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Sleeping through the night Vs. Night Feeds


How to Manage Night Feeds During Sleep Training
How to Manage Night Feeds During Sleep Training

We've all been there, its 3a.m, and you wonder if your baby is truly hungry of if they are looking for comfort. As parents, we all know the importance of sleep—both for ourselves and for our babies. But when it comes to night feeds, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed about what to do. Should you continue night feeds? If so, how can you do so without compromising your baby’s ability to sleep through the night? We spent a lot of time debating these questions, and we’re here to share our perspective in hopes of providing clarity and guidance.


How Night Feeds Impact Baby Sleep and Sleep Training

Night feeds are an essential part of early infancy, especially for babies under 6 months old. But as babies grow, these nighttime feedings can sometimes become more disruptive than helpful, especially when they extend beyond 6 months. We've seen time and again that parents who opt to keep night feeds past this age often end up dealing with multiple nighttime wakes and not so great naps. What starts as a manageable routine can quickly turn into a slippery slope, making it harder for both parents and babies to get the rest they need.

While every family’s situation is unique, it’s important to understand that keeping night feeds past a certain age can interfere with your baby’s ability to consolidate their sleep. Our goal is to offer a balanced approach that allows you to make an informed decision, whether you decide to continue night feeds or wean your baby off them.


When to Stop Night Feeds: Signs Your Baby May Be Ready

For babies under 6 months (typically around 4-6 months), it’s still common for babies to need 1-2 feeds during the night. But by 6 months, many babies can sleep for longer stretches without needing a feed. If your baby is waking up multiple times per night after this point, it might be a sign that they’re relying on the feed itself as a sleep association rather than true hunger.

The decision to continue or stop night feeds is highly personal and depends on both your baby’s developmental stage and your family’s needs. There’s no “one-size-fits-all” answer. That said, if you choose to move forward with night weaning, it’s crucial to do so thoughtfully, ensuring your baby continues to get the nutrition they need during the day.


Night Weaning Tips: How to Transition Away from Night Feeds

Night weaning isn’t about reducing your baby’s overall calorie intake—it’s about shifting those calories to daytime feedings to help your baby establish more consolidated sleep. During the day, make sure your baby is getting enough nutrition during their wake windows. This is especially important for bottle-fed babies, as their intake is easier to track. For breastfed babies, however, it can be trickier to monitor how much milk they’re getting, so keep an eye on your baby’s weight and growth.

Consulting your baby’s pediatrician is always a good idea before making changes to nighttime feeding. They can guide you on the best approach based on your baby’s age, weight, and overall development. Some parents find it helpful to track their baby’s weight before and after sleep training, to ensure they’re maintaining a healthy growth trajectory.

If you're breastfeeding and finding that night feeds are starting to affect your milk supply, a lactation consultant can help you manage this transition.

If you’re looking for support with night weaning, sleep training, or simply want more tips on how to establish healthy sleep patterns, our How to Sleep Train - 5 steps to better baby sleep is the perfect resource to help you navigate this delicate stage of your baby’s development. It offers a comprehensive, step-by-step approach to safe and effective sleep training methods that will get you consolidated sleep.

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