Baby Feeding and Night Waking

While newborns may wake in the middle of the night because they need food, an older baby who still awakens for feedings has formed a habit. One solution is to change the habit slowly, over a series of nights.

Most babies will drink 8 ounces in one sitting. Start by giving your baby 1 less ounce per bottle (so approximately 7 ounces) at nighttime. The next week, give 6 ounces. Continue to decrease the amount each week or twice a week until there is no milk in the bottle. Then, offer water instead of nothing. The child will soon get out of the habit and sleep well through the night.

The same idea can also work for breastfed babies. Slowly decrease the amount of time that you are feeding the baby each night. By the end of the third or fourth week, feedings should last no more than a few minutes. After that, give the baby water in a bottle and eventually, the baby will probably not bother to wake up.

Finally, always remember to place your baby in the bed awake, but drowsy. It is important for babies to learn to settle themselves and go to sleep without baby feeding or rocking.