What should I do if my baby cries at night when weaning off nighttime feeding?
Feb 25, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Ma Yan
Introduction
When weaning from night feeding, if the baby cries at night, ensure the baby is well-fed before bedtime, distract their attention, and provide comfort. Night weaning should be done gradually—for example, allow the baby to feed twice on the first night, once on the second night, and slowly reduce until fully weaned. If night feeds are stopped abruptly, the baby may become emotionally overwhelmed, cry intensely, and refuse to sleep. In addition to the above, it's important to offer companionship and a sense of security to the baby.
When weaning from night feeding, if the baby cries at night, ensure the baby is well-fed before bedtime, divert their attention, and provide comfort.
1. Ensure the baby is full before sleep
Add an extra solid meal in the evening, followed by 240 ml of formula milk just before bedtime. Then let the baby drink a small amount of water to rinse away any remaining milk, helping prevent damage to primary teeth.
2. Divert attention
After waking up at night, babies often cling to their mother and depend on the bottle. Provide more toys, spend time playing together, and tell soothing bedtime stories. When the baby cries, play calming music suitable for sleep to help regulate their emotions.
3. Comfort
Babies may become irritable, anxious, and prone to crying when they cannot breastfeed or bottle-feed. Pick them up gently, stroke or pat their back softly—this comforting touch can soothe them and reduce crying.
In addition to the above, offering companionship and a sense of security is also important. Night weaning should be gradual: for example, allow two feedings the first night, one feeding the second night, and gradually phase it out. Abruptly stopping all night feeds at once may overwhelm the baby emotionally, leading to intense crying and refusal to sleep.
