How to Wean a Child From Nighttime Nursing

Taking care of your infant's basic needs requires a lot of energy. Although babies need a lot of sleep, they wake up frequently for nighttime feedings. You may become so exhausted that you feel like a zombie during the day. According to the Baby Center website, a baby that is four to six months old can safely sleep for six hours at night as long as he is getting enough milk during the day. Weaning your child from nighttime nursing will take some effort, but eventually your child will sleep longer and you will begin to feel like your old self again.

Instructions

1

Ensure that your child gets enough feedings during the day. Make a schedule and feed her every few hours. You can also wake her up for a feeding just before you go to bed.

2

Spend more time cuddling and touching your child during the day. According to the AskDr.Sears website, a child who is not getting enough physical contact during the day may awaken during the night to get it.

3

Wait a few minutes before comforting a fussy child at night. Your child may be moving around in his sleep or even dreaming. Don't assume that he is hungry. Wait at least five minutes (or what you feel is an appropriate time) to see if he will go back to sleep.

4

Give your child less milk during the night feedings. For instance, if you bottle-feed her, dilute the bottle with water. Add more water to the milk each time she wakes up until she is only getting water, which may discourage her from waking. If you are breastfeeding her, try to disengage her sooner to see if she will settle down.

5

Make the nighttime feeding environment boring. Don't talk or sing to your child. Keep the room dark and quiet so that he doesn't associate nighttime wakings with a fun time.

6

Comfort your child without feeding him every time he wakes up. For instance, gently rub her back and tell her to go to sleep. Let your baby's father (or another family member) be the one to offer comfort during the night. Your child may start to learn that nighttime is not feeding time and be able to sleep better.