How long do babies feed at night?
We’re here to answer a common question. How long is it considered normal for a baby to wake at night to feed? Right at the start, we’d like to point out that every child develops at their own pace, and it’s not possible to set a specific age by which babies should stop feeding at night. The answer is quite simple, but we’ve added a few extra points that fit the topic.
When a little one is hungry at night, they wake up. This is usually the case until around 18 months of age, with at least one wake-up. In particularly warm weather, waking may be down to thirst. Babies may also stir when moving between sleep cycles. Sometimes a baby has brief wake-ups just to check that Mum is nearby and that they are safe. With feeding on demand, a mother can more easily recognise when her child is hungry.
What does feeding on demand mean?
It’s a way of caring where a mother breastfeeds according to her baby’s needs rather than a fixed schedule. A little one can be offered the breast whenever they show signs, regardless of when they last fed. Mum can also initiate a feed if her breasts feel full, so her needs are respected too. Exclusive breastfeeding is supported if the baby doesn’t use a dummy or bottle, and can satisfy their need to suckle at their mother’s breast.
Feeding on demand follows a child’s physiological needs. It’s an inborn need, since babies even suck their thumb in the womb. Suckling isn’t only about nutrition. It is also a baby’s primary self-soothing mechanism, often called comfort suckling. So it may happen that a baby mainly seeks the feeling that suckling provides. Among traditional communities, children carried on their mother’s chest can breastfeed without restriction, with constant access to their mother. They may even feed 80 to 100 times in a day.
A routine with feeding on demand?
A new baby changes day-to-day life from the ground up. Some mothers may worry that feeding on demand will add even more to their load. Yet by aligning with the baby’s needs and moving in step with them, it can actually be easier to shape the routine you want, because it’s simpler to adapt to a baby than to slot them into a strict timetable. Routines can work well from time to time, but with a young baby change is common and life isn’t predictable.
What can influence the need to feed at night?
A newborn’s tummy is about the size of a cherry and their digestion is quick, so they may be hungry very often, even every 1.5 to 2 hours at night. Premature babies also tend to feed frequently overnight, as they need to catch up on weight gain. In the first weeks, babies often can’t tell day from night, so they may sleep more in the day and be awake for long stretches at night.
Feeding on demand helps match milk supply to the baby’s needs. This can be a big help during growth spurts, when a baby temporarily needs more milk. On these days they feed more often, the breast receives more stimulation, and supply increases to meet their own requirements. It’s important that this increased need to feed is met every time, without unnecessary formula top-ups. Growth spurts are often seen around 10 days, 3 weeks, 6 weeks and 3 months.
The need for night feeds can increase with development. At around 3 to 4 months, babies begin to explore their surroundings, become more active and focus their attention. Daytime feeds can become much shorter, with lots of distractions pulling their focus. If the amount of milk taken per feed drops, the number of feeds increases so that total intake is maintained. Night feeds often become more significant, because there are fewer distractions and a baby can focus on feeding.
After 6 months, as movement skills develop, night feeding may also be affected. With all the daytime coming and going, babies have less time and attention for feeding. A feed might be done in five minutes. They tend to make up for this during the calm of the night, often taking in a substantial amount.
In hot summer weather or in a room with dry air, a baby may want to feed at night because they are thirsty. If that’s your suspicion, still offer the breast to replace fluids rather than water or tea. Don’t try to wean from night waking with other drinks, as they will remain hungry.
How does a baby show they want to feed?
A newborn brings their hands to their mouth, sucks their fist, makes smacking sounds, opens and closes their mouth, sticks out their tongue and searches with head turns. You should respond at this stage. If these signals aren’t met, a baby may become increasingly unsettled and cry. If a mother waits until this point to start a feed, she won’t be able to feed on demand.
At around 3 months, babies discover their body parts, so hand-sucking no longer clearly signals hunger. You’re more likely to see stronger cues such as restlessness, impatience and searching. Later, babies communicate their wish to feed more directly.
Night feeding does not lead to a baby becoming overweight
A baby who is fed on demand soon learns to recognise their own hunger. They eat the amount they need, at the pace they need it. There’s no reason to fear unwanted or excessive weight gain. However, with scheduled feeding, because babies don’t always receive milk when their own hunger arises, overeating and irregular, hurried feeding are more common.
When do night feeds stop?
This is highly individual. Some babies gradually reduce night feeds over the first few months, while others are still hungry at night after turning one. The same baby may go through different phases, which can be hard to adapt to. Still, it holds true that if a baby is hungry they will wake from sleep. A stretch of several hours is a long time for them, and without a feed, or if milk is replaced by other fluids, it may be difficult for them to settle back to sleep.
Sources:
NHS — Breastfeeding help and support
NCT — How to cope with night feeds
