Most babies aged between 6 to 8 months, who are healthy and following a normal growth curve, do not require nighttime feedings.
The main reason your baby is still waking up in search of a breast or bottle is that you allow it! I appreciate that you likely do it as you know it is a surefire way to get you and your baby back to sleep quickly. But now they are old enough, you can try to eliminate those overnight feeds, to improve sleep for everyone.
The first step in cutting down nighttime feeds is to ensure your baby is having sufficient milk and calories during the day. Review your little one's daytime feeding schedule to be confident they don't need overnight feeding.
Once you've established a strong daytime feeding routine, you can begin reducing and eventually eliminating nighttime feeds using a few key steps:
Always start with your settling/soothing method - if your little one wakes in the night, try encouraging them back to sleep. Be persistent with this for at least 20 minutes before offering a feed.
If you have to offer a feed and your baby is breastfed, start cutting down on their nursing time. The first night, time how long they feed for, then cut it down by 2 minutes the following nights. For example, if they feed for 15 minutes the first night, the second night you would feed for 13 minutes and then unlatch them. You will need to unlatch them and return them to their sleep space, soothing them (if needed) to sleep.
If your little one is bottle-fed, you begin with your settling method, attempting to get them to sleep for at least 20 minutes before offering the feed. If after 20 minutes they are fussing/crying, you offer them a bottle. The first night you measure how much they drink, and then you reduce the amount of milk in the bottle the following night. For example, if your baby takes 6 ounces for a feed the first night, you offer only 5 ounces on the second night. After they have had their feed please put them back to sleep in their sleep space, and if needed, use your settling and soothing technique to get them back to sleep.
Consider a dream feed: Offer a dream feed before you go to bed, or before the baby's typical nighttime waking time (between 9:30 and 10:30 pm). Feed them quietly, without fully waking them, and promptly return them to bed to avoid disrupting their sleep routine.
Consistency is crucial in eliminating nighttime feedings. If your baby continues to wake for feeds, stick to the same process each time they wake at night. By remaining consistent and gradually reducing nighttime feeds, you can help your baby learn to sleep through the night without needing to feed.
If you would like any support with this or would like further information, please contact me via WhatsApp at 07768124120 or email me at laura@sleepteacher.co.uk
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