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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Original poster

How long so babies really need a feed at night for?

30 replies

ladypop · 08/08/2013 15:20

I only ask as DS1 naturally stopped feeding at night at about 6 months and I read somewhere that a typical 6 month old doesn't biologically need to feed during the night..
Our DS2 is only 3.5 months and feeds just once between 7pm-7am. All fine by me, just doing a straw poll to find out for the coming months!

OP posts:
BoysBoysBoysAndMe · 08/08/2013 15:24

You're very lucky. My youngest still wakes for a feed, he's 9 months.
Our other two ds had a feed though the night until about 15 months.

maja00 · 08/08/2013 15:25

I think most babies are capable of eating enough in the day not to need a night feed by 9 months. After that it's a sleep issue rather than a food issue. 6 months is pretty ambitious for breastfed babies or those who aren't really on solids.

AmandaPandtheTantrumofDoom · 08/08/2013 15:26

Your younger child is unusual. Some children need a feed for hunger up to at least one. And 'biological' need could be wider than that - is it a biological need for comfort for example? I'd say it probably is.

So enjoy. Here's hoping you got a good sleeper! Smile

CreatureRetorts · 08/08/2013 15:28

It depends surely. Also it might vary at different times. Eg growth spurt, ill so not eating solids much, haven't always eaten, maybe they're a bit thirsty too as 12 hours is a long time....

I've never read any concrete research which backs up claims about night feeds/drinks.

Original poster
ladypop · 08/08/2013 15:41

Interesting.....My memory might be a bit foggy tbh though! lol! ;)

OP posts:
WinningBread · 08/08/2013 15:46

My baby is 16 months and wakes - for a feed - every 2 hours max.

You are very lucky, OP! Grin

JoandMax · 08/08/2013 15:51

DS1 was just over 1 when he stopped nightfeeds, he'd had periods of not feeding from 6 months onwards but they'd only last a week or so then it'd be back to feeds again.

DS2 was just over 3........ He was a very poorly tube fed baby and when he was around 18 months suddenly found a love for milk and as he was painfully thin for so long we never refused it! He was eating 3 good meals a day from around 2 but he genuinely needed the calories I think, his little tummy would be grumbling away by 2am! Thankfully he doesn't wake for milk anymore, just cuddles

forevergreek · 08/08/2013 15:53

I would say most naturally drop between 6-12 months. After 12 months they should def be ok without if you don't want them having it except for when ill/ very hot etc maybe

Isitme1 · 08/08/2013 15:55

Just lurking...
Ds1 is tube fed so would like to ask joandmax how and what did you that helped you dc love milk again??
Theres a gastrostomy thread on special needs board too.

Ds2 is 3 weeks and he wakes at 3 and then 7 so not too bad
X

BoohPear · 08/08/2013 16:00

My dd has not had a regular night feed since she was about 5 weeks old. No idea how we've managed it as she's breastfed as well, although we do have a late bedtime. take her up at 9 and she's normally asleep by half 10.

She's spoilt me. I'm guaranteed to get a non sleeping one next aren't I!

Choccywoccydodah · 08/08/2013 16:00

My ds stopped feeding 7pm-7/8/9 (or whenever he decided to wake up!) at around 3 months 10 days (it was the night before Xmas eve 2011, we were over the moon as got a lie in for Xmas!!)
He is about to turn 2 next Tuesday and he is a healthy happy strapping little boy so don't worry Smile
As long as your little one is feeding in the day and putting on weight I'd be grateful of your sleep Smile

Choccywoccydodah · 08/08/2013 16:02

I re read your post saying yours only feeds once, sorry missed that. My ds stopped feeding more than once at about 8 weeks, then dropped altogether at 3 mo 10 days Smile

Jojay · 08/08/2013 16:14

It depends how you define 'need'.

Do they only 'need' it if they would become dehydrated or malnourished without it?

If their physical health isn't affected by dropping feeds, is that the same as no longer 'needing' it?

Is comfort a reassurance a genuine 'need' or not?

It all varies so much Smile

Original poster
ladypop · 08/08/2013 16:45

So in summary, it really depends on the individual baby....and a little to do with parenting too I guess!

OP posts:
maja00 · 08/08/2013 17:02

Comfort/reassurance/sleep props can be a genuine need, but it's also something that you can negotiate between you and find ways for them to have that comfort or sleep prop without it being a feed. There's nothing wrong with night feeding after 6/9/12 months or whatever if everyone is happy with it, but once they don't need to feed for hunger in the night it is up to the parent how they manage it.

JamesAndTheGiantBanana · 08/08/2013 17:04

I remember reading it was when they got to about 11lb but not sure how that would work if the baby was 10lb odd at birth. Hmm. I remember when my (7lbers) babies got to about that weight I started to offer a dummy or a bottle of water for unnecessary night feeds and they soon got the hint and stopped bothering to wake up (Disclaimer: I'm aware this was luck!) Not sure what ages they were though, I want to say 3 or 4 months but they might have been slightly older than that. You forget! Confused

TwasBrillig · 08/08/2013 17:08

Goodness gracious. Both mine were large babies and about a year. I was a walking zombie and still shudder thinking of all use broken sleep. (a major reason why there won't be number 3!)

Most envious of those of you with sleepers.

maja00 · 08/08/2013 17:12

Not feeding in the night also does not mean sleeping through. DS was off night feeds entirely by 9 months and slept through at 2.5 years Grin But at least I didn't have to get up and feed him...

AmandaPandtheTantrumofDoom · 08/08/2013 17:16

Agreed Maja. We weaned DD1 off night feeds at 9 months because we were told she didn't 'need' them. Result: a baby who still woke up and stayed up for 2 hours (plus a few more short wakings) and a mother who was a walking zombie. She'd forgotten how to feed back to sleep so we couldn't even back track! Kept feeding DD2 in the night until she naturally slept through at about 18 months. She slept through a bit later than DD1, but I was only up for 5 minutes so it was much better for me!

JamesAndTheGiantBanana · 08/08/2013 17:18

Twas- I'm due my third in 6 days and highly aware that it was just luck! Bet this one has me up at night for years to make up for it! Hmm

maja00 · 08/08/2013 17:22

Luckily once the night feeds stopped DS just woke for a quick cuddle, so that was definitely preferable to feeding for me Grin

MortifiedAdams · 08/08/2013 17:26

At 8 weeks dd was down to the dream feed only; then by 16weeks was 7-7. However at about nine months she startes wakibg for milk again and it took a good three months to sort it.

MeeWhoo · 08/08/2013 17:30

Currently battling withnight weaning DS who is 22 months old, so I would say you were extremely lucky with baby number one!

celticclan · 08/08/2013 19:05

My two stopped waking for the middle of the night feed at about 3 months and went from 7-7 from
about 5 months.

Ds2 was never ever hungry. I think he survived on air. He is 3 now and still not interested in food.

CPtart · 08/08/2013 19:51

Mine stopped at four and five months. After six months I gave them a weetabix at bedtime with their milk to be sure they wouldn't wake from hunger, they never did.