If your baby is 6+ months old, heavier than 15 lbs/6.8kg, eating solid foods, and your paediatrician is on board, it may be time to drop the last night feed.
This is a significant step as it means your baby will soon be sleeping 11-12 hours at night.
Many babies drop the last feed on their own, but once baby is old enough and heavy enough, it might be time to encourage them to do so.
Keeping a night time feed for babies after 6 months can actually cause a sleep regression. If you notice any of the following, then this is another sign that a night time feed needs to go:
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If your baby was just waking once to feed, but now starts waking more than once, especially if that waking lasts longer than 10-20 minutes.
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If your baby has a consistent nighttime waking outside of the recommended 12:00-5:00am feed window.
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Baby does not seem as hungry during the day or eating less than their average amount of breastmilk or formula.
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Or if 1 or more of these things occur for at least 2 weeks.
When you notice any of the above, or you think it’s time to pull the night feed, make sure everyone in the family is on board and ready to stay consistent. The more consistent and prepared you are, the quicker the night time wakings will be eliminated.
Make sure the following things are met:
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Baby is feeling well (not sick)
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Baby is in between growth spurts
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You are 100% prepared and ready to see this through
To drop the night feed, consider the following:
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Prepare Everyone: Make sure everyone in the family is ready and willing to stay consistent.
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Set a Start Date: Choose a date for when you want to start.
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Provide enough milk/solid food during the day time before you decide to start.
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Bedtime Routine: Dad or another caregiver can do the bedtime routine for the first 1-3 nights to help make the transition smoother.
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Night Waking: When baby wakes at night, wait 10 minutes before responding with your voice and touch. Soothe baby for 30 seconds to 1 minute and place them back in the crib awake. Repeat this process until baby falls back asleep.
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Consistency: Be consistent with your plan and only offer the next feed after 6:00am. Make sure baby stays awake during the feed and for their wake window.
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Brightly Lit Environment: Once baby is awake, change their diaper and go into a brightly lit environment before offering the feed.
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Commitment: Stay committed to the plan, and it will take a few nights for your baby’s metabolism and internal clock to adjust to not eating at night.
Just like during our sleep plan, remember to get baby out of his or her crib, change their diaper, go out into a brightly lit environment, and then offer the feed, ideally after 10-15 minutes like usual.
Ensure baby takes a full feed.
Ensure baby stays AWAKE during this feed, and for their appropriate wake window after their feed. It is very important that baby doesn’t fall asleep immediately after their feed, because in their mind, that just became a nighttime feed.
With consistency and commitment, soon enough your baby will be sleeping through the night.
As with any part of the sleep routine, be patient and calm. The hard work will soon pay off! Please schedule your free consultation to discuss this or any other issues you are experiencing with your baby.
