Night Weaning: How and When to Drop Night Feeds

Is it time?

Night feeding is normal well into the first year and beyond, for breastfed and bottle-fed babies. There's no age when babies must stop. Many healthy, growing babies can go 6-8 hours without a feed by about 6 months; others still need one feed until 9-12 months. Night weaning is a family choice, not a requirement.

Signs a baby may be ready: - Growing well, with the pediatrician's OK. - Eating well during the day, including solids after 6 months. - Night feeds are short or sleepy, more about comfort or habit than hunger.

Wait if your baby was preterm, is slow to gain, or is sick, teething hard, traveling, or starting childcare. Babies who are apart from a parent all day sometimes need night nursing for connection.

Before you start

• Shift calories into the day: offer full feeds, add one if needed, and limit distractions.
• A dream feed at the parent's bedtime can cover the first long stretch.
• Make sure the baby has a way to fall back asleep that doesn't depend on feeding (see sleep approaches compared).

Gentle ways to cut back

Bottle feeds: - Reduce each night bottle by about 1 oz (30 mL) every 2-3 nights. Never water down formula. - When a bottle is down to 2 oz (60 mL), replace it with settling instead.

Breastfeeds: - Shorten each night feed by a couple of minutes every few nights. - Or stretch the time between feeds by about 30 minutes every few nights. - Unlatch before the baby is fully asleep, then help them settle.

For toddlers: - Explain simply during the day: "Milk sleeps when it's dark. We'll have milk when the sun comes up." A picture book or a light that changes color can help. - Offer water, a cuddle and a calm, boring response at night.

Who settles the baby

If a partner or other caregiver can go in, babies often accept settling more easily from someone who doesn't smell of milk. Single parents and nursing parents can do it too: keep feeds and cuddles separate, and use the same short phrase each time. Expect a few rough nights; most families see change within a week.

The nursing parent's body

Drop feeds slowly. Hand express a little if you feel uncomfortably full. Morning supply may dip; nursing often in the day helps protect it.

Teeth and safe sleep

Once teeth arrive, wipe or brush after the last feed when you can. If you feed in bed, move your baby back to their own flat, firm sleep surface afterward, and never doze while feeding on a sofa or armchair.

When to check in

• Ask the pediatrician before night weaning if your baby was born early, has had weight concerns, or if night waking increases after weaning.
• See an IBCLC if supply drops more than you want or you get repeated clogs.