There's no single age when babies stop needing night feeds. Pregnancy, Birth and Baby, the Australian Government's parenting service, says breastfed babies often need night feeds until around 12 months, and bottle-fed babies tend to drop them earlier, from around 6 months. The AAP says most formula-fed babies no longer need a middle-of-the-night feed somewhere between 2 and 4 months, though it adds that this varies considerably from baby to baby.
Both sources agree there's no hurry. If night feeds work for your family, you can keep going. If you'd like to cut back, this guide covers how to tell whether your baby might be ready and when to wait. For the step-by-step, see our night weaning plan.
Why do babies need night feeds?
Young babies don't know the difference between night and day. Pregnancy, Birth and Baby explains that because their stomachs are small and they digest milk quickly, they need to feed often — around the clock — to grow. The NHS guide to baby sleep says simply that newborns wake at night because they need to be fed.
In the first few weeks, long gaps can be a problem rather than a win. The AAP advises waking your baby to offer a feed if they sleep longer than 4 to 5 hours and start missing feeds in the first few weeks.
Not every night waking is about food, though. Pregnancy, Birth and Baby notes that babies also wake as they move between sleep cycles and may need comfort to go back to sleep. That's one reason night waking can carry on after night feeds stop — see night wakings.
At what age do babies stop needing night feeds?
Here's what the main sources say, by age. Use your baby's corrected age if they were born early.
| Age | What the sources describe |
|---|---|
| 0–3 months | Babies feed at night much as they do in the day |
| By about 3 months | Many settle into one longer 4–5 hour stretch overnight |
| 3–6 months | Fewer night feeds; some sleep 5 to 8 hours or longer, but not all |
| From around 6 months | Bottle-fed babies may start dropping night feeds |
| 6–12 months | For some babies night feeds may no longer be needed |
| Around 12 months | Breastfed babies often still need night feeds until about now |
The 3-month and 6-month points come from Pregnancy, Birth and Baby; the "5 to 8 hours" and "some babies 6 to 12 months" points come from the NHS. Pregnancy, Birth and Baby adds that for most babies, especially breastfed babies, it's not until after 6 months that they sleep longer stretches without waking for a feed.
These are patterns across many babies, not deadlines. A breastfed baby who still needs one or two night feeds at 9 or 10 months is well within what Pregnancy, Birth and Baby describes.
How is it different for breastfed and formula-fed babies?
Breastfed babies often keep night feeds for longer, and night feeds are part of how many babies get enough milk across 24 hours. Night feeds also matter for your supply: the ABA explains that frequent feeding removes more milk, which is what helps your body make more. Many parents find that dropping a feed suddenly leaves their breasts uncomfortably full, so go slowly and talk to a breastfeeding helpline (the Australian Breastfeeding Association on 1800 686 268 in Australia, the National Breastfeeding Helpline on 0300 100 0212 in the UK) or your child-health nurse if you have questions.
Formula-fed babies tend to drop night feeds earlier. The AAP gives a rough marker of between 2 and 4 months, or once a baby weighs more than 5.4 kg (12 lb), while noting how much babies vary. Pregnancy, Birth and Baby suggests checking that a formula-fed baby is getting enough formula during the day, made up as recommended — see preparing formula.
Combination-fed babies sit somewhere between the two. If you want to protect your supply, it's worth getting individual advice before dropping a breastfeed at night.
What are the signs a baby may be ready to drop a night feed?
Pregnancy, Birth and Baby describes signs that a baby may be moving towards fewer night feeds:
- waking less often overnight and sleeping for longer stretches
- feeding for a shorter time at night, or taking less from the bottle
- getting more nutrition during the day, which often starts from around 6 months when solids are introduced
It also helps if:
- your baby is growing well at their check-ups
- they're feeding well during the day
- night feeds seem short and sleepy, and your baby settles easily afterwards
If your baby has fed not long before and you're confident they're unlikely to be hungry, Pregnancy, Birth and Baby suggests trying to soothe and reassure them first to see whether they'll resettle without a feed.
