Night weaning: when and how

This guide is general information only and isn't a substitute for medical advice. If you're concerned about your child's health, or they're unwell, please see a doctor.

At some point most parents wonder whether their baby still needs to feed overnight, or whether it's become habit. There's no single right age, and the safest first step is a chat with your child and family health nurse or GP about your situation. Here's the general picture.

When babies are ready

Night weaning should only be considered when a baby is developmentally ready. It's uncommon for babies under six months to go all night without a feed, while it's common for babies of six months and older to manage up to six hours overnight without needing to feed. That said, some healthy babies still genuinely need overnight feeds well beyond six months, so a baby who still feeds at night isn't behind. Readiness varies a lot, so this is genuinely a case-by-case decision to make with your health professional.

This guidance is for healthy babies who are getting enough during the day for their growth and development. If you have any concerns about your baby's growth, weight gain, or feeding, don't start night weaning until you've talked it through with your GP or child and family health nurse.

An important note for breastfeeding

If you're breastfeeding, be aware that night weaning before twelve months can reduce your milk supply. That's a key reason to get individual advice before you start, rather than following a generic schedule.

How to phase out night feeds

Raising Children describes two gentle approaches depending on how long the feed lasts:

• Short feeds (under about five minutes): you can stop the feed and resettle using the settling techniques that work for your baby.
• Longer feeds: gradually cut down the time you spend feeding over about five to seven nights.

Making it stick

Consistency matters more than speed. Have a plan for how you'll resettle after a dropped feed, and make sure both parents are on the same page. Keep every sleep safe: settle baby back into their own safe sleep space, on the back, in a clear cot.And keep an eye on daytime feeds, since some babies naturally take a little more during the day as night feeds reduce. If your baby seems genuinely hungry, unsettled, or isn't gaining well, pause and check in with your GP or child health nurse.

Go at a pace that feels sustainable rather than racing to a deadline, because a gradual reduction is gentler on both your baby's expectations and, if you're breastfeeding, your milk supply. Many babies drop night feeds largely on their own once they're taking enough during the day and are developmentally ready, so sometimes the job is less about actively weaning and more about not automatically offering a feed at every wake.

Sources

• Raising Children Network, Night weaning and phasing out night feeds
• Red Nose Australia, Six safe sleep recommendations

Last updated: July 2026. Sources include Red Nose Australia and Raising Children Network where cited above. This guide is general information only. For individual concerns, see your GP or child health nurse.