How and when to reduce or stop overnight feeds
In this post I’m going to cover the main areas of night-weaning and offer some expert tips to reduce feeds.
When to night-wean?
I strongly believe that it is your personal preference as parents when you feel confident and ready to stop overnight feeds. Some families are happy feeding once they’re getting a stretch of 6-8 hours, others prefer no feeds, or a dream feed before bed. This is your journey, and there is no wrong way for YOU. From around 6 months, many babies have the ability to go a long stretch of 6-8 hrs overnight without a feed. Once they’re well established on solids, many can go the night without a feed altogether. It’s important to remember each baby is different, so embrace their unique journey.
Signs you can reduce night feeds:
They are gaining weight
They are well established on solids and are feeding well in the day
They are “snacking” overnight rather than taking efficient feeds
Feeding overnight is impacting how much they’re eating during the day
They are over 6 months old
Feeds overnight are more regular than daytime feeds
5 Tips & Tricks to help:
No. 1: Keep feeds regular throughout the day, offer a top up before bed and make sure solid meals include proteins and carbohydrates! Fill that kiddo up!
No. 2: Use Feed Zones! Only feed during certain times of the night to encourage your little one to stretch longer between feeds. You can use an alternative form of settling if they wake between these “zones” to help them back to sleep without feeding
No. 3: Gradually reduce feeds. Aim to reduce 1 or more feeds each night. If bottle feeding this might look like reducing the number of ounces until there’s only a couple left. If breastfeeding, you can reduce how long you’re feeding by a couple of minutes each night until they’re only really snacking. This will help move them from 2-1 feed and then from 1-0 feeds. Any missed calories will be made up during the day!
No. 4: Give them a little longer before you offer a feed. If you normally go to feed them straight away on waking, try settling for 30 mins or so, before offering the feed. This will both help push feeds out a little later, and encourage them to go back to sleep without milk if they’re not genuinely hungry
No. 5: Practice independent sleep
Feeding to sleep is a magical superpower for us to have, but if it’s no longer sustainable it can end up disrupting sleep more. Helping your baby fall asleep without a feed will encourage them to continue to do this if they wake overnight
Reminder
Night weaning is a gradual process and can take time. What might work for one baby may not work for yours, so there’s no harm in trying different things. You're doing an amazing job, and sleepless nights won’t be here forever. If you need more support with night weaning, frequent night wakes or independent sleep, get in contact with me to find out more about how I can help.
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