If your baby is 6 months or older and her middle-of-the-night feedings are causing you to feel fatigued all of the time, it may be time to consider a schedule change. BabyCenter notes that many babies who are 6 months or older can sleep for a six-hour stretch without needing to eat. Your baby, however, may think she needs to eat out of habit. Teaching your child to sleep and break this habit is a process that causes frustration for many parents. Take your time and approach the process of eliminating the midnight feeding slowly to decrease stress on both sides.
Step 1
Decrease your baby's midnight feeding amount by 1 to 2 oz. per night, or by 1 to 2 minutes if you are breastfeeding. Gradually decreasing the midnight feeding until it is completely eliminated will help your baby adjust more easily.
Step 2
Comfort your baby when she wakes at midnight by softly patting her back or offering a pacifier or favorite blanket. Try to avoid picking her up unless absolutely necessary. The goal is to help her to learn to go back to sleep without the feeding.
Step 3
Ask your spouse or partner to go in to comfort the baby when he wakes. If your child is used to you feeding him in the middle of the night, having the other parent go in may help him go back to sleep without the feeding.
Step 4
Move your baby's crib if it is close to your bed. Sometimes babies can smell or sense you if they sleep nearby, which can wake them up for feedings. If you're not comfortable moving the baby to her own room, moving her to the other side of your bedroom or an adjacent room can provide the space needed to promote a good night's rest.
Step 5
Play soothing music to help your child fall back to sleep in the absence of the midnight feeding. A white noise machine is also helpful for some babies.
Tips and Warnings
- Talk to your pediatrician regarding nutrition and your baby's appropriate caloric intake to make sure that it is safe to eliminate the midnight feeding. Some babies require more calories than other babies, especially those who were born prematurely.
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