For many parents, night waking and feeding can feel like a never-ending cycle. It’s important to know that night waking is not only common, but normal for many babies, even up to 12 months of age. In this blog we will explore the reasons behind night waking, the science behind infant sleep patterns, and give you gentle strategies to help you through the process of night weaning when the time is right for your little one.
Why Does My Baby Wake During the Night?
It's important to remember that night waking is a completely natural and expected behaviour in babies. While some infants begin sleeping longer stretches by 6 months, many continue to wake at night for feeds, comfort, or other reasons well into their first year. This can become frustrating for parents but it's important to consider some of the common reasons that babies wake in the night:
Nutritional Needs Babies under 12 months still rely on night feeds to meet their nutritional needs, particularly breastfed infants. The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, followed by continued breastfeeding along with complementary foods until at least 12 months. This means that night waking for feeding is still biologically appropriate for many babies up to a year old.
Sleep Cycles and Developmental Milestones A baby’s sleep cycle is shorter than an adult’s, on average they are between 40-50 minutes, this means that they transition between lighter and deeper sleep more frequently than adults. During the lighter sleep stages (particularly in light non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep), babies are more prone to waking up. Additionally, developmental changes, such as learning to crawl or walk, can cause temporary disruptions to their sleep. Research shows that during periods of significant growth and development, babies may wake more frequently at night, not necessarily for hunger, but due to increased brain activity and restlessness. We've all heard of a baby that wants to practise it's new skill! Sleep regression, a term that is often used to describe disruptions during these developmental leaps, is a common reason for night waking between 6 and 12 months.
Comfort and Reassurance Night waking for comfort is often connected to a baby’s growing awareness of their surroundings and attachment to their caregiver. Between 8 and 10 months, many babies experience separation anxiety, this is a developmental stage where they become anxious when their caregiver is out of sight. This can lead to more frequent waking at night, as they seek reassurance and comfort from you as caregivers.
When Should You Consider Night Weaning?
While many parents are eager to move towards night weaning, understandably we all want better sleep! It’s important to ensure that both you and your baby are ready for the transition. According to research, it is not uncommon for babies to continue needing night feeds up to 12 months. However, night waking can sometimes become habitual rather than based on genuine hunger, especially as your baby starts eating more solids and getting their caloric needs met throughout the day.
Some signs that may suggest your baby is ready for night weaning include:
They are eating well during the day and gaining weight steadily.
Night feeds have become shorter or seem more like a comfort habit than a hunger need.
Your baby is older than 6 months and is eating a wide variety of solids.
Remember to always consult with your health visitor or GP before beginning the process, especially if you have concerns about your baby’s health or feeding patterns.
Two Gentle Night Weaning Strategies
When the time feels right for you and your baby, night weaning can be introduced gently to ensure the process is as smooth as possible. Here are two research-backed strategies that can help towards night weaning:
Gradually Reducing Night Feedings This approach involves slowly decreasing the duration or amount of milk your baby consumes during night feeds. If breastfeeding, you can shorten the feeding time by a few minutes each night. If bottle-feeding, gradually reduce the number of ounces. This process helps your baby adjust to fewer calories at night and encourages them to take in more during the day.
Research suggests that this gradual approach works best as it avoids a sudden shock to your baby’s system and reduces the risk of your baby feeling distressed or deprived at night.
Encouraging Full Feedings During the Day Another strategy to successfully reduce night feeds is to ensure that your baby is getting enough nutrition during the day. If your baby tends to snack during the day and compensate by waking for feeds at night, you can encourage them to take fuller, more satisfying feeds throughout the day. Offering a feed before bedtime can also help top them up before they go down for the night. A tip I often give parents is to feed somewhere quiet during the day so that your baby isn't distracted by what's going on around them.
This method ensures that your baby gets the nutrition they need and helps them naturally phase out night-time feeds. According to a study published in the Journal of Paediatric Health, babies who were provided with fuller feeds during the day were less likely to wake for feeds at night.
The Natural Progression of Night Waking
Night waking often follows a natural decline as babies grow older and their stomachs can hold more food. However, it’s crucial to remember that night waking is completely normal and, in many cases, developmental. The aim of night weaning isn’t necessarily to eliminate all night waking, but to help babies who no longer need night feeds transition to more consolidated sleep.
If your baby is waking up and isn’t hungry but still needs comfort, providing reassurance without feeding can be helpful. Over time, this encourages your baby to rely less on feeding for comfort and to sleep for longer stretches.
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