:

Simply start with a feeding during the night and if your little one typically nurses 20 mins, nurse a lesser amount of time, each night until you reach 0 mins

If you bottle feed simply, reduce the amount of ounces each night, until you hit 0 ounces.

Stick with one feeding at a time. After you have weaned one feeding, begin weaning another feeding.

Be sure to always check with your pediatrician before making the choice to wean. Remember a 2 -month old is going to wake to feed at night, that is okay. Remember, a healthy 18- month old is completely fine with sleeping through the night, if you choose to have that happen.

If this is something you are in need of support then, lets schedule a free call. I would love to work with your family and help you all find restful nights whether you choose to night feed, or not.

Your Sleep Coach,

Brooke

Below you will find the packages. Within all of these packages we are able to create a plan together that helps your family keep or wean night feeds.

Packages