Feeding On Demand At Night - How and When To Do It

In the early days and weeks of breastfeeding, you’ll get the advice that your baby needs to be fed on demand, both during the day and at night. 

But feeding at night when you’re sleep deprived and super tired can get a little exhausting and may make you question if you’re doing it right.

Here’s the lowdown on the logistics of feeding on demand at night so you can breastfeed for as long as you wish.

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Newborn Night Feeding Schedule

Typically, newborns need to breastfeed between 8-12 times in a 24 hour period, including at night. They’re growing quickly in their first few months of life, and their bellies are still small.

So small, frequent, round-the-clock feedings are to be expected, and are the healthiest choice for your baby.

I know it’s exhausting and demanding, but the process will become less frequent as time goes on.  

To make middle-of-the-night wakings less intrusive, have you tried one of these lamps lamps yet? They provide the perfect soft pink glow that helps improve sleep. 
 

When To Stop Feeding On Demand At Night

As your baby gets older, though, and your baby is growing and thriving, you may be wondering if you need to continue feeding on demand at night. At what point is feeding on demand at night still necessary, and at what point can you be a little more restrictive about it?

Feeding On Demand Should I Wake Baby?

First of all, if your baby is growing consistently, feeding frequently during the day, breastfeeding is going well, and you’re not encountering any milk supply issues, you don’t have to wake your baby to feed if they sleep through a feeding.

Some babies reach this milestone at 3-4 months of age, but many don’t get there until a few months later. Enjoy the extra rest while it lasts.

 If your baby is under 6-9 months, and is still waking to feed frequently, you should probably continue to feed on demand, even at night. The reason why is that your baby is still getting most or all of their calories from breast milk at that age, and if you restrict their nighttime feedings, you run the risk of them not getting enough to eat, and of your milk supply decreasing.

Night Weaning

 As your baby starts to eat solid foods, and gets closer to the 12 month mark, you can consider not feeding on demand at night anymore.

Things to consider before you night wean:

• If your baby is busy and distracted during the day and you stop feeding them at night, they may not get enough feedings in to keep your supply up and they may lose interest in breastfeeding

• As you decrease nighttime feedings, you may want to offer the breast more during the day to make up for the lost nighttime feedings

• Night weaning should be done as gently as possible, offering substitutions like hugs, cuddles, and sip of water

• Make sure to tank your baby up before they go to bed, so that they go to sleep with a full belly of milk, and offer the breast first thing in the morning

• If you become engorged at night, hand express just enough milk to soften your breast, but not to empty it; otherwise, you will continue producing more milk than you need at night

• Many babies are resistant to night weaning; getting a partner to take over nighttime duties can help, as your baby may demand to nurse if you are with them

Keep in mind that night weaning isn’t “all or nothing.”

You can decide that you don’t want to nurse your baby in the middle of the night anymore, but will do so in the early morning, before you are fully awake. 

This actually can be a helpful visual cue to your child. You can tell them that your milk goes to sleep when it’s dark out and wakes up when the light comes back.

It’s also important to understand that if night weaning doesn’t seem to work, and you want to continue feeding on demand, that’s okay too! 

Some moms don’t ever wean at night, and continue to feed on demand until their child naturally weans. 

Every mom has to make a decision that works for them and their family.

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Related Article:
How To Breastfeed at Night