How long does the baby eat at night?

We are trying to answer the common question of how long it is considered normal for a baby to wake up at night to eat. Here, at the beginning of our article, we would like to mention that every child develops at a different pace, and it is not possible to determine a specific age until which a baby should eat at night. The answer is quite simple, but we have also provided some additional information that fits the topic.

The little one wakes up at night when he is hungry. This usually happens until he is about 1.5 years old, and he wakes up at least once. In particularly hot weather, the reason for the awakening may be thirst. He may also wake up when changing certain stages of sleep. The baby sometimes tries to make sure that his mother is nearby and safe with short awakenings. By breastfeeding on demand, the mother can more easily recognize when her child is hungry. 

What does breastfeeding on demand mean?

A form of care in which the mother breastfeeds her baby according to the child's needs, rather than according to some external regularity. The baby can be put to the breast at any signal, regardless of when he last ate. The mother can also initiate breastfeeding if her breasts are full, so her needs can also be met. Exclusive breastfeeding is supported, if the baby does not receive a pacifier or bottle, he can experience his need to suck on his mother's breast.

Breastfeeding on demand follows the physiological needs of the child. It is an innate need, since he sucks his finger even in the fetal period. However, sucking has not only a nutritional function, it is also the primary calming mechanism of the infant, it is also called comfort sucking . So it is possible that the baby actually wants to get the feeling itself when breastfeeding. Children of primitive peoples can breastfeed without restrictions, carried on their mother's upper body, their mother is available to them, they breastfeed up to 80-100 times in a day. 

Source: MAM, Reinhold Kerbl , Breastfeeding Portal

Daily routine with breastfeeding on demand?

The arrival of a baby fundamentally changes the usual lifestyle. It can be scary for mothers to think that breastfeeding their baby on demand will put an even greater burden on their shoulders. However, by adapting to the baby's needs and moving with him, it is easier to create the desired daily routine because it is easier to adapt to the baby than to set him to a specific routine. The daily routine may actually work well from time to time, but let's face it, with a baby, changes are frequent, life is unpredictable.

What can influence the need to breastfeed at night?

Newborns have stomachs the size of a cherry and digest quickly, so they can be hungry very often, every 1.5-2 hours, even at night. Premature babies also eat frequently at night, as they need to catch up on their weight loss. In the first few weeks, it often happens that the baby cannot yet distinguish between day and night, which is why he sleeps more during the day and stays up for a long time at night.

Breastfeeding on demand promotes milk production in the amount that is appropriate for the baby's needs. This can be a great help during growth spurts , when the baby temporarily requires more milk. During these days, he asks to eat more often, the breast is exposed to more stimuli, so he builds up the amount of milk according to his own needs. To do this, it is important that his increased breastfeeding demand is always met, without unnecessary formula supplementation. Growth spurts can be experienced around the ages of 10 days, 3 weeks, 6 weeks and 3 months.

The need for nighttime breastfeeding may increase with development. A 3-4 month old baby begins to explore his environment, becomes more active, and focuses his attention. At this time, the duration of daytime breastfeeding may be significantly shortened, and the baby's attention is distracted by many things. Therefore, when the amount of milk sucked occasionally decreases, the number of breastfeedings increases. This way, he can provide the necessary amount. The importance of nighttime breastfeeding also increases because the baby is not exposed to the same stimuli at night as during the day, and at this time he can only focus on eating. 

Motor development after six months of age can also affect nighttime sucking. During the daytime “coming and going”, the baby does not have much time and attention to eat. It may happen that he finishes sucking in 5 minutes. However, he tries to make up for this during the night's rest, often in very large quantities. 

In the summer heat or in a room with dry air, it is possible that your baby wants to nurse at night because he is thirsty . If this is the case, we should still replace his fluids with breastfeeding, not with water or tea. Do not try to wean him off waking up with other liquids, as he will still be hungry. 

Source: Breastfeeding Portal , Kismamablog - Vida Ágnes , Ildikó Czákné Varga, Lactation Consultant , La Leche League

How does a baby signal when he wants to breastfeed?

The newborn puts his hands to his mouth, sucks his fists, gurgles, gapes, sticks out his tongue, and turns his head to search. At this point, it is necessary to respond to his signals. If he does not receive this, he may become increasingly restless and cry. If the mother waits until then to breastfeed, she will not be able to feed him on demand. 

At 3 months of age, your baby is already exploring his body parts, so sucking his hands may no longer be a clear indication of a need to suck. Instead, we see stronger signs that are accompanied by restlessness, impatience, and searching. Later, the baby will communicate his need to suck more clearly. 

Source: Breastfeeding Portal

Nighttime breastfeeding does not lead to obesity in babies

A baby who is breastfed on demand quickly learns to recognize his own hunger. He eats as much and as fast as he needs. Therefore, we do not have to worry about unwanted, excessive weight gain. However, in babies who are breastfed for a set period of time - because they do not always get food when their own hunger arises - overeating, uncontrolled eating, and hastiness are more common.

Source: Maternity blog - Ágnes Vida

When do nighttime feedings stop?

This is very individual, because there are babies who gradually reduce the number of nighttime feedings after a few months of age, and there are those who are still hungry at night after the age of 1 year. The same baby may have different periods, which is often not easy to adapt to. However, it is true that when a baby is hungry, he will wake up from sleep – since several hours of nighttime sleep is a long time for him – and without feeding him, perhaps replacing milk with another liquid, he will have difficulty falling back to sleep.