Night Feeds & Baby Sleep
Does my baby still need night feeds?
As babies grow, parents often feel unsure about whether night feeds are still necessary. This post looks at hunger versus habit, developmental needs, and how to approach night feeds gently and responsively. Supporting sleep doesn’t mean ignoring your baby’s needs.
There comes a time in a little one’s life, whether they’re a few months old or a few years old, when it’s time to say goodbye to nighttime milk. The subject of older babies and night feeds can be a sensitive one for many people and I would always encourage parents to follow their instincts and values.
As a loving parent, you want to handle this stage thoughtfully. Follow the advice below to make things easier.
It’s okay to feed your baby during the night for as long as you want to, especially when you are breastfeeding, and you should never feel under pressure to stop if it is something that both you and your baby enjoy.
Feeding as a sleep association
Many babies can sleep through the night without a drink of milk by 6 months. One reason why lots of older babies continue to wake for night feeds is because they develop a milk/sleep association. This usually happens if they are fed to sleep at the start of the night, but not always. It can also happen simply because they expect the ritual of a feed during the night.
It’s understandable why babies develop a milk/sleep association, as drinking milk is incredibly comforting.
Do they need a full tummy to sleep through the night?
People often think that babies will sleep better when they have a tummy full of milk. When your baby was younger, if they were full, it meant that they would sleep for longer. So feeding them up or feeding them to sleep when they were little was and is the right and natural thing to do. Older babies, however don’t need to be full to the brim with milk to sleep through the night! They need to be well nourished & hydrated during the day and satisfied and not hungry when they go to sleep. Being “milk drunk” – like when they a newborn is not what they need now.
What they needed to sleep well then, and what they need now is different!
The 3 main things that determine the quality of their sleep when they are over 3 months are:
- The way that they fall asleep.
- Whether they are expecting any nighttime events to happen.
- Their physical comfort.
When you feel ready to drop your older baby’s night feeds
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- Wait until they are 7kg or more. At this weight, it is okay for their bodies to rest for up to 12 hours at night.
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- If you haven’t already done it, introduce a really good bedtime routine. This is just a familiar series of steps leading up to bedtime. Start your bedtime routine just before know your baby is tired and ready to sleep.
- Keep the bedroom light on for that bedtime feed, and don’t let your baby doze off. You may have to limit the duration if you’re breastfeeding or reduce the feed if they are on the bottle.
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- If you’re worried that your baby won’t be able to resist falling asleep on the bedtime feed, you can give a ‘split feed.’ This means giving some of the feed before their bath/wash and the remainder once they’re dressed and ready for bed. They’re less likely to fall asleep on the final part of the feed, as the duration will be shorter.
- Or you can keep things separate and give the final feed before you start the bedtime routine.
- Introduce a picture book or song after the feed and before they into the cot. This will help to discourage the milk/sleep association.
- Turn the light off now, put white noise on if you use it, and place your baby into the cot whilst they are clearly awake.
- Either stay with them, comforting them in the cot or pop in and out frequently but briefly to reassure them.
- Be patient and give them time. If your baby has been used to feeding to sleep, they may struggle at first with self-settling.
- There is no rush – it might take an hour or so but if you let them, they will eventually fall asleep without you feeding them.
- Try to remain calm and reassuring if your baby is upset. They are getting used to a change and although it won’t be easy for the first night or two, it will be worth it in the long run.
When babies develop a milk/sleep association, they often feed at night when they’re not hungry.
When they wake up during the night
- If your baby wakes in the night, go and check them but not give a feed.
- Comfort them in the cot as you did earlier if they are upset.
- They shouldn’t need a drink if they’ve drunk normally during the day. If you feel they need it, however, you can offer some water.
- Although you can drop the night feeds all at once in healthy babies over the age of six months; if you’re nervous about doing this, it is OK to do it slowly.
- You can gradually dilute night formula feeds and/or to cut the duration of night breastfeeds.
- Feeding at some wakings and not at others could confuse them.
- Try not to give an inconsistent message by withholding night feeds and then giving a dawn feed and putting them back to sleep.
