Does Feeding to Sleep Cause Frequent Night Waking?

Yes and no!!! Let me explain…

Some babies who are fed to sleep may go on to sleep through the night, while other babies who are fed to sleep will wake frequently and need to be fed back to sleep each time. In some cases, this can mean that they’re waking every 1-2 hours or more throughout the night.

Many mums I speak to blame themselves and assume that feeding their baby to sleep has created this pattern of frequent waking, but that’s not necessarily the case.

Firstly you need to know that feeding to sleep and then frequent waking is not your fault!

There are plenty of breastfed babies who are fed to sleep and sleep really well through the night. So, let’s look at why feeding to sleep works for some babies but may lead to more frequent night waking for others, and what you can do if feeding to sleep is no longer working for you.

Feeding to Sleep as a Newborn

For newborns, feeding to sleep is biologically normal and expected. Babies are neurologically immature, and their sleep cycles are much shorter than adults, so they fall asleep quickly while feeding.

This feeding-to-sleep association generally works well (and is virtually impossible to prevent) in the first few months.

But, around four months, something shifts: as babies grow, their brains mature, they become more aware of their environment, and their sleep cycles start to lengthen.

At this stage, some babies become more sensitive to how they fall asleep. Feeding to sleep, if continued, can become a strong preference or expectation every time they need to fall asleep.

While feeding to sleep is not an issue in itself, it can become challenging when babies wake between sleep cycles through the night and need the same conditions – feeding, in this case – to get back to sleep.

Why is feeding to sleep ok for some and not for others?

Some babies can feed to sleep and stay asleep through the night, while others struggle. Here are three primary factors that can determine which camp your little one may fall into.

1. Your Baby’s Temperament

Every baby is different, and temperament plays a huge role in how a baby sleeps. In my experience, this is the most common reason for frequent night waking and frequent feeding.

Babies with a more sensitive temperament generally wake more and need more parental support to get back to sleep. They often rely on feeding to get to sleep and back to sleep every time they stir.

These babies may also have a stronger parental preference, especially if they’re breastfeeding and feel extra comforted by the familiar smell and warmth of Mum.

Sensitive babies may also show signs like:

• Waking soon after being put down
• Fussing if the environment changes, like being moved from arms to crib
• Preferring to be soothed by a specific parent or caregiver
• A preference for being latched on all night

For these babies, introducing other ways to settle besides feeding, such as rocking, shushing, or using a comfort item, can help them learn to settle without relying on feeding every time they wake. A different way of settling is often easier to accept from a different caregiver.

2. Sleep Red Flags & Underlying Issues

Frequent night waking can also be a sign of underlying issues. Some common issues that may cause frequent waking and frequent feeding include:

• Reflux: Babies with reflux may find feeding soothing as milk helps to neutralize stomach acid, which can mean more frequent waking and feeding. Signs of reflux include vomiting, frequent fussiness, gulping, and discomfort when lying flat.

• Tongue Tie: Tongue ties can make latching difficult, resulting in inefficient feeding and leading to more frequent feeds throughout the night. You may also notice clicking when feeding or milk dripping out the mouth. These babies may also sleep with their mouth open.

• Low Iron: Babies with low iron might experience restless sleep, frequent waking, and even sweating, as they struggle to stay asleep between cycles.

If any of these signs sound familiar, consulting a pediatrician or lactation consultant can be helpful. Addressing these underlying issues can often lead to fewer night wakings and a more restful night for both baby and parents. Once you have ruled out any red flags, you can then consider other possible reasons for frequent waking.

3. Daytime Sleep Balance

Another often overlooked factor is how much sleep your baby is getting during the day. Babies naturally accumulate “sleep pressure” (the biological drive to sleep) throughout the day. If a baby naps excessively or too close to bedtime, they may not have enough sleep pressure to stay asleep through the night, leading to frequent waking and needing help to fall back asleep.

Babies with low sleep pressure often:

• Wake frequently within the first few hours after being put down
• Seem ready to sleep when rocked or fed but wake when put down
• Experience split nights, waking up and staying alert in the middle of the night

Understanding your babies sleep needs and ensuring they have balanced, age-appropriate naps as well as keeping an eye on wake windows can help them go to sleep at night with enough sleep pressure to stay asleep.

How to Gently Move Away from Feeding to Sleep

If feeding to sleep is no longer working for you or is no longer sustainable, here are a few  gentle strategies to help your little one adapt to settling in other ways:

1.Introduce Positive Sleep Associations: Create a calming bedtime and naptime routine with associations that are not feeding-related. Try playing white noise or lullabies, a smell in the room or adding a comforter for older babies. You can also habit stack by adding stroking, patting and/or shushing at the same time as feeding. Over time, these can help your baby feel secure without needing to feed to fall asleep.

2. Change your daytime routine: During the day, try offering a feed at least 30mins before the nap is due or feeding when your baby wakes instead of before sleep. This can reduce the association between feeding and falling asleep and can make it easier for them to learn to sleep without feeding at bedtime.

3. Move the bedtime feed: Offer the bedtime feed earlier in the bedtime routine either just before or after the bath. Then aim for a few minutes of calm activity after the bedtime feed, like reading a short story or singing a lullaby. This helps break the association between feeding and sleep and is especially effective for babies over five months.

4. Be Consistent: Consistency is key when making any changes with sleep. Decide on a method, give it time, and stay patient. Babies can take time to adjust to new sleep habits, but with a consistent approach, they’ll adapt.

If you are looking for extra guidance and support with this process, my signature sleep program, The Good Night Sleep System takes you through a detailed step-by-step process for changing unsustainable sleep associations.

Additional Benefits of Moving on From Feeding to Sleep

Once your baby is able to settle without so much input from you (such as with some patting and shushing), night wakings tend to reduce significantly. Babies are able to link their sleep cycles and wake less frequently or can resettle on their own when they do wake.

Not only will you experience longer stretches of sleep at night but many parents who have moved away from feeding to sleep say that this has had a huge impact on their baby’s appetite in the day as they’re not filling up on milk through the night.

Finally, not needing to feed to sleep means that other caregivers can help put the baby down for naps or bedtime. This allows parents to enjoy some flexibility in their evening routines and ensures that settling your baby isn’t solely dependent on one person. This is really important when both parents have returned to work.

Conclusion

While feeding to sleep can be a lovely, comforting way to settle a baby, it can become a habit that contributes to frequent night waking for some babies. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone, and it’s never too late to make gradual changes to support independent sleep.

Every baby’s sleep journey is unique, so finding a solution that respects their temperament, addresses any underlying concerns, and balances daytime sleep is key. With a bit of patience, consistency, and the right approach, both you and your baby can enjoy more restful nights!