How to Put a Baby to Sleep Without Nursing

Many mothers who have sleepless babies nurse them either to or back to sleep. If your baby is old enough, however, she/he likely doesn’t need to be nursed in order to go to sleep.^{[1]XResearch source} By stretching out your baby’s feedings throughout the day and into the night and establishing a sleep routine, you can successfully get your baby to sleep without nursing.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Establishing a Sleep Routine

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1
Recognize daily sleep requirements. Depending on how old your baby is, she needs a different amount of sleep.^{[2]XExpert SourceCorey Fish, MD
Pediatrician & Chief Medical Officer, BraveCareExpert Interview. 17 March 2020.}^{[3]XResearch source} If she is 5 or under, the recommended daily sleep amounts time by age are:
- Infants 0 – 2 months need 10.5 – 18 hours every day.
- Babies 2 – 12 months need 14 – 15 hours every day.
2
Fix a consistent bedtime. Set a consistent bedtime that incorporates a routine. This can help her fall asleep without nursing in addition to relaxing her and regulate her sleep cycle.^{[4]XExpert SourceCorey Fish, MD
Pediatrician & Chief Medical Officer, BraveCareExpert Interview. 17 March 2020.}^{[5]XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}
- Consider naps, feedings, and your baby’s age when fixing her bedtime. Don't worry about setting bedtimes during the first two months.
- Set a reasonable bedtime for you and your baby. You may want some “me time” after putting your baby down for the night.^{[6]XResearch source}
- You may need to tweak the schedule occasionally to accommodate activities or other factors like illness.^{[7]XResearch source}
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3
Promote relaxation before bed. Most babies require some time to shift into bedtime mode. Promoting relaxation through rituals and environment can help your baby relax and get to sleep, especially without nursing or feeding.^{[8]XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}
- Begin winding down at least two hours before your baby’s bedtime.
- Dampen any loud noises.^{[9]XResearch source}
- Dim the lights around the house and especially in your baby’s room. This lets her know that it’s time to sleep.^{[10]XResearch source}
- Speak to your baby and rub her back to relax and reassure her if she is fussy.^{[11]XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}
4
Have a bedtime routine. Follow a nightly bedtime ritual that does not include nursing.^{[12]XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source} Taking a bath, reading a story, singing, or listening to soothing music can cue and your baby to sleep without the aid of nursing.^{[13]XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}
- Read or sing to your baby to help relax him.^{[14]XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}
- Give him a warm bath and massage to enhance relaxation.
5
Optimize the sleeping environment. Create a room for your baby that promotes relaxation and sleep. Setting an optimal temperature, dampening noise, and shutting out light can help fall and stay asleep.^{[15]XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}
- Set the room temperature between 65 and 75°F (18.3 to 23.8°C).
- Remove anything from your baby’s room that may stimulate her, such as electronics.^{[16]XResearch source}
- Control light with soft bulbs and curtains or blinds. Using a night light in a non-stimulating color like red can help you find her or even reassure her.^{[17]XResearch source}
- Use a white noise machine to dampen noises that may otherwise wake your baby.^{[18]XResearch source}^{[19]XExpert SourceCorey Fish, MD
  Pediatrician & Chief Medical Officer, BraveCareExpert Interview. 17 March 2020.}
- Remove blankets and soft items from the crib or bassinet to prevent suffocation.^{[20]XExpert SourceCorey Fish, MD
  Pediatrician & Chief Medical Officer, BraveCareExpert Interview. 17 March 2020.}^{[21]XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}
6
Put him down while he's still awake. Place your baby in his crib or bassinet when he is drowsy but awake. This can help him associate the bed with sleep and reduce his need to nurse in order to sleep.^{[22]XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source} This can also reduce the amount of nighttime care you provide.^{[23]XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}
- Place your baby on his back to sleep.^{[24]XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}
- If he stirs when you put him in the crib, allow him to adjust and then see if he falls back asleep. If not, pick him up again until he is drowsy.
7
See your pediatrician. If your baby isn’t sleeping or requires nighttime feedings after six months, schedule an appointment with your pediatrician. She may be able to assess why your baby is still hungry at night or if your baby is just wanting feeds for the attention and affection.^{[25]XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}
- Prepare notes on your baby’s sleep and feeding patterns to take to the appointment with you. This can help your doctor more effectively diagnose what may be going on with your baby’s sleep cycle and give you tips to improve it.

