Adjusting your little one’s nighttime feeding schedule as they grow will support healthier sleep patterns for caregivers and baby alike. While you may want to respond to every nighttime wake-up with a bottle, spacing out feeds allows parents to get much-needed rest and teaches baby to self-soothe and, eventually, sleep through the night.

Why personalized advice matters

The number of nighttime feedings your baby needs will vary according to their age, weight, overall health, and developmental stage. For that reason, it’s essential to consult your pediatrician before dropping overnight feeds. They can provide recommendations tailored to baby’s needs and ensure that any adjustments to their feeding schedule support their growth and well-being.

Take a gradual approach

Gradually weaning baby off of nighttime feeds is a gentle and effective way to teach them to fall back asleep without a bottle. You’ll want to slowly reduce the amount of milk in their bottle or reduce the amount of breastfeeding time, ultimately making nighttime feeds less appealing and encouraging baby to find comfort in other ways.

1. Prepare to wean

Introducing alternative comfort strategies before you start the weaning process will ease the transition for your little one.

  • Use comfort objects: Encourage baby to choose a comfort object, like a soft toy, blanket, or special pillow. Allow them to pick something they’re drawn to and find comforting, so long as it’s safe for their age.

  • Introduce soothing words: Use reassuring phrases like “It’s okay, go back to sleep” to comfort your little one when they wake up at night. Repeating the same phrases consistently can help them associate bedtime with security and safety.

  • Stick to an age-appropriate bedtime routine: Establish a calming routine that involves the comfort object. This can look like your little one holding their blanket while listening to a bedtime story or cuddling with a soft toy as they settle into bed.

  • Create a soothing environment: A comfortable bed, minimal noise and light interference, and cooler temperatures contribute to a relaxing sleep environment.

2. Assess your little one’s current routine

Begin by assessing your little one’s current nighttime feeding routine, paying attention to how often they wake up, at what time(s), and how much they consume at night. You’ll use this to develop a structured plan for gradually reducing their milk volume or time spent breastfeeding.

3. Implement your weaning strategy

There are two ways you can approach this: by increasing the time between feedings and reducing their milk intake. You can apply them one at a time or simultaneously, depending on what your little one responds best to.


To increase the time between feedings, use your current shortest time between feedings as the starting point and extend that window by 30 minutes over the course of several nights. For example, if feedings typically occur every 1–3 hours, start with the one hour gap and stretch it to 1.5 hours. A gradual change will allow baby to adjust without creating stress.

To reduce baby’s milk intake, cut their volume by 1oz, or about 30ml. Offer this smaller amount for a few nights to allow them to get used to the change before reducing the volume again. If you’re breastfeeding, gradually decrease the duration of feeds. Once active sucking slows down, you’ll also want to detach them from the breast to prevent them from using feeding as a means of comfort beyond their nutritional needs.

4: Continue with progressive reduction

After your initial reduction in milk volume or feeding duration, continue to gradually reduce the ounces of milk or time feeding every few nights. Always monitor your child’s response to these changes and continue to offer alternative comfort strategies.

Apply patience and consistency

As with any change to baby’s routine, consistency is key. Stick to your plan each night, helping your little one to adjust to their new routine by offering alternative comfort methods. Weaning can take several weeks, depending on your child’s attachment to nighttime feeds. Some may adapt quickly, while others may need even more time! In either case, taking a gradual approach guides your child toward healthier sleep habits and makes nights more restful for the whole family.