The earliest night feeding is generally recommended to be dropped first.
When it comes to dropping night feeds for your baby, the strategy often involves gradually reducing the feedings rather than abruptly stopping them all at once. The most common advice is to start with the earliest feeding of the night.
Here's why reducing the earliest feed first often works best:
-
Baby's Natural Sleep Cycle: Babies often sleep more deeply later in the night. The earlier feeding might be more out of habit than true hunger.
-
Easier Adjustment: By starting with the earliest feeding, you give your baby more time to adjust and potentially sleep longer stretches as the night progresses.
Example:
If your baby typically feeds at these times:
- 10:00 PM
- 1:00 AM
- 4:00 AM
You would focus on reducing or eliminating the 10:00 PM feeding first. Once that's established, you can consider addressing subsequent feedings, if necessary.
How to reduce the feeding:
Gradually decrease the amount you feed at that time. If you're breastfeeding, reduce the time spent nursing. If you're bottle-feeding, decrease the ounces offered. You can also try soothing your baby with other methods (e.g., rocking, patting) to see if they can settle back to sleep without feeding.
Remember to consult with your pediatrician before making any significant changes to your baby's feeding schedule.