When is it better to wait?
Talk to your GP or child-health nurse before cutting night feeds if your baby:
- was born premature or with a low birth weight — the AAP says early babies need close follow-up, and those struggling to gain weight shouldn't go too long between feeds
- isn't gaining weight steadily, or you've been given a feeding plan
- has a health condition, or is unwell or teething at the moment
- is under 6 months and breastfed, or you're worried about your supply
It's also fine to wait simply because it isn't the right time for your family — after a move, a return to work, travel or illness.
Starting solids early won't solve night feeds. The NHS first solid foods guide says waking more at night isn't on its own a sign that a baby is ready for solids. Wait until around 6 months and the usual readiness signs.
How do I start cutting back night feeds?
Pregnancy, Birth and Baby suggests these first steps:
- Make sure your baby is well fed before they settle for the night.
- If breastfeeding, offer both breasts at daytime feeds.
- If formula feeding, make sure your baby is getting enough during the day.
- Overnight, try other soothing and resettling before offering a feed.
- If you have a partner, take turns with night wakings — a different person often makes the change easier.
Keep the night feeds you do give calm. The NHS suggests low lights, a quiet voice, no play, and changing your baby only if they need it. Pregnancy, Birth and Baby adds that you don't need to try to burp a sleeping baby for long.
For detailed tapering methods — shortening feeds, stretching the gap, and what to expect over the first few nights — see the night weaning plan. Some families use a dream feed while they're adjusting.
Keep every sleep safe
However night feeds change, safe sleep stays the same. Safe to Sleep advises putting your baby on their back for every sleep, on a firm, flat surface in their own sleep space, with nothing soft or loose in the cot, and sharing your room for at least the first 6 months. Sofas and armchairs are never safe places to sleep with a baby. If you fall asleep feeding in an adult bed, move your baby back to their own sleep space as soon as you wake.
How can I tell if a feed is hunger or habit?
Pregnancy, Birth and Baby describes a baby who will only settle with a feed as having a sleep association. It says feeding to sleep is only a problem if you'd prefer your baby learned other ways of settling — and if it works for you both, it's fine to continue. If your baby is older than 6 months and will only settle with a feed, it suggests gently supporting other ways of settling, such as responsive settling.
Pregnancy, Birth and Baby also notes that older babies may still wake because of hunger. Many parents find that a baby who takes a full feed and settles quickly still needs it, while a baby who sucks briefly and drifts off may be after comfort.
A week of simple notes — the time of each night feed, roughly how long or how much, and how quickly your baby resettled — makes this easier to judge. It's also useful to bring to your GP or child-health nurse.
When should I get help?
Call your local emergency number (000 in Australia, 999 in the UK, 911 in the US) now if your baby is struggling to breathe, has blue, grey or blotchy skin or lips, is floppy or very hard to wake, has a seizure, or has had no wet nappy in 12 hours. The NHS guide to serious illness also lists a temperature of 38°C (100.4°F) or higher in a baby under 3 months as an emergency.
Get medical advice today (call a health advice line (Pregnancy, Birth and Baby on 1800 882 436 in Australia, NHS 111 in the UK, your pediatrician's after-hours line in the US) or see a GP) if your baby is refusing feeds, has fewer wet nappies than usual, or seems unwell.
Talk to your GP or child-health nurse before dropping night feeds if your baby was premature, has growth concerns or a health condition, or if night waking is wearing you down. If exhaustion is affecting how you feel or cope, reach out to a parenting support service (Tresillian or Karitane in Australia, your health visitor in the UK, your pediatrician's office in the US). If you ever feel you might harm yourself or your baby, call a crisis line (Lifeline on 13 11 14 in Australia, Samaritans on 116 123 in the UK, 988 in the US) or your local emergency number (000 in Australia, 999 in the UK, 911 in the US).
