How to Get a Baby to Sleep Without a Feeding During the Night

A baby's sleep habits have always been a point of contention with new parents. Newborn babies eat every few hours in the beginning, with that interval lengthening as the infant gets older. By 4 months of age, formula-fed babies should be sleeping through the night without a need for night feedings, according to Children's Hospital Colorado. Breastfed babies should be sleeping through the night at 5 months of age. If your baby has reached the appropriate age and still isn't sleeping through the night -- or going seven hours without the need to feed -- you can make a few changes to get him there.

Things You'll Need

  • Formula, if formula feeding
  • Bottles
  • Pacifier
  • Crib or baby bed

Instructions

    • 1

      Stretch the intervals between daytime feedings by 30 minutes. The extra half hour doesn't seem like much at first. In two days, add another half hour to the interval between daytime feedings. Do this until your baby can wait three to four hours between daytime feedings.

    • 2

      Teach your baby to fall asleep on his own by laying him down at bedtime or nap time when you see the first signs of drowsiness. Those signs include eye-rubbing, yawning, staring, slowed motion and crankiness. Babies awaken three or four times a night, but very briefly. Those babies who sleep through the night know how to put themselves back to sleep immediately. You must teach your baby to do so as well.

    • 3

      Check on the baby once you put him down, but don't linger. Check every five minutes and only stay a minute each time. At first, more time may be needed to help baby get to sleep. When you check on the baby, do not offer a feeding, turn a light on or pick up the baby to play. Instead, lay your hand on the baby, stand by the bed or briefly rock him to soothe him. Try not to speak. Keep this up until your baby can fall asleep and stay asleep without you.

    • 4

      Continue night feedings until the time between daytime feedings has increased to three- or four-hour intervals. Begin to decrease the amount of formula or breast milk offered during each night feeding. Reduce formula by one ounce and breastfeeding by two minutes. Do this for two days before shaving another ounce or two minutes off the night feedings. Continue this process until the night feedings cease.

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