- Just to say, that this is a guide. Each baby is different of course, and if you’re unsure, you should discuss your baby’s need for night feeds with your health visitor, doctor or other health care provider.
Dream feeds
“Dream feeds” are night feeds given to babies when they are asleep. They are helpful in the early weeks when your baby needs regular night feeds. Giving a dream feed at 10 or 11 pm as you are going to bed yourself can reassure you that they won’t be hungry later.
A dream feed might not be necessary after the first few months, but it can still be a helpful step when you’re working on dropping night feeds.
Because your baby is still mostly asleep during a dream feed, it doesn’t create a strong feed-to-sleep association. So if you’re trying to stop feeding them when they wake during the night, this type of feed won’t confuse the process.
It can also give you peace of mind — knowing they’ve had something to eat — and help you feel more confident about responding consistently during any night wakings.
You may especially need this reassurance if your baby is under about 8 months, is light for their age or is used to having lots of night feeds. Also, if your confidence has been shaken by early feeding difficulties.
Once your baby is happily sleeping through the night without waking for night feeds, you can drop the dream feed.
Doing it gradually
If you’re unsure about dropping your baby’s night feeds, you don’t have to stop all at once — you can do it gradually.
Instead of cutting out a full feed, try reducing the amount of milk you offer each time they wake. For example, if they usually have 120ml, reduce it to 100ml for a few nights, then 80ml, and so on. If they’re over 6 months, you can also dilute nightfeeds to gently wean them off.
Or if you’re breastfeeding, if your baby usually nurses for 10 minutes, try offering 8 minutes for a few nights, then 6, and so on.
At the same time, you can begin trying to settle them in other gentle ways first — with a cuddle, some water, or their dummy/pacifier if they use one.
This gradual approach is often more effective and less disruptive than dropping one full feed at a time — which can be a bit confusing.
Feeding your baby inconsistently at night — sometimes responding with a feed, and other times not — can become confusing as they grow.
This inconsistency isn’t an issue when they’re very young, but as their thinking develops, they start to notice patterns. If they’re fed some nights but not others, they may wake more frequently, just to check what response they’ll get!
To avoid this kind of confusion, it’s best to choose a consistent approach. You have a few options:
• Drop all night feeds at once, if you feel confident and your baby is ready.
• Continue to feed at each waking, but gradually reduce the amount of milk (or length of time if breastfeeding).
• Introduce a dream feed or two, to give you peace of mind they’re not hungry and allow you to offer a consistent response to their night waking.
💡 If you’re breastfeeding, please don’t worry — dropping night feeds doesn’t mean you have to stop breastfeeding altogether. By around 6 months, your milk supply is well-established and your body can continue making plenty of milk for daytime feeds.
Here’s a gentle guide to help you reduce night feeds gradually before stopping altogether:
Dropping your baby’s night feeds — when the time is right — can be the turning point that finally helps them sleep through the night.
Further help
If you need help with your baby’s sleep, either now or in the future, I am here to help you.
My books
My bestselling books give you the tools to help your baby and yourself get a good night’s sleep. They are full of expert, practical advice and case studies. Each book teaches you to create your baby or child’s personal sleep plan and is written in a clear and accessible style.
They are available in all formats from Amazon and other booksellers.
My self guided sleep plans
If you need help with their sleep, have a look at my sleep plans.
Expert help that you can access immediately, the sleep plans will transform your child’s [and your] sleep.
Whether want a clear structure and fast progress, or to make gradual changes over time, these plans support both approaches.
After following the sleep plans, there is the opportunity to purchase a follow up consultation if you need it.
My sleep plans are a mix of video, graphics and easy-to-read text. They are a great way to access my expert help – from your phone, tablet or laptop. They have no expiry date and are updated frequently. The Settled sleep plan is very comprehensive, easy to dip in and out of and is very empowering.
The Settled Mornings plan is concise and accessible – it takes around an hour to complete and it may be the best hour you’ve ever spent!
Both of the plans contain helpful schedules for day and night time sleep.
Private consultations
If you choose to book a one-to-one consultation with me, you will receive my expert advice and a gentle solution tailored to your child’s individual needs.
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