How to night wean your baby

When should night feedings stop?

It’s normal to start nighttime weaning at around 3-6 months for bottle-fed babies. At the 6-month mark, some babies will have stopped night feedings altogether and start sleeping through the night.² For breastfeeding, it’s more typical to stop night feeds at around 12 months, though every baby is different.¹

Ultimately, when to stop night feeds depends on what’s best for you and your little one. Signs that it might be time for night weaning include¹:

• Shorter or more comfort-based feedings
• An increase in feeds during the day
• Healthy weight gain

Remember that there is no rush to wean off night feeds. But if you do have any questions or concerns, speak to a health professional for tailored advice.

How to stop breastfeeding at night

When thinking about how to wean night feedings for breastfed babies, opt for a gradual approach rather than a sudden stop. Start by slowly reducing the duration of nighttime feeds or increasing the time between them, giving your baby plenty of time to adjust to this transition.

It’s important to note that weaning off a bottle at night and breastfeeding need slightly different approaches. Follow these steps for how to stop breastfeeding at night:

• Continue breastfeeding during the day for a gradual change
• Reduce the time your baby feeds for by up to 5 minutes every second night
• Settle your child after feeding with a technique known to soothe them (i.e. rocking)
• Provide plenty of comfort to replace night feeds when your little one wakes up

As you wean your baby, you’ll introduce more solid foods into their diet. Breastfeeding can help them digest these foods, making it important that you continue breastfeeding during the day to aid this transition.³

How to stop bottle feeding at night

When weaning off nighttime bottle feeding, start by reducing the amount of milk in the bottle over several nights. Work in increments of around 30ml-60ml, giving them time to adjust to each new amount.¹

Make sure you’re using a bottle with variable flow, like the Philips Avent Natural Response Nighttime baby bottle, which adjusts the flow of milk based on your baby’s suction. Not only does this allow your baby time to swallow and breathe, but it also helps you learn more about how much your baby wants to drink, which is essential for weaning.

You can also try lengthening the time between nighttime feeds. If your baby wakes up frequently, use soothing techniques, like gentle rocking and singing, to help them return to sleep. Only offer a bottle after trying these soothing techniques first.

For weaning off a bedtime bottle, switch up your routine so that the bottle isn’t the last comfort you offer your little one. Instead, give it to them earlier in the evening, and follow up with a different wind-down technique, like a bath or lullaby. Your baby will soon start associating other activities with sleep, helping them wean off their bottle at bedtime.

When to stop night feeds: Signs your baby isn’t ready

Whether you’re weaning off a bottle before bed or wanting to stop breastfeeding at night, babies don’t always follow the same schedule. Let’s take a look at signs that your baby isn’t ready to stop bottle feeding at night:

• Distress: If your baby becomes unusually upset during the night or struggles to settle without a feed, it may be a sign they’re not ready to give it up yet.
• Increased night waking: If weaning leads to more nighttime wake-ups, it could be a sign to take a step back and wait until they’re a little older.
• Daytime clinginess: A sudden increase in their need for daytime comfort could indicate that they’re not ready for weaning.

Weaning should feel gentle and gradual, aligning with your baby’s development. If it’s not going as planned, it’s okay to slow down your weaning process and wait until your little one gives you cues that it’s time. No two babies are alike, and even if weaning takes longer than you expected, you’ll get there in the end.

FAQs: How to night wean

When to start weaning off a bottle before bed?

It’s a good idea to start weaning off a bedtime bottle when your baby is around 3-6 months old.² Start by weaning them off feeds during the night, helping them get used to self-soothing and relying less on a bottle for a gentler transition. After weaning off a bottle before bed, you can begin navigating daytime weaning.

How can you combine night weaning and sleep training?

Night weaning and sleep training work well together. Use sleep training techniques, like gentle rocking and white noise, to help your baby get to sleep without a bottle. This makes weaning easier and nighttime calmer, as your baby learns to sleep for longer stretches by themselves.

What are the signs to start night weaning?

Your baby will give you cues that it’s time for night weaning and sleep training. These include sleeping for longer stretches, eating more during the day, and being less fussy when they wake during the night.

Learning how to wean night feedings takes patience and understanding. By listening to your baby’s cues and working to gradually decrease their night feeds, you can make this process easier for both of you. If you’re struggling with how to stop breastfeeding at night or wean your baby off their bottle, speak to your paediatrician for personalised advice.