Do you have to night wean to sleep train?

A question I'm regularly asked is 'Do you have to night wean to sleep train?' Night weaning can be an important part of sleep coaching and sleep training for families. If your baby has been relying heavily on night-time feedings to get back to sleep, night weaning can help break the connection between feeding and sleeping. There is an old school of thought that no baby should need a night feed after 6 months of age. Many sleep coaches still subscribe to this. However, there is no 'one size fits all' answer, as some babies will need night feeds past this age, and for longer than others. Some will feed overnight well into toddlerhood, which is influenced both by babies' needs and their parent's settling method of choice. Sleep training will only influence this up to a certain point if your baby needs these night feeds from a nutrition perspective.

If you decide to night wean your baby (either to improve sleep or for any other reason), it's important to keep in mind that they may initially become more unsettled or wakeful in the night, so expect a few rough nights before things get better. This is usually the case with all sleep training interventions. It's also important to remember that it may take a few weeks of gradual reduction to fully night wean your baby. The key is to wean slowly, making sure that your baby has had plenty of time to adjust and re-settle without the feeding.

When you're weaning from night-time feedings, the goal shouldn't be eliminating all feeds at once; rather, it should be a gradual process over time. You can start by reducing the amount of milk given during each feed, or by eliminating one feed per night. If your baby is breastfeeding, you can reduce the amount of time that your baby feeds for.  Once your baby is comfortable with that, you can gradually reduce the number of feeds until they are no longer necessary. A good sleep coach will help you meet your baby's needs during any sleep training programme.

It's important to remember that night weaning is not something that will happen overnight; it takes patience and consistency. Some parents find that it helps to provide comfort in other ways, such as cuddling, rocking, singing a lullaby, or reading a book together before bedtime. This can help your baby learn how to self-soothe and get back to sleep on their own without relying on feeding, which is usually the sleep training goal.

It's also important for parents to ensure they are getting enough sleep themselves during this period. This may mean taking turns with your partner or support person or even getting help from a night nanny to ensure you are able to get the rest you need.

Finally, it's important to remember that there is no right or wrong when it comes to sleep coaching and training - every family is different, and what works for one may not work for another. The key is to find a solution that works best for your family, whatever that may look like.

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