Night Weaning

Gradual reduction of nighttime feeds for infants who no longer require them for nutrition.

Physiological Readiness

By 6 months, most infants can obtain sufficient calories during daytime hours. Night feeding often persists due to learned associations rather than nutritional need.

Breast milk production adapts: Breasts can reduce nighttime milk supply whilst maintaining daytime production when night feeds decrease gradually.

The "Nightly Holiday Meal" Problem

Infants consuming large volumes at night (particularly multiple feeds) develop expectation of this intake. Abrupt withdrawal typically results in significant protest.

Common pattern:

• 3–4 nighttime feeds of 120–180ml each
• Reduced daytime appetite
• Strong feed-sleep association

Night Weaning Methods

Gradual Reduction

1. Identify target feed — Start with earliest night feed (e.g., 2:00)
2. Reduce volume — Decrease by 30ml every 3 nights (bottle) or reduce nursing duration by 2 minutes
3. Substitute comfort — Brief verbal reassurance, back patting (not picking up)
4. Progress sequentially — Move to next feed only after first is eliminated

The "Owie!" Technique (bed-sharing)

For breastfeeding mothers who bed-share:

1. Establish "owie" signal — Tell baby "Mummy's milk has an owie tonight"
2. Offer alternative — Father/partner provides comfort instead
3. Maintain consistency — Use same phrase and response pattern
4. Duration — Typically 3–7 nights before new pattern established

Maintaining Milk Supply During Night Weaning

Express minimal amounts only:

• 30–60ml at bedtime
• 30–60ml if waking with full breasts
• Avoid full expression (signals continued demand)

Bed-Sharing Considerations

Dr. Harriet Hiscock (Melbourne sleep researcher) notes parents who bed-share and breastfeed report highest rates of night waking. Proximity to breast increases infant waking frequency.

Strategy: Maintain bed-sharing whilst limiting nursing through partner-led comforting during target hours.

Warning Signs

Consult healthcare provider if:

• Weight gain inadequate (<140g/week under 6 months)
• Fewer than 6 wet nappies in 24 hours
• Persistent distress beyond 2 weeks of consistent approach
• Regression after illness or stress continues >5 days

Prerequisites for Success

Night weaning typically fails when:

• Strong feed-to-sleep association remains at bedtime
• Infant cannot self-settle at sleep onset
• Approach inconsistent between parents/nights

Address bedtime feeding pattern first before attempting night wean.

See also: [[Sleep Associations]], [[Self-Settling]], [[Breast Milk Supply]], [[Infant Feeding Schedule]], [[Comfort Sucking]]