how to wean overnight feeds
As new parents, we learn and understand that our newborn will need to feed frequently both day and night. But as the months progress, many parents wonder when 2-3 hour stretches will turn into 6-8 hours and finally to 11-12 hours.
You’re not alone if you’re past the newborn phase and experiencing frequent night wakes. Many parents experience the exhausting cycle of frequent overnight wakings, often turning to feeding as the quickest solution but wonder how to wean overnight feeds.
While feeding can provide fast relief, it’s essential to recognize that not all nighttime awakenings stem from hunger. Understanding this distinction is the first step towards gently weaning your baby off overnight feeds.
In this blog post, we’ll explore options and how to wean overnight feeds. We’ll provide you with essential tips to help you understand and address this issue, and for more in-depth guidance to night weaning both breast and bottle feeds, be sure to check out our 4-24 months baby sleep course that will help you and your baby sleep through the night.
Identify the true need during the wake up
Babies wake up for various reasons overnight, from hunger to seeking comfort or even habit. Before initiating any weaning process, observe your baby’s nighttime patterns.
Are the wakings consistent? Do they occur at specific times?
Understanding your baby’s cues can help differentiate between genuine hunger and other needs.
A baby that is waking at the SAME time every night no matter what happens during the day may be waking out of habit. If this has been going on for more than a week or two their body gets used to feeding at that time and they will continue to wake at that time anticipating to be fed just like any other meal.
To determine if your baby is waking due to hunger, consider the duration of their longest sleep stretch. If they’ve consistently started to sleep for 6+ hours but now wake every 2 hours, it’s likely not hunger-related, and other soothing methods can be employed. Offering a feed every time can lead to a habitual wake up pattern and a feeding to sleep association.
Reduce the amount offered at a feed
Gradually reduce the volume of milk offered during nighttime feeds.
If breastfeeding you can reduce the number of minutes of the feed each night and if bottle feeding reduce the volume.
This gradual reduction can help your baby adjust to fewer calories during the night and encourage more calories during the day. This gradual reduction can also be helpful to avoid clogged ducts or sudden drop in supply for breastfeeding Moms.
Some babies get stuck in a cycle of frequent overnight feeds during the 4 month sleep regression.
This pattern can start to impact daytime feeds and lead to reverse cycle feeding.
Some babies will naturally drop their nights feeds, but many need our support and guidance. Reducing the amount offered is a great way to encourage better daytime feeds and longer stretches of sleep overnight.
What to expect when reducing night feeds: Your baby may initially protest when you offer them less volume overnight. Your baby will most likely continue to wake as you reduce the night feeds. Using a consistent approach to all wake ups after removing the feeds will help your baby consolidate their sleep overnight and self soothe if they do wake overnight.
Follow our customizable night weaning plans in the Well Rested course and our 1:1 Ultimate sleep coaching program.
space out overnight feeds
Instead of feeding your baby on demand throughout the night, gradually increase the intervals between feeds.
For instance, if your baby typically feeds every three hours overnight, extend the interval to three and a half of four hours between feeds. This approach helps your baby learn to consolidate their sleep and gradually reduces their reliance on nighttime feeds.
What to expect: Your baby may wake up before your newly established time to feed overnight. Using another form of comfort to help them fall back asleep suck as rocking or using a sleep training method to teach independent sleep will help your baby start to lengthen their sleep between feeds.
Offer alternative forms of comfort
Babies quickly adapt to the sleep associations they’re introduced to. If your baby has always relied on being fed, rocked, or held to fall asleep, they may continue to need these associations when they wake during the night.
Babies transition to lighter stages of sleep every 3-4 hours overnight. During these transitions there is potential that they can fully wake.
Sometimes, babies wake up seeking comfort rather than out of hunger. Experiment with alternative soothing techniques such as gentle rocking, briefly picking them up, or offering verbal reassurances with a hand on their back or chest.
By providing comfort in ways other than feeding, you can help your baby learn to self-soothe and fall back asleep independently.
What to expect: It may take longer for your baby to fall back asleep in the first few nights. Your consistency with this will help break the pattern.
Remove feeds cold turkey
For some babies who are 6 months or older, removing all night feeds at one time may be the best option. However, it’s crucial to ensure that your baby is developmentally ready for this step and that they’re receiving adequate nourishment during the day. Using a sleep training method for all wake ups overnight encourages self soothing and promotes consolidated sleep overnight. This is the fastest approach to sleeping through the night.
What to expect: A few nights of wake ups at the same times/intervals you have been used to. You will see fewer and shorter wake ups by using a consistent approach to all wake ups and within a few nights many babies start to sleep through the night.
hunger related wake ups
For babies under 4 to 6 months or those who are underweight, nighttime feedings may still be necessary.
Sleep training doesn’t mean you have to eliminate these essential feeds, but helps your baby establish independent sleep skills.
Most babies with independent sleep skills naturally drop night feeds when they’re ready, as they don’t rely on them solely to fall back asleep. However, the timing varies from baby to baby. Some may sleep 6-8 hours without a night feed as early as 3-4 months, while others may continue nighttime feeds closer to 6 months. It all depends on your specific baby.
4 signs your baby is ready to wean night feeds
Waking frequently throughout the night: After the newborn period your baby can sleep at least one long stretch overnight before needing a feed. Many babies are able to sleep through the night without a feed between 4 to 6 months of age. If your baby is waking every 1-2 hours they are likely waking out of habit. As tired parents, when your baby is waking often and seeking comfort, one of the quickest way to soothe them is through feeding. This habit can lead to multiple night feedings and subsequently reduced daytime appetite.
Falling asleep quickly upon offering a feed: If your baby is falling asleep almost immediately or within a minute or two of offering a feed and NOT taking a full feed they are waking out of habit and the comfort of suckling back to sleep. I recommend removing feeding to sleep starting at bedtime. The Well Rested course takes you through this process step by step.
They do not fall asleep easily after a feed: If your baby is hungry overnight they should settle back to sleep quickly and easily after taking a full feed. If your baby is taking a long time to fall back asleep or needs a lot of extra comfort after a feed they are waking out of habit and not hunger.
They wake up at the SAME time no matter what happens the day before: Whether they eat 20 oz or 40 oz or they take great naps or crappy naps they ALWAYS wake up at the same time!
conclusion
Understanding whether your baby’s night wakings are due to hunger or habit is essential for both your baby’s well-being and your sanity. While deciphering your baby’s needs can be overwhelming, remember that consistency is key. If you’re struggling to tackle night wakings, consider exploring our detailed sleep course for step-by-step guidance. With patience and the right approach, you can help your baby master the art of sleeping through the night, giving both of you the rest you deserve.
Need sleep support?
If multiple night wake ups and feeds or distracted daytime feeds are the norm…I have a class for you! The 4-24 Month Well Rested Collection will walk you step-by-step through a completely customizable sleep training experience. In just a few weeks, your baby will be getting 11-12 hours of independent night sleep, how to wean overnight feeds, AND you’ll have a plan to navigate any future regressions or bumps in your journey. I’ll also help you set up a daytime routine and nap schedule that fits your family’s lifestyle and values. And you’ll get age-specific guidance to meet your baby right where he or she is developmentally at every stage from now until your baby turns 2.
For personalized support and daily guidance we also offer 1:1 personalized sleep coaching to families. I have multiple options that can help you get your baby’s sleep back on track!
