How to Wean Your Baby from Night Feedings

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Recommended: Compare and contrast breast and bottle feeding

Mothers sometimes wonder at what age their babies are ready to eat less at night or night weaning. There is no accurate answer because some babies aged four to six months eat enough during the day to last them several hours in the night while other older babies may continue to feed at night.
When to Night Wean Your Baby
Some experts believe that night weaning may begin when a baby is about four to six months old. However, you may notice that even if a baby is not hungry at night she may continue waking up and wanting to feed. This may be due to her habit of feeding several times in the night, and it may take some time for you to change this behavior.
This routine can cause chronic sleep deprivation for mothers, who may decide it is best to night wean their babies. Even if other mothers continue to nurse or bottle-feed their babies at night, babies usually give up feeding at night and sleep longer hours on their own.
It is also advisable to talk to pediatrician to help you decide if you can night wean your baby based on her growth and your own situation.

Is Night Weaning Good or Bad?
Child health experts have different views on night weaning. Richard Ferber, pediatrician and author of Solve Your Child's Sleep Problems, says that unnecessary feedings at night may cause some sleep problems. He believes that a baby may wake up several times at night to eat, which can lead to wet diapers or digestion problems. These may cause waking up several times and lead to vicious cycles.
On the other hand, Dr William Sears writes that night feedings strengthen the bond between child and parent. He advises that parents should not to rush night weaning as long as feedings are not too disruptive. His book, The Baby Sleep Book, offers strategies to make night feeding easier.
The decision to night wean must be considered based on what is good for the family, as with other parenting decisions.
How to Night Wean Your Baby?
Here are some practical tips to night wean your baby:
Start the night weaning process gradually by nursing your baby for shorter periods or by giving her smaller amounts of bottled milk at night. Prolong intervals between her feedings by comforting the baby with gentle pats until asleep.
Give your growing baby enough to eat during the day especially as she becomes more active.

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