How To Eliminate Nighttime Breastfeeding

One of the questions that is often asked by breastfeeding mothers (through Facebook posts, forums, comments on blog articles, meetings with breastfeeding consultants, and in personal conversations) is " How and when can I stop night meals? "Understandably, most parents need rest and constant, restful sleep, but they still want to make sure the baby doesn't starve.

Of course, there is no fixed schedule for when night weaning will occur. Every baby is different, so everyone will be ready to give up breastfeeding at different times. Even breastfeeding specialists and pediatricians could not say exactly when babies are physically ready not to eat at night.

You may want to think about the easiest way to meet your baby's needs and whether it would be easier to reduce nighttime breastfeeding in the middle of the night, sleep with your baby so you can breastfeed more easily without waking you up. or completely stop eating at night. The best for you may not be the best for another mother. Therefore, you need to assess the situation well and make your own decision.

If you have already tried your best to take care of your own holiday needs such as: going to bed earlier, waking up later in the morning and deciding that you want to wean your child at night, know that it can be very difficult, especially if it is not ready to do it alone. This will require finding suitable replacements for any need for breastfeeding. You will have to try all sorts of ways to help him fall asleep.

The key to skipping meals at night is to continue to meet your child's needs. There are a number of wonderful mothers who do not breastfeed at night, but get up to take care of their baby, no matter how many times it may be. Night weaning may work for some families and not for others.

What should be the baby's nutrition at night according to age

Although there is no "magic age" at which every baby is ready to stop night feedings, there are some general guidelines for night feedings and its frequency that seem to be found in most babies:

• newborns up to 3 months of age: feeding every 2-3 hours, on request;
• 3-4 months: 2-3 meals a night or every 3-6 hours, on request;
• 5-6 months: 1-2 night meals;
• 7-9 months: 1, maybe 2, night meals;
• 10-12 months: 1 meal at night;
• 12 months or more: usually no nutrition;

Of course, growth, disease and teething will be factors to consider. During these periods, the baby may need night feeding, although it will not need it under normal circumstances.

When can I stop breastfeeding at night?

Before you stop nighttime breastfeeding, there are a few questions you need to answer:

If the answer is no, the child may need these calories at night. If you are not sure how to answer the question, consult a pediatrician.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for six months and the gradual introduction of solid foods such as breastfeeding can continue until the age of 2 or until the mother and baby wish. Night weaning is easier for bottle-fed babies and usually occurs after 6 months of age, while breastfed babies often continue night feedings for more than a year. But if you take such a step, it is good that the child is at least 6 months old.

It is important to note that weaning at night can lead to complete weaning!

Some mothers, especially those who have to work, appreciate the closeness and extra time that night meals provide. If so, you don't have to stop, as long as you get enough rest. But if you suffer from sleep deprivation and feel tired, it may be time to give up nighttime breastfeeding.

Signs that the baby is ready for night weaning

The instructions above are helpful, but how will you know when your baby is ready for weaning at night? Be alert for these signs, they could indicate that the child is ready to miss a meal at night:

If the infant does not eat as much as usual during the day, but still wakes up, one or more times at night, this is a good indicator to encourage the baby to eat more during the light part of the day. When you get more or all the necessary calories during the day - you will be ready to wean at night.

You may notice that the baby wakes up at night and cries for you, even though he is not very hungry. He sucks for a short time or drinks some milk from a bottle after which he stays awake and wants to play. In these cases, it most likely wakes up out of habit, not hunger. You could accept this sign as a readiness on the part of the baby to stop night feedings.

Once the baby has started eating solid foods, it will not be too long before he is ready to wean at night. It may still need one (or possibly two) night feedings, but after a few months it will be ready and you can gradually eliminate nighttime breastfeeding.

How to stop eating at night?

There is a guiding principle here. Do not try abrupt weaning. Instead, the plan is to make slow, increasing changes over time.

Some mothers decide to breastfeed at night to maintain milk production. But if you decide it's time to stop, your baby will still benefit from breastfeeding through breastfeeding during the day.

