What Is Night Weaning, Really?
Night weaning means gradually reducing or stopping breastfeeds during the nighttime hours. It doesn’t mean you’re done breastfeeding altogether—it just means you’re setting some boundaries around when those feeds happen. For many families, night weaning starts somewhere between 12 and 18 months, depending on your baby’s needs and your own capacity to keep up with night feeds.
Breast milk is easier to digest than formula, so breastfed babies often get hungry and wake more frequently during the night. Most babies will continue to nurse at least once during the night through their first year. It’s totally normal, but it can also be incredibly tiring.
When Is the Right Time to Start Night Weaning?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but here are some signs that it might be time:
- Your baby is 12 months or older and eating solids well during the day
- They wake frequently to nurse but take only a few sips before dozing off
- You’re feeling physically or emotionally drained by night feedings
- You’re ready for more uninterrupted sleep (and that’s valid!)
If your baby is younger than 12 months, it’s worth talking to your pediatrician or a lactation consultant before starting. Babies under 12 months often still need calories overnight, especially if they’re not eating a lot during the day or are going through a growth spurt.
Will Night Weaning Help My Baby Sleep Better?
Maybe—but not always. It’s a common myth that if you stop night feeds, your baby will magically sleep through the night. The truth is, some babies continue to wake even after they’re no longer nursing at night. That’s because waking isn’t always about food. Sometimes it’s about comfort, teething, separation anxiety, or just how your baby sleeps.
So yes, night weaning might lead to longer stretches of sleep. But it’s not a guarantee, and that’s OK. The goal here is not perfection—it’s better sleep and better rhythm for your family.
Nighttime Breastfeeding Tips
Even if you’re not ready to night wean, there are ways to make night feeds less exhausting:
- Co-sleeping (safely): Nursing while lying down in bed can help you doze off while feeding. As your baby grows, they might even latch on their own.
- Keep the lights low: A soft nightlight or no light at all helps keep your baby sleepy. Turning on a bright light sends a wake-up signal.
- Swaddling: Until about 2–3 months, swaddling can help babies sleep longer stretches. You can even nurse while they’re swaddled to help them stay calm or drift back to sleep.
- Dream feeds: Try nursing your baby just before they normally wake up, while they’re still sleepy. This might help them (and you) sleep through their usual wake window.
- Stay calm and patient: Night feeds increase during teething, illness, and growth spurts. It’s tough, but temporary.
How to Start Night Weaning: A Step-by-Step Approach
Gentle Weaning Strategies
- Tank Up During the Day: Make sure your baby is getting plenty of milk and solids during daylight hours. Offer extra nursing sessions in the evening if needed.
- Drop One Feed at a Time: Start with the feed that feels most disruptive—usually the early night one. Offer comfort instead of milk.
- Stay Consistent, But Be Flexible: If your baby is sick, teething, or struggling, pause and try again later. You’re not losing progress.
- Get Support: If possible, ask your partner to take over some wake-ups. A baby who expects milk from mom might settle more easily with someone else.
- Talk to Your Toddler: For older babies, you can explain that milk is for daytime. Use a phrase like, “Boobies are sleeping. Milk comes back in the morning.”
What About My Milk Supply?
Cutting out night feeds can lead to a dip in supply, especially if your baby is younger or you’re not nursing as often during the day. If you notice your breasts feeling uncomfortably full at night, try hand expressing or pumping a little to ease discomfort—but not so much that you tell your body to keep making the same amount.
Over time, your body will adjust. Many moms find that once their babies are eating more during the day and nursing more efficiently, supply holds steady even without night feeds.
Extra Things to Keep in Mind
- Make sure your baby’s room is a comfortable temperature—not too hot or cold.
- Growth spurts, colds, and teething can make night weaning harder. Be kind to yourself and your baby.
- If your baby wakes frequently even after night feeds have ended, check for other causes like reflux, ear infections, or food sensitivities.
- Avoid introducing solids before 6 months to prevent digestive issues, allergies, and potential choking hazards.
- Give extra love and cuddles during the day—many babies wake at night just to feel close.
The Bottom Line
Night weaning isn’t about doing things “by the book.” It’s about finding a balance. You’ve got options—and you’ve got this.
Talk to an IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant) or check in with your pediatrician to create a plan that suits your family best.
Resources
- Find a breastfeeding support group near you.
- Milkology Breastfeeding Class – Affordable, video-based online course to help you master breastfeeding at your own pace
References
- Brown, A. & Harries, V. (2015). Infant sleep and night feeding patterns during later infancy. Breastfeeding Medicine, 10(5), 222‑227.
- Raising Children Network. (2024, July). Night weaning: When and how to stop night feeds.
- Douglas, P. (2024, June). Would night weaning help your breastfed baby sleep better? Neuroprotective Developmental Care (NDC) Institute.
