Weaning From Night Feeds
***Before we get into the meat of this, I want to note that I am not your child’s doctor, and that this is general information. Please make sure to get the go ahead from the pediatrician before making any decisions regarding dropping night feeds.***
Some babies wean from night feeds naturally as they get older, while other babies hold tight to them until an external push (read: MOM) makes it happen. Either way is okay!
For the *majority* of babies, what I like to see is
by 4 months: 0-2 feeds per night
by 5 months: 0-1 feed per night
by 6 months: 0 feeds per night.
Maybe your baby is right on track with the above, or maybe they're waking and eating way more frequently throughout the night. Whatever the case may be, the first thing I want you to consider:
Is your baby able to fall asleep independently? If the answer is NO, this is where I want you to start! Pick a sleep training strategy that you are comfortable with and have your baby start learning how to fall asleep on their own at bedtime. Once they're able to do that, they will have the tools to be able to connect their sleep cycles at night when the feed(s) is no longer available.
If your baby is able to fall asleep independently, you have 2 options for how to wean them off of those night feeds:
COLD TURKEY. No longer offer them any milk. But what should I do when they wake up screaming for it, Margaret? Apply your sleep training strategy!
GRADUAL DECREASE. This is a gentler approach. If bottle feeding, reduce the number of ounces in the bottle each night. Start by doing this to the first feed, and then to the second feed. If breastfeeding, (this can be a little trickier), decrease the length of the feed. If typically, baby is on your breast for 10 minutes, decrease by 2 minutes each night. Apply your sleep training strategy following the feed and, once the feed is no longer present, instead of the feed to get baby back to sleep.
As always, whichever route you decide to take, be sure to HAVE A PLAN in place. One of the biggest reasons for why I’ll see some families not have success is because they don’t have a plan for how they’ll tackle those instances in the nighttime when baby is crying!
Now let me share some other thoughts to keep in mind when it comes to eliminating those night feeds…
For babies younger than 12 months of age: Whichever wean down method you go with, be sure to increase the amount of milk you are offering in the daytime! When removing night feeds, we’re not removing those calories from baby’s diet completely. We just want them to shift to being in the daytime.
Here is an example: Within a 24 hour period, a 7 month old baby eats 25 ounces – 20 ounces throughout the day, and 5 ounces at night. When weaning baby off the night feed, we want them to now be taking in all 25 ounces during the daytime.
How can we do this? Begin to offer more ounces per bottle (increase each feed by 1-2 ounces), OR if breastfeeding, lengthen the feeding session, OR add in an extra feed into baby’s day.
The idea is to create the opportunity for baby to eat more throughout the day while we are simultaneously reducing/removing the night feeds.
Can I wean baby off night feeds without them learning how to sleep independently first? YES, BUT… You’ll just have to replace those night feeds with a different sleep prop (maybe use the pacifier, rock them tap them, etc). If baby is not an independent sleeper, they may need help to fall back asleep – so be prepared for that!
What if I want to keep a feed? Now this might be a question asked by a parent who is waking multiple times at night and they want to minimize that, but not drop feeds completely. That's totally okay! Start with making sure baby can fall asleep independently. Next, determine the approximate timing of when a feed will be given to baby (we want some consistency with the timing, as opposed to 10 PM one night and at 4 AM the next night), and if baby wakes at any other point in the night - apply your sleep training strategy! This may work out how you want it, or it may not. Some babies will naturally drop night feeds once they learn how to sleep independently.
Breastfeeding moms: I just want to note that cold turkey may not be the best route for you because it could lead to problems such as engorgement, clogged ducts, or mastitis. And often times, weaning off night feeds can lead to a decrease in supply. To help your body slowly adjust (and to maintain your supply), go with the gradual route if you can OR add in some extra pumping sessions throughout the day, especially before you go to sleep.
I know this may not be an easy process, so if you need support, reach out! Start by booking a FREE 15 minute discovery call and learn how together, we can make a plan to reach your goals!