Here are some tips that will help you and some of them are recommended by the Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA):

Consider whether a consistent routine every night before bed will have a good effect. Some children prefer to go to bed earlier, while others do better later. Some like bathing and singing, while others prefer reading a book and rocking.

See how easy it is for a baby to fall asleep without breastfeeding. You could try not to offer the breast immediately and try walking with it, rocking, stroking it or patting it on the back to help it fall asleep.

Breastfeed your baby for the last night before bed - this can sometimes be seen as "sleep feeding". You breastfeed your baby just before bed, even if he is already asleep. This usually happens when the baby is ready for bed or when he is already asleep. This last breastfeeding will help increase sleep time before the baby wakes up again.

Keep the breasts out of reach - when the baby sleeps next to you, for greater convenience, and it's time to stop eating at night, restrict access to your breasts. Wear pajamas that will make it harder for the baby to reach the breasts. Another option is for the child to start sleeping in their own crib, but close to you.

Include help from the father - if the child wakes up to breastfeed sooner for comfort he can get comfort from the father. He can comfort him with a little water, lie down next to the child or support him. Dad can even sleep with the baby in another room. It is likely that the child will sleep more peacefully with fewer awakenings than if he sleeps next to you.

Increase daily contact - the baby is likely to wake up more often and look for the breast at night if you have not spent enough time together during the day. Do not limit breastfeeding during the day and spend enough time with the child.

Talk to the child - with an older child you can try to explain to him that night is a time for sleep, not eating. That he has already grown up and does not need food at night. At first you will not accept and understand it, but keep repeating it every night with time it will work. Have conversations every day before the night stop to give him enough time to prepare for the transition. Help him learn how to wait a few minutes during the day when he wants to breastfeed. If you can do this during the day, then you can try to shift the wait at night. When children wake up at night and can wait a few minutes, they will often fall asleep on their own.

If the baby's feeding at night is short (about five minutes), you can remove it completely and soothe the child by singing, rocking or carrying him while he falls asleep. Keep in mind that it will probably take a few nights to get used to the new routine.

If breastfeeding usually lasts more than five minutes, you can gradually reduce the time your baby eats over several evenings. This will help him gradually get used to the change.

This is how:

1. The first night, let the duration of breastfeeding is normal for the child.
2. Then reduce the feeding time from 2 to 5 minutes every other night. For example, if your baby usually feeds for 15 minutes, you will breastfeed for 13 minutes for two nights, then 11 minutes for the next two nights, then 9 minutes for the next two nights, and so on.
3. Reassure the child after each shortened breastfeeding if necessary through the methods that work with him (singing, rocking, reading stories, soft music, etc.).
4. Once you have reached a breastfeeding duration of five minutes or less, stop feeding completely.

If you decide, you can try to reduce the time faster - for example by five minutes every two nights.

As with breastfeeding, bottle feeding can also be stopped completely if the baby takes 60 ml. milk or less. As with breastfed babies, if necessary, soothe the baby by singing, rocking, etc.

However, if your baby drinks more than 60 ml each night, you can gradually reduce the amount your baby drinks over 5-7 nights.

This is how:

1. Reduce the volume of milk by 20-30 ml every other night. For example, if the baby usually drinks 180 ml, you will give 150 ml for two nights, then 120 ml for the next two nights, and so on.
2. Soothe your baby after each meal with less milk in ways that comfort him.
3. Once you reach 60 ml or less, stop offering the bottle completely.

You may notice that your baby starts eating more during the day after you stop eating at night. These changes in appetite will pass and be established within a week.

The most important thing is to be patient. Different babies will reach a good night's sleep at different times. Weaning a baby from breastfeeding at night will take time and a lot of patience. Stick to your day and night routines as much as possible and you will start to see results in the end!

Expect to feel mixed emotions when you stop eating at night. You close one chapter of your life together and this can lead to some feelings of grief. Seeing your baby upset by weaning at night can make you feel guilty for making him or her experience such suffering. But don't forget that you gave him everything he needed with breastfeeding and everything has an end!

More on the topic of night breastfeeding:

• "Until when to continue night breastfeeding";
• "Night breastfeeding - why it's so important."