#04: When and How to Drop Your Baby’s Night Feeds

Welcome to Episode 4 of "Creating Well-Rested Families," hosted by me, Unnati Patel, your certified pediatric sleep consultant and sleep bestie.

In this episode, we dive into an essential milestone in both your and your baby’s sleep journey—night weaning. This significant transition is not just about reducing nighttime feedings but is a step towards longer, more restful nights for your entire family. Night weaning can be a challenging phase for many parents as it involves understanding and responding to your baby's development and nutritional needs accurately.

It is important to know that while some babies show signs of being ready to drop some (or all) night feeds at 4 months old, some may need a night feed till close to 12 months.

Whether you’re breastfeeding, bottle-feeding, or using a combination of both, it’s crucial to approach night weaning with careful consideration to ensure it’s a smooth process for everyone involved. Today, we’ll explore what night weaning really entails, how to determine the right time to begin, and practical strategies to make the transition as gentle as possible for everyone. We will also discuss special considerations for breastfeeding mothers to prevent issues such as mastitis and ensure that milk supply is maintained effectively while dropping night feeds.

Episode Highlights and Key Takeaways:

1. What is Night Weaning?

   • Explore the concept of night weaning, which involves reducing and eventually eliminating your baby's nighttime feedings. This change is crucial for helping your baby (and you!) enjoy longer stretches of sleep. Keep in mind that you can drop all or just a couple of night feeds depending on your status. If you have a baby that always eats upon waking every 2 hours then maybe start by dropping every other one. But ultimately, listen to your baby’s cues and address their needs.

2. Ideal Timing for Night Weaning:

   • Learn about the best time to start night weaning, which typically falls between 4 to 6 months of age. However, readiness can vary based on individual development and health. Please consult with your child’s pediatric care provider for guidance before dropping night feeds for your baby.

3. Preparing for Night Weaning:

   • Discover effective strategies to prepare for night weaning, including increasing daytime feeds and establishing a solid bedtime routine. Moving the bedtime feed at the start of the bedtime routine or right after bath can help ensure they are getting a full feed and help get you that first long stretch of sleep. This as well as others discussed in the podcast, helps ensure that your baby is well-nourished and ready for longer sleep periods at night.

4. Special Considerations for Breastfeeding Mothers:

   • We discuss specific tips for breastfeeding mothers on how to smoothly transition through the night weaning process without impacting milk supply or causing discomfort. But since I am not a lactation consultant or breastfeeding expert, I do recommend you consult with your own lactation consultant or IBCLC before starting your journey of night weaning.

5. Challenges and Flexibility:

   • There may be situations where you may need to start introducing night feeds again. Understanding that this is okay is important. We discuss some common challenges that may arise during night weaning, such as teething or illnesses, and how to remain flexible in your approach.

Relevant Blogs:

Soothing Ladder

When and How to Start Night Weaning

Conclusion and Engagement Encouragement: Have questions or need personalized advice about night weaning? Feel free to reach out through our free community membership and social channels, or simply email me.

Engage with the Show: Your engagement and feedback help us make this podcast even better, so don’t hesitate to reach out.

• Connect with Unnati: 

  • Instagram: @nestedtorestedsleep

  • Facebook: @nestedtorestedsleep

  • Website: https://www.nestedtorestedsleep.com/

  • Email: Contact@nestedtorestedsleep.com

• Enjoyed the episode? Please leave a review, subscribe for more insights, and share this episode with a friend looking to become a well-rested family.

Thank You for Listening! Stay tuned for more episodes where we continue to empower and support you in your journey to creating well-rested families. Until next time, keep resting, and remember, you're doing an amazing job.

REFERENCES: 

American Academy of Pediatrics. (2022, May 31). Newborn and infant breastfeeding.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, April 6). How much and how often to feed infant formula. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.

Healthy Children, American Academy of Pediatrics. (2022). Amount and Schedule of Baby Formula Feedings.

O'Shea, K. J., Ferguson, M. C., Esposito, L., Hammer, L. D., Avelis, C., Hertenstein, D., Gonzales, M. S., Bartsch, S. M., Wedlock, P. T., Siegmund, S. S., & Lee, B. Y. (2022). The impact of reducing the frequency of night feeding on infant BMI. Pediatric research, 91(1), 254–260. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41390-021-01397-7