When you think of the newborn phase, what comes to your mind? Perhaps you think of sweet baby snuggles and itty-bitty little toes. Or maybe you think fondly of the adorable snorts and grunts that babies can’t help but make while they are eating.
But for many, what comes to mind when they think of having a newborn are the sleepless nights that coincide with those early weeks of having a baby. Although it can be exhausting, those nighttime wake-ups are important, essential even.
Newborn babies need to eat roughly every 2-3 hours in order to maintain a healthy growth pattern. Like it or not, this means you will be getting up with your sweet baby at least once during the night.
Although at the moment it may seem like this sleepless season will go on forever, it won’t be long before your snuggly little newborn doesn’t need to eat multiple times throughout the night. As our babies grow, so do their tummies. This allows them to eat more in one feeding, and consequently go longer stretches between feeds.
For some babies, this transition happens naturally...they simply begin sleeping longer. But for many babies, it isn’t quite that simple.
This is where the concept of “night weaning” comes into play. Just because your baby is able to sleep for longer stretches without eating, doesn’t mean they will want to. In fact, if given the choice between continuing to sleep or having a delicious snack and warm snuggles, most babies will opt for the midnight (and let’s be honest, 1 am, 3, am, and 5 am) feeding.
Night weaning refers to the gradual process of transitioning your baby so sleep longer and eat less during the night. Sounds appealing right?
Now you may be wondering, “How do I know if my baby is ready to be weaned off nighttime feedings?”
Good question! When it comes to night weaning, there is no “one size fits all” option. Whether or not your baby is ready to cut back on nighttime feedings depends on several unique and individual factors.
The AAP (American Association of Pediatrics) says that children should be able to sleep through the night if they...
Weigh at least 14 lbs
Have doubled their birth weight
Have maintained a consistent growth curve
Are at least 6 months of age
These general guidelines are a good place to start, but for specific advice concerning the unique needs of your baby and whether or not he/she is ready to cut back on nighttime feeding, consult your child’s pediatrician.
Okay, now here’s the real question everyone is wondering...HOW do I go about night weaning?!
Assuming you’ve talked with your child’s doctor and gotten the green light for weaning your baby off of night time feeding, here are a few helpful tips to get you started:
HOW TO NIGHT WEAN YOUR BABY:
Make sure the environment in which your baby is sleeping is conducive for long, restful sleep. Things to think about:
Is my baby’s room dark enough?
Is my child wearing a comfortable sleep sack and pajamas? Are her clothes sufficient for the weather (not too hot or too cold)
Do I have a white noise machine?
Maintain a consistent sleep routine. Your nightly sleep routine should be filled with relaxing and familiar activities that help your child wind down and prepare for bed. Your sleep routine may include:
Feeding (Note: baby should NOT be allowed to fall asleep during this feeding)
Bath time
Diaper change and pajamas
Stories, Songs and/or prayers
Goodnight hugs and kisses
Your child should fall asleep independently at bedtime. After you’ve completed your bedtime routine, place your baby in his crib/bassinet awake and let him fall asleep on his own. If your baby is still learning to fall asleep independently, you may:
Return to check on your baby every 5 or so minutes
Offer kisses and reassuring words
Place your hand on his belly for a few seconds to reassure him of your presence
DO NOT offer another feeding at this time.
In order to cut down on feedings (if she is waking to eat multiple times a night) commit to just ONE night time feed. Tips:
Offer a feeding at the first natural waking past the midnight hour, other than that, help them fall back to sleep without a feeding (follow the same steps as bedtime).
Don’t wake the child to feed them, wait until they wake naturally.
After one week of only having one night time feed, work on dropping the last feed. Your baby may be ready to drop the last night feed if:
She is still waking multiple times outside of the one night feed. In this case, your baby’s wakings are not because of hunger, its because they have a habit of wanting fed to go back to sleep
She is older than 8 months.
If you think your baby might be ready to drop the nighttime feedings, double-check with your pediatrician and use these steps as a guide to get you started!
