How to Drop the Last Night Feed — and Help Your Baby (and You!) Sleep Through the Night
Ah, the dream of a full night’s sleep — it feels almost mythical when you’re deep in those early baby months, doesn’t it? If your little one is around six months or older, you might be closer than you think to finally sleeping through the night. One of the biggest milestones in your baby’s sleep journey is dropping that last nighttime feed — the moment they no longer need milk to drift back to sleep.
At Sweet Dreams Consulting, we help tired parents navigate these milestones with confidence, compassion, and calm consistency. Because every family deserves restful nights — and brighter mornings.
When It’s Time to Drop the Night Feed
Every baby is different, but here are a few key signs that your little one might be ready to say goodbye to that last feed:
- Baby is 6+ months old (and definitely by 9 months)
- Weighs over 15 pounds
- Has started eating solid foods
- Your paediatrician gives the green light
Many babies naturally grow out of night feeds, but if your baby is still waking for milk out of habit — rather than hunger — it might be time to gently guide them toward sleeping through. Often, these wakings are more about comfort or sleep association than actual hunger and helping your baby self-settle can make all the difference.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that by 6 months, most healthy babies can sleep for at least 6–8 hours without needing to feed.
Is That Night Feed Causing Sleep Regression?
It might sound surprising but keeping that final feed for too long can actually disrupt sleep instead of helping it. Look out for these clues:
- Baby starts waking more than once a night, or staying awake longer than 20 minutes
- Regular wakings outside the midnight–5 a.m. window
- Less interest in daytime feeds or solids
- These patterns last two weeks or more
If you’re nodding along, you’re not alone — and it’s a strong sign that your little one is ready to move on from nighttime feeds.
Before You Begin: Set Yourself (and Baby) Up for Success
Before making any changes, make sure:
- Baby is feeling well and not in a growth spurt
- You’re confident and ready to stay consistent
- Everyone at home is on board
Consistency — and your calm confidence — are everything. Babies sense when you’re sure of your plan, and it helps them feel secure.
How to Gently Drop the Nighttime Feed
When you’re ready, here’s how to help your baby transition smoothly:
- Pick your start date and stick with it — the commitment helps!
- Offer a full bedtime feed. Try a “top-off” bottle after nursing to make sure baby’s tummy is full.
- Let another caregiver handle bedtime for the first few nights, if possible — it can help reduce feeding cues.
- When baby wakes overnight:
- Wait 10 minutes before responding (set a timer to help). Don’t rush into their room and react, hold back outside the door! They may just want to wriggle and squiggle for a bit and then re-settle all by themselves.
- Offer brief soothing, if necessary (30–60 seconds), then leave the room again.
- Repeat every 10–15 minutes until the baby drifts back to sleep.
- Only offer baby’s next feed after 6:00 a.m., and make it feel completely different from a night feed:
- Turn on the lights
- Change baby’s nappy
- Wait 10–15 minutes before feeding
- Keep baby awake during and after the feed
Within a few nights, most babies begin to adjust. For some, it can take a couple of weeks — but consistency really does pay off. Before long, those middle-of-the-night wakeups will be a distant memory.
Final Thoughts: You’ve Got This!
Dropping the nighttime feed is a big step — not just for your baby, but for you too. It marks the start of longer stretches of rest, more energy, and more confidence in your little one’s ability to sleep independently.
At Sweet Dreams, we know every baby (and parent) is unique. That’s why our personalised sleep coaching plans are designed to meet your family where you are — with gentle, responsive methods that actually work. You don’t have to figure this out alone.
Let’s make sleepless nights a thing of the past — together.
Visit sweetdreams.consulting today to book your free sleep consultation, and take your first step toward peaceful, restorative nights for your whole family.
