If you’ve ever found yourself bleary-eyed at 3 a.m., cradling your baby and wondering if you’ll ever sleep through the night again, you’re not alone. Night feeds can feel like a rite of passage for new parents, but when do they end? And how do you end them without a full-blown meltdown (from you or your baby)? Let’s dive into this tricky topic and help you understand the path to uninterrupted sleep—for everyone.

Night Feeds: Are They Normal?

 Yes! Night feeds are completely normal in the early days. Newborns have tiny tummies, and their rapid growth means they need frequent feeds, day and night. Feeding isn’t just about nutrition either; it’s often a soothing mechanism that helps babies settle back to sleep.

But here’s the good news: It’s also normal for babies to sleep through the night once they’re developmentally ready. If a full night of sleep is a goal for your family, know that it’s absolutely achievable with the right approach. And if you’re content with night feeds for now, that’s okay too. Every family’s journey is different.

Beyond the Newborn Night Feeds

 In the newborn phase, waking 1-3 times a night to eat is par for the course. Their stomachs are small, their growth is exponential, and their sleep patterns are still developing. But as your baby grows, those needs begin to shift.

Between 3-12 months, many babies are capable of consolidating their night sleep and reducing the frequency of feeds. Some will naturally drop night feeds as they start eating solids and their caloric intake increases during the day. Others might still wake frequently, often for reasons that have little to do with hunger.

Why Your Baby is STILL Waking for Night Feeds

Here’s where things get interesting. If your baby is past the age where night feeds are nutritionally necessary but still waking, it’s often because they’ve developed a sleep association. In simple terms: They’ve learned that feeding is part of their sleep routine.

Research shows that offering a feed at every wake-up can reinforce this cycle. Your baby isn’t necessarily waking because they’re hungry; they’re waking because they expect the feed to help them fall back asleep. It’s a habit—one that can be gently reshaped.

What is Reverse Cycling?

Reverse cycling happens when your baby consumes more calories at night than during the day. It’s like they’ve decided that nighttime is their personal all-you-can-eat buffet. This can make it incredibly challenging to drop night feeds because they’re relying on those nighttime calories.

To break the cycle, you’ll need to gradually increase daytime feeds while slowly reducing the nighttime ones. This ensures your baby’s nutritional needs are still met while encouraging their body to adapt to getting most of their calories during the day.

Why You Can’t Just Drop All Night Feeds at Once

 While it might be tempting to go cold turkey and cut out all night feeds in one go, this approach can backfire—big time. Here’s why:

1. Milk Supply: If you’re breastfeeding, your supply adjusts to demand. Dropping night feeds abruptly can lead to engorgement or even a dip in overall milk supply.
2. Baby’s Adjustment: Your baby’s stomach needs time to adapt to taking in more calories during the day. Cutting off night feeds without this adjustment can leave them hungry and cranky.

A gradual approach is kinder to both you and your baby. It allows you to increase daytime feeds incrementally while slowly phasing out the nighttime ones.

The Curse of the Quiet House 

There’s something uniquely challenging about sleep training at night. During the day, there’s background noise, sunlight, and activity to distract you. At night, it’s just you, your baby, and the sound of their cries echoing through the quiet house.

This heightened intensity can test anyone’s patience—especially when you’re sleep-deprived. It’s easy to give in, which often means inconsistent responses. And inconsistency? That’s kryptonite for sleep training. It’s why so many parents struggle to break the cycle of night feeds on their own.

What’s Inside My Sleeping Through the Night Master Class

If this all feels overwhelming, don’t worry. My Sleeping Through the Night Master Class is here to guide you every step of the way. Inside, you’ll find:

• Science-backed strategies to gently reduce and eliminate night feeds.
• Step-by-step plans tailored to your baby’s age and temperament.
• Tips for creating strong sleep associations that don’t rely on feeding.
• Practical advice for overcoming challenges like reverse cycling.
• Support for managing nighttime emotions (yours and your baby’s!).
  

This class is designed to take the guesswork out of sleep training, giving you the tools and confidence to help your baby sleep soundly—and give yourself the gift of uninterrupted sleep.

Ready for a Full Night’s Sleep?

 Dropping night feeds doesn’t have to be a battle. With the right approach, you can gently transition your baby to sleeping through the night while meeting their needs and preserving your sanity. If you’re ready to take the next step, join my Sleeping Through the Night Master Class today. Let’s get you back to a full night’s sleep—you’ve earned it!