Baby sleep training: Night weaning
Baby sleep training: Night weaning Reviewed by the BabyCenter Medical Advisory Board Last updated: January 2007 At what age will my baby be ready for night weaning?
It varies considerably with the individual baby. But somewhere between the ages of 4 and 6 months, most babies are getting enough calories during the day to sustain them for five or six hours at night. Even so, it’s not at all unusual for younger babies to sleep for much longer stretches without needing to eat — or for older ones to continue to wake up to eat.
At the same time, your baby has other important needs. Few things are more satisfying and reassuring to a baby than being held and fed in a parent’s arms. If you’ve recently gone back to work and are less available during the day, your baby may want to nurse or take a bottle at night as a way of reconnecting with you. And you may notice that your baby wakes up more often when he’s teething or going through a developmental change.
For all these reasons, it’s important to approach the weaning process gradually and gently, keeping in mind that your baby is still young and has a tremendous need for comfort, closeness, and reassurance — particularly from you.
How do I know if my baby’s ready?
If your baby’s at least 4 to 6 months old, you can probably begin taking steps to wean him from feeding during the night. Of course, even if your baby doesn’t need to eat in the middle of the night, he may still wake up wanting to. Babies who are used to eating several times a night tend to wake up out of habit, and it can take time to change this routine.
It’s important to maintain your health and well-being, and you won’t be able to if you’re chronically sleep deprived. So whether to put an end to your baby’s night feeding depends in part on how it’s affecting you.
If you enjoy nursing or giving a bottle to your baby at night, there’s no reason to stop — he’ll eventually quit on his own. On the other hand, if you find yourself feeling grumpy and exhausted — and your baby’s physically ready for the change — maybe it’s time.
If you’re not sure whether your baby’s ready, talk to your doctor.
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