Feeding your baby at night

Because babies have such tiny tummies, ‘little-and-often feeds’ are normal – including through the night. Have a look at your baby’s clenched fist: that’s about the size of their stomach!

Keeping your baby close

For some parents, night-time feeding can be easier with baby in the same room. You can easily reach them and you are more likely to hear their hunger cues before they get too upset. Babies tend to cry less when they are close to mum or dad – which may mean a little more sleep!

In addition, having your baby in the same room as you has been shown to lower the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS): having your baby sleep in a cot in the same room as you until they are 6 months old is a key piece of advice given to new parents.

Visit BASIS (Baby Sleep Information Source) for more information on room-sharing:

Keeping disturbance to a minimum

Creating a “sleep sanctuary” for your baby will help with sleeping and night-time feeding. If you can, avoid turning on bright lights when they wake up during the night.

Try not to change your baby’s nappy or clothes unless really necessary, as this can over stimulate them and make re-settling harder.

Keeping noise and talking to a minimum will also help establish the difference between day-time and night-time feeds. If you’re breastfeeding, learning to feed lying down can also help and allow you to continue to rest.