I’m in the process of gently night weaning my toddler. This decision has been long coming and I really feel that we are both ready. I get a lot of questions about weaning, especially from parents of babies who are around 4-6 months old. Have you been wondering if it’s time to move away from feeding your baby to sleep? Keep reading to learn the ins and outs of weaning.

WHAT IS WEANING?

Weaning begins when you introduce solid foods to your baby around 6 months old.

Night weaning specifically refers to the process of transitioning away from giving your baby milk when they wake during the night. Night weaning is not the same as sleep training or cry it out. It is possible to gently night wean and continue to respond to your baby or toddler when they wake.

Even when your six month old begins experimenting with solids, they still need plenty of milk for nourishment!

WHEN SHOULD I NIGHT WEAN?

The choice to night wean is highly individual. The decision to night wean is entirely yours.

I do not recommend night weaning prior to 12 months. During this time, feeds are needed for your child's nutritional intake. Infants still get most of their calories from milk until around 12 months of age. Prior to 12 months infants are mostly experimenting with food, not necessarily taking in enough for it to be nutritionally sustainable. This is why night feeds might still be super important for your child until they begin to take in more calories from food.

After twelve months, it's up to you when you want to night wean. Here are some reasons families may choose to night wean:

Both parents want to soothe their baby to sleep at night.
Parents may believe weaning will improve their toddler's sleep
Feeling done being an all night boob buffet
The feeding parent needs to start a new medication that is incompatible with breastfeeding

There's no reason that you have to stop feeding to sleep by any specific age.

There is some evidence to suggest that weaning toddlers may lead to fewer night wakes. However, I only recommend this as an option if parents have addressed any possible red flags, improved their daily routine including food intake, access to natural lighting, etc, and feel comfortable with it.

If you have noticed any potential red flags, it’s best to consult with your pediatrician prior to making any changes to your baby or toddler’s sleep routine.

Night weaning and sleep training are not one in the same! You can gently night wean your toddler while continuing to support their sleep.

DO I HAVE TO NIGHT WEAN TO GET MY BABY STTN?

First, let’s debunk this whole “sleeping through the night” notion. Babies don’t actually sleep through the night. Research has shown that it’s perfectly normal for babies (0-3 years) to wake during the night (PMID: 21784676).

Each time a baby completes a sleep cycle, their brain does a quick check-in. If they're hungry, thirsty, uncomfortable, or simply need reassurance, they'll wake up and signal for help.

Weaning a baby before 12 months won't necessarily lead to longer stretches of sleep. In fact, it might make it harder for you to help them settle back down.

However, if you’re wanting to improve your 0-12 month old’s sleep, there are more effective ways to do so without resorting to night weaning.

If you're looking to improve your baby's sleep, consider these gentle, effective strategies instead:

Establish a Consistent Bedtime Routine: A calming routine can signal to your baby that it's time to wind down.
Optimize the Sleep Environment: Ensure a dark, quiet, and cool room.
Respond to Night Wakings Mindfully: Offer comfort and reassurance without reinforcing night feeds.
Prioritize Healthy Routines: This includes following your baby’s tired cues for naps and a balanced diet.

Download my free Guide to Foundations of Gentle Sleep to help your baby improve their sleep without night weaning.

WHAT IF I CHOOSE NOT TO NIGHT WEAN?

You may decide that parent-led weaning isn’t for you. That’s totally fine! You can always choose to let your child lead the way when it comes to transitioning away from feeding to sleep. If this is your choice, then you can just keep doing what you’re doing. If it ever stops working for you or your baby, you can revisit this at that point.

There are many reasons you may choose to continue feeding your sleep, some reasons parents may not want to night wean include:

Parents feel that continuing to feed their toddler to sleep continues to foster the secure attachment that they’ve worked so hard to facilitate
Parents feel that allowing their child to choose when to cease feeding to sleep gives them a sense of control and confidence
Parents want to ensure their child is getting nutrients essential for their wellbeing, and believe that their child is the best judge of that
Parents enjoy the connection they feel with their toddler during nursing sessions

Clearly, there are many positive reasons to continue feeding your toddler to sleep. If the positives still outweigh the negatives for you, then it’s likely not the right time for you to transition away from feeding to sleep.

Breastfeeding your toddler has many benefits, if feeding at night is working for both of you, then there is no reason to change what you’re doing!

I’VE DECIDED TO NIGHT WEAN MY 12+ MONTH OLD. NOW WHAT?

I suggest starting here: Prepare yourself emotionally for what is to come. Some say to go cold turkey, but I prefer to support families through a slow, gentle weaning process. Be aware that it may take a month to fully night wean.

While a gentle weaning process is possible, it's important to be prepared for big feelings. Your baby may express their feelings through tears and protests. Remember, this is a natural part of the transition.

To minimize stress for both you and your baby, it's best to choose a time when life is relatively stable. Avoid making significant changes, such as a parent returning to work or starting childcare, during the weaning process.

Ready to get started transitioning away from feeding to sleep? Book a sleep consultation to collaborate on a gentle sleep plan that is just right for your family.