Since the birth of the baby, many mothers have complained about not having a sound sleep. Especially in the first few months, the baby wakes up several times a night, crying hysterically every time. No matter how tired we are, we have to get up and feed the baby, so that he can stop crying.
In order to let the baby develop a good habit of sleeping, when should we start weaning at Night?
Some mothers insist on weaning naturally. Some mothers feel that the baby does not need to eat at night after 9 months. Frequent night milk will affect the baby’s sleep and growth and development! Experts believe that whether to wean night milk depends on the specific situation of the baby.
When to wean babies off milk at night?
- After the baby starts to eat supplementary food
Parents can wean babies off milk at night after the baby starts to eat supplementary food, but make sure to fill the baby’s stomach before going to bed and reduce the number of night milk gradually and finally wean completely.
When the baby is crying, we can distract the baby’s attention by a pacifier, toys and so on until the baby adapts.
- After the baby begins to grow teeth
Babies usually erupt their first small teeth around 6 months, which is a reminder to parents to quit night milk. Frequent night feeding will increase the risk of dental caries. Mothers must clean their babies’ teeth before going to bed. Even a single tooth should be cleaned to avoid dental caries.
- Babies can sleep on their own
Babies can sleep long at 4-6 months old, and when they wake up in the middle of the night, mothers can let them sleep on their own to develop good sleep habits gradually, which is both beneficial for babies and mothers.
There are some tips for wean babies off milk at night.
- Make the baby full before going to bed
Whether breastfed or formula-fed babies, it is very important to wean milk at night. Feeding and sleeping should be separated as far as possible, so that the baby can eat full and sleep well! Eating at night may let the baby can’t eat enough and sleep long.
- Lengthen the feeding interval
Mothers can lengthen the feeding interval gradually to make the baby sleep for a whole night. For example, adjust the feeding interval to 4 hours a time: 8:00 – 12:00 – 16:00 – 20:00 – 24:00 – 4:00. After adding supplementary food, combine the milk at 20:00 and 24:00 when the supplementary food can replace a meal of milk. Postpone the milk at 4:00 gradually after the baby is accustomed to the feeding interval.
- Reduce the amount of milk fed gradually
Reduce the amount of milk fed gradually to make the baby accustomed not to eat at night. For breastfeeding babies, mothers can gradually reduce the time of feeding. For bottle-feeding babies, mothers can gradually reduce the amount or content of milk. In addition, the warm water transition is also a good way!