Part 2

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Stretching Out Feedings

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1
Understand babies’ sleep cycles. Babies have different requirements for sleeping and eating depending on how old they are. Learning about the sleep cycles of babies can help you more effectively get your baby to sleep without nursing.^{[26]XResearch source}
- Babies generally do not require nighttime feedings once they weigh 11 pounds.^{[27]XResearch source}
- Newborns need to eat more often and generally sleep for up to three hours in between feedings.^{[28]XResearch source} This means you may need to wake your baby to feed him until he is old or weighs enough to sleep without eating.
- Between two to three months and depending on weight, your baby may need an additional feeding at night. Most two to three months old babies need one to two feedings at night. They usually need to feed by five to six hours. ^{[29]XResearch source}
- After four months, most healthy babies do not metabolically require feedings during the night and can usually sleep for seven to eight hours without a feeding.^{[30]XResearch source}
- Talk to your doctor if you have any questions about what is feasible.^{[31]XResearch source}
2
Cut down nighttime feedings. At around three months, reduce the number of nighttime feedings you give your baby. This can ultimately help reinforce the baby falling asleep without nursing.^{[32]XResearch source}
- If your baby cries, either allow her to stir to see if she goes back to sleep or give her a pacifier, which may soothe her right back to sleep without feeding.^{[33]XResearch source}
3
Fill up the baby before you sleep. Giving your baby a few sips of milk before you go to sleep may keep him from waking during the night. Wake him up and let him take a few sips, even if he is too tired to drink.^{[34]XResearch source}
- The extra sips may have the added benefit of getting you a little more sleep.^{[35]XResearch source}
- Be aware that this tactic can backfire and stimulate your baby to wake more often. If this happens, discontinue filling him up at your bedtime and give her a little extra at his last feeding.^{[36]XResearch source}
4
Extend time between feedings. Once your baby no longer needs to be fed every two to three hours (usually around three to four months old), stretch out the time in between her feedings. This can help her realize that she doesn’t need to nurse to sleep.^{[37]XResearch source}
- Add ½ hour between feedings at night every other night. After a few weeks, your baby may no longer need to nurse to fall or stay asleep.^{[38]XResearch source}
5
Decrease nighttime feedings. Spend a little less time nursing during your baby’s nighttime feeding(s). By gradually decreasing the amount of time you nurse, you can signal your baby that he can sleep without nursing.^{[39]XResearch source}
- Suckle your baby for two minutes less per breast over the course of a week.^{[40]XResearch source}
- You may need longer than a week to eliminate your baby’s need to nurse for sleep.^{[41]XResearch source}
- In addition, limit extra stimulation during night feedings such as noise, lights, or extra attention.
6
Increase daytime feedings. Your baby may be less likely to nurse at night if she gets sufficient calories throughout the day.^{[42]XResearch source} Gradually increase how much you nurse your baby during daytime feedings until she doesn’t require nursing to sleep.^{[43]XResearch source}
- Suckle your baby for a few minutes more per breast every day.^{[44]XResearch source}
- Avoid putting cereal in her bottle or giving her solids too early, which can be detrimental to a baby’s health.^{[45]XResearch source} Most experts recommend starting solids at around six months.
The sucking action of nursing may soothe him to sleep. By giving him a pacifier, he may be able to fall asleep without nursing. Research has also shown that pacifier use while sleeping can reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).^{[46]XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}
8
Provide nighttime care only as necessary. Most babies fuss and move around during the night. Only attend to her if she is unable to soothe herself back to sleep or seems sick.^{[47]XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}
- Dim lights, speak in a soft voice, move minimally, and don’t put your baby directly at your breast. This helps your baby understand it’s time to sleep and disassociate nursing and sleeping.^{[48]XResearch source}
9
Avoid co-sleeping. Although you may be tempted to have your baby close to you at night, avoid bed-sharing or co-sleeping. Not only can this tempt him to nurse himself to sleep, but it can also make it harder for him to fall and stay asleep.^{[49]XResearch source}
- Studies have shown that co-sleeping increases the risk for SIDS, suffocation, or strangulation.^{[50]XResearch source}

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