If your baby is doing this they can likely sleep through the night
Every parent dreams of the day when their baby can sleep through the night, bringing peaceful nights for both the child and the caregivers. Knowing when your baby is ready for this transition can sometimes be a challenge. However, by paying attention to your baby’s night feeding habits, you can gain valuable insights into their readiness for uninterrupted sleep.
Introduction to Sleep Readiness
Sleep readiness in babies is often communicated through their behavior during night feeds. If your baby is waking up multiple times during the night—for instance, two to four times—a closer look at their feeding habits can indicate whether they are prepared to sleep through.
Identifying Sleep Signals
One significant signal comes from their feeding pattern. If your baby latches onto the bottle or breast and quickly falls asleep, with eyes closed and sucking slowing down, they might just need help falling back to sleep rather than needing nutrition. This could mean they are ready to sleep through the night, and you can work on breaking the “sucking to sleep” association.
On the other hand, if the baby latches on and stays awake with big swallows and active sucking, they are likely hungry. This behavior is a signal to honor—your baby genuinely needs a feed.
Steps to Support Your Baby’s Sleep Transition
Observe Feeding Behavior: At the end of a feed, watch for the slowing down of sucking. This is a natural cue for sleep readiness.
End Feed Before Sleep: Once your baby starts to slow, gently end the feed. Acknowledge their sleepiness, but make sure they don’t suck all the way to sleep on the bottle or breast.
Act: Change and Comfort: After ending the feed, change their diaper to ensure comfort, then place them back in their crib. They might need some comforting like gentle shushing or patting to drift off.
Recognizing Independence from Feeding
If you notice that when removing the breast or bottle, your baby starts feeding again even if they’re not very active in their sucking, this is likely a comfort sucking rather than hunger. This behavior is a cue that they might not be hungry but are relying on sucking as a sleep aid.
Final Thoughts
Transitioning to sleeping through the night is a developmental milestone and can be gradually achieved by interpreting your baby’s feeding cues and gently encouraging independence from night feeds. By understanding the differences between hunger and comfort, you can support your baby in this transition, fostering healthier sleep patterns for the entire family.
If you have any further questions or need support, feel free to reach out or leave a comment. Your baby’s journey to sleeping through the night can be smoother with the right techniques and patience.
If you need more support
I lead a team of Registered Nurses and Nurse Practitioners around the globe, who share my programs and who I personally mentor.
If you are struggling with your baby or child, you can reach out and we can help. We do in person and virtual feeding assessments. We also offer women’s health services and can help you achieve optimal hormonal health. Our services are often covered through insurance.
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Thank you so much for being a part of our community,
Carrie Bruno RN, IBCLC, MSCP
