There are many reasons why parents decide to stop breastfeeding at night. Some mothers have to do this for medical reasons, or because they want their baby to sleep through the night without interruption. Whatever your motivation, it is not easy to get your baby used to "missing" the night feed, neither for you nor for him. It is important to be patient and to remember that breastfeeding is not only a matter of nutrition, but also a source of comfort for the baby.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Changing the Day Routine
Step 1. Do some research and ask other women for advice
Many mothers begin eliminating the night feed when their baby reaches six months of age, but some begin earlier or later for a variety of reasons. Read some parenting manuals, talk to your pediatrician, do some online research, and discuss this topic with friends and family. Every baby is different, and there are many techniques for stopping night-time breastfeeding. This way you will have a better idea of what awaits you!
Step 2. Feed your baby more during the day
To wean him from the night feed without failing his nutritional needs, let him eat more during the day. If you typically breastfeed every 3 hours, increase the frequency to one feed every 2 hours. This way your baby will have a "full belly" during the day and feel less hungry at night.
Step 3. Reduce distractions during daytime feedings
Some babies need to be fed a lot at night because they get too distracted during feeding times during the day, so they can't get enough milk. Studies have shown that babies over 6 months of age consume 25% of their daily milk requirement during the dark hours because they are too out of focus during the day's meals. Here are some tips to prevent this from happening:
- Feed the baby in a quiet, dark room with the door closed and the blinds down.
- If you have older children or pets, make sure they can't enter the room while feeding.
- Feed the baby while you are lying down; this position is more relaxing for both of us.
- You can breastfeed them silently or by talking to them in a calm, soothing voice.
Step 4. Watch for his hunger cues
To increase the number of feedings during the day, you need to monitor every gesture or behavior that indicates that the baby is hungry. Many breastfeeding experts say that a first detachment from the breast does not mean that the baby has finished eating. Instead of assuming he is full, try bringing him back to the breast a few more times to make sure he doesn't want to eat anymore.
Step 5. Introduce solid foods
It is usually recommended to start weaning with solid foods around the sixth month of life, which often also coincides with the period when mothers begin to stop breastfeeding at night. Depending on your baby's age, you can try replacing breast milk with a bottle-fed formula or solid food. Avoid doing this in the evening, however, as digesting products other than breast milk causes gas and stomach pain - disorders that prevent the baby from sleeping through the night.
Step 6. Increase the frequency of feedings in the next few hours at bedtime
In the early hours of the evening she "feeds" the baby by breastfeeding him every hour or two. This way he will have a belly full of milk, nutrients and he will feel sleepy. It would also be better to offer him only one breast during these feedings, so that he has a higher-fat milk that will make him feel fuller for longer.
Part 2 of 3: Eliminate Night Feeding
Step 1. Get your baby ready for the night early
It might seem counterintuitive, but many babies have a hard time falling asleep when they are too tired. Watch for signs of sleepiness in your baby and start preparing him for bed early. Dress him in comfortable pajamas so he won't be too hot or too cold, change his nappy by putting on a high-absorbency one for the night. Here are some of the signs that your baby is sleepy:
- Loss of normal coordination
- Yawns;
- He rubs his nose or eyes;
- He pulls his ears or hair;
- He complains and whimpers.
Step 2. Feed him one last time before going to bed
This is also called "good night feeding"; offer your breast before bed, even if the baby is already asleep. You should generally do this sometime between getting ready for bed and when he is sound asleep and you are putting him on the bed. If you breastfeed your baby one last time while he is still in your arms or in the sling, you can be sure his stomach is full and you will be able to sleep for longer before he wakes up.
Step 3. Get your child used to other sources of comfort during the night
The baby does not need the midnight feed, especially if you have introduced some solid food into his feeding. In reality he wants the feed for comfort; he wants to be picked up and rocked to go back to sleep much more than he wants to eat. For this reason it is worth finding alternative ways to calm him down:
- If you have a partner, get them involved in this nighttime routine. If the baby is put to bed by another person, he will learn to associate comfort and sleep with someone else, as well as with you.
- Give him a bottle with a few milliliters of water.
- Offer him the pacifier. Sucking is extremely calming for babies, even if they don't have milk to drink.
- Give him some object that calms him down, like a teddy bear.
Step 4. Make sure your breasts are unavailable
When your baby wakes up in the middle of the night looking for some cuddles, it's important to discourage him from feeding thanks to your clothes as well. Cover up and wear clothes that make it impossible for him to access your breasts while you rock him. If he is unable to find the nipple quickly, in most cases he will just fall back asleep.
Step 5. Rearrange the arrangement for the night
Sometimes the distance between mother and child alters the sleep-wake rhythm. If your baby is having trouble losing the night's feed despite all your attempts, try tweaking the way you sleep until you find one that works for both of you.
- Co-sleeping (or shared sleep) for the whole night means that the baby sleeps next to you in your bed.
- With partial co-sleeping, the child sleeps in his crib for the first part of the night, until he wakes up, and then goes to his parents' bed.
- If you are not comfortable sleeping with your baby or you have tried co-sleeping with no results, the best solution remains that of separate beds. Try sleeping with your baby on a mat on the floor, or move the crib closer to your bed and leave one side down.
Step 6. Be patient
You must remember that being able to sleep through the night is a goal that every child achieves at their own pace. Eliminating the night's feed takes time and very much patience. Stick to the daily and night routines you've set up as much as possible and you'll get results in the end!
Part 3 of 3: Taking care of yourself
Step 1. Be prepared to experience many confusing emotions when you first attempt to wean your baby from midnight breastfeeding
You are leaving behind a phase in your life and that of your child, so it is normal for you to feel sad. Additionally, you may also feel guilty, watching the baby's discomfort as he gets used to not eating anymore during the night and attributing this distress to your decision. Know that every now and then you will feel frustrated, angry and sad as the changes take place.
Step 2. Massage the breasts to prevent the milk ducts from becoming clogged
As you gradually begin to reduce the number of feedings, you can prevent milk clots from forming in the ducts by gently massaging your breasts. Try to scrub the entire area of your breasts carefully once a day, using slow, circular motions. If you see or feel lumps, or some points are particularly painful, the ducts may be blocked: in this case you should contact your doctor.
Step 3. Pump out the milk with the breast pump overnight
If you notice that you are about to develop breast engorgement, or if you have heavy discharge from your nipples during the night, try to express the milk that is not consumed by night feedings. Remember to remove only enough to find relief from discomfort; if you overdo it, you stimulate the body to produce even more to compensate.
Step 4. Dress comfortably
Sleep in a supportive bra that fits well to avoid discomfort. Don't wear underwire ones when you go to bed, but make sure the model you choose offers adequate support for your breasts. If nocturnal milk leaks become a problem, put absorbent padding in the cups.
Step 5. Sleep when you can
Taking the baby out of the night helps him sleep more and you too can take advantage of it to get more rest. This is an important factor for both, as some studies have linked postnatal depression to sleep deprivation. In order for everyone to get as much sleep as possible, go to bed as soon as the baby is asleep and enjoy these long moments of rest!
Warnings
- Contact your doctor if a blocked milk duct turns red or gets warm, as there may be an infection. Mastitis, which is breast infection, must be treated promptly, otherwise it can become very painful, cause difficulties while breastfeeding, and lead to other complications.
- While it is normal to feel a little sad or melancholy when weaning your baby and when you stop breastfeeding, it is important to discuss with a professional whether these feelings escalate to depression or last longer than a week. Let your doctor consider further checks to treat depression.
