Blissed Out BabiesBlissed Out Babies
Night weaning can be one of the most challenging aspects of parenting a toddler, I’m based in Cheshire, where many parents face pressure to eliminate night feedings.
If your toddler still wakes for nighttime feedings, you may feel like it disrupts their sleep and your own.
Whilst this isn’t always a cut-and-dry thing, you may still be feeling ready to stop feeding your toddler in the night.
In this blog post, we’ll explore what to consider and the 5 best ways to handle night weaning in Cheshire whether it will definitely help your toddler sleep soundly through the night.
The World Health Organisation recommend breastfeeding alongside safe and adequate complementary foods while continuing to breastfeed for up to two years of age or beyond.
Breastfeeding also has many benefits for the feeding parent as well as the child, so I’m all for keeping it going for as long as you want to.
Breastfeeding is also SO much more than just a source of nutrition, even more reason to carry on as long as you want to.
Toddlers are learning about their place in the world, they are becoming more independent and often need to spend more time away from their parents at daycare, so it’s common for toddlers to want to breastfeed more as a tool for calming, connecting and regulating.
The honest answer is we just don’t know.
Some toddlers will go on to sleep through the night after night weaning, whilst others will no longer need or want to feed in the night , but may still wake up.
I find sleep often improves after night weaning if a toddler has been feeding more than two or three times a night.
On the flip side, if your toddler is only waking once in the right and a feed gets them back to sleep, you may decide not to night wean as you might just be removing the quickest, ‘easiest’ way to get them back to sleep.
It is also worth saying that if you want to night wean so that you get more sleep (and your partner takes over some of the night wakes) that’s OK too.
If your child has been falling asleep with a feed for most of their life, it can help to work on that sleep association first. It will make removing feeds in the night easier as they will be more used to a different sleep cue.
Gradually reducing the volume of bottles, or duration of breastfeeds is one of the most effective ways to wean your toddler from nighttime bottles or breastfeeding. In Cheshire, many parents have found success by slowly reducing the amount of milk offered at night until it is no longer needed. This gradual process helps your toddler adjust without feeling deprived.
Work on resettling your child without offering a feed one wake up at a time.
It can work well to start with the first wake of the night to begin with, parents often have more capacity to stick to the boundary this way.
Offer support in any other way but feeding. Once one feed is gone, move onto the next.
Work on resettling your child without offering a feed one wake up at a time.
It can help to work on dropping the last feed of the night. This can help to encourage a good breakfast feed, and supporting a longer stretch of sleep at the end of the night often feels better for the parent.
In Cheshire, many parents wonder when is the best time to night wean. The answer is entirely individual.
In my experience, night weaning a 14-18 month old can be challenging – separation anxiety is high and there’s often a lot of development happening – mastering walking and language skills bursting.
Often waiting until 18 months means you can talk to them about night weaning and help them to understand what’s going to happen.
Fundamentally you also need to be sure you’re ready to night wean. It can be a tricky process, and if you’re unsure or not certain you want to do it, it can be hard to commit to staying consistent.
Night weaning takes time, and your toddler may resist it initially. It’s important to stay consistent and patient during this transition. If your toddler continues to cry or wake up for feedings, gently remind them that it’s not feeding time and offer comfort instead.
Remember that you have SO many other parenting tools in your toolkit to soothe your child. Feeding is not the only thing you can do, so let go of the guilt you might be feeling when your child is struggling with the transition.
Emma Pickett’s content on night weaning is also really helpful to read.
Remember, you’re not alone in this journey. Many parents are going through the same thing. With the right strategies and support, you can help your little one sleep more peacefully, and you’ll both wake up feeling more rested and ready for the day ahead.
If you’re looking for more support on how to handle toddler sleep challenges, check out the Taming Toddler Sleep Programme , my signature group sleep and parenting programme. I guarantee you’ll get better sleep or I’ll work with you for free until you do!
Together, we can create a sleep routine that works for your family, helping everyone get the rest they deserve.
I have always been interested in gentle parenting techniques, and as a self confessed ‘geek’ I spent many a sleepless night reading. I became so interested in infant brain development and the science of sleep that I completed my Holistic Sleep Coaching qualification, mentored by the wonderful Lyndsey Hookway. I have been working as a toddler sleep consultant since 2018, I am based in Manchester but I can work with you from anywhere in the world online!
This coupled with my experience in settling techniques, toddler negotiation strategies and analysis of naps and sleep needs gives me a wealth of knowledge to be able help you.
If you’re looking for help with making changes to your family’s sleeping habits and would like to speak to a toddler sleep consultant who is down to earth and sympathetic and will focus on you and your family with empathy and understanding then please get in touch.
I would love to hear from you!
Jem x
Click here to book a free chat with Jem to discuss sleep packages and ensure we are a good fit. There is no obligation and I will only take clients where I genuinely feel I can change their lives.
I have three simple toddler sleep support packages, Read more about them here.
Yes! You can check out my free sleep resources here.
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