How to Put a Baby to Sleep Without Nursing

Co-authored by Corey Fish, MD

Last Updated: September 17, 2021 References

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]
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Research 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

1
Recognize daily sleep requirements. Depending on how old your baby is, she needs a different amount of sleep.^{[2]
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Expert Source

Corey Fish, MD
Pediatrician & Chief Medical Officer, BraveCare
Expert Interview. 17 March 2020.}^{[3]
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Research 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]
X
Expert Source

Corey Fish, MD
Pediatrician & Chief Medical Officer, BraveCare
Expert Interview. 17 March 2020.}^{[5]
X
Trustworthy Source
Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}
- Consider naps, feedings, and your baby’s age when fixing her bedtime.^{[6]
  X
  Research source} 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.^{[7]
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- You may need to tweak the schedule occasionally to accommodate activities or other factors like illness.^{[8]
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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.^{[9]
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Mayo Clinic
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- Begin winding down at least two hours before your baby’s bedtime.
- Dampen any loud noises.^{[10]
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- Dim the lights around the house and especially in your baby’s room. This lets her know that it’s time to sleep.^{[11]
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- Speak to your baby and rub her back to relax and reassure her if she is fussy.^{[12]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  Mayo Clinic
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  Go to source}
4
Have a bedtime routine. Follow a nightly bedtime ritual that does not include nursing.^{[13]
X
Trustworthy Source
Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go 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.^{[14]
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Mayo Clinic
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- Read or sing to your baby to help relax him.^{[15]
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- Give him a warm bath and massage to enhance relaxation.^{[16]
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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.^{[17]
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Mayo Clinic
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- Set the room temperature between 65 and 75°F (18.3 to 23.8°C).^{[18]
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- Remove anything from your baby’s room that may stimulate her, such as electronics.^{[19]
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- 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.^{[20]
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- Use a white noise machine to dampen noises that may otherwise wake your baby.^{[21]
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  Research source}^{[22]
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  Expert Source
  
  Corey Fish, MD
  Pediatrician & Chief Medical Officer, BraveCare
  Expert Interview. 17 March 2020.}
- Remove blankets and soft items from the crib or bassinet to prevent suffocation.^{[23]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Corey Fish, MD
  Pediatrician & Chief Medical Officer, BraveCare
  Expert Interview. 17 March 2020.}^{[24]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  Mayo Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  Go 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.^{[25]
X
Trustworthy Source
Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source} This can also reduce the amount of nighttime care you provide.^{[26]
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Mayo Clinic
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- Place your baby on his back to sleep.^{[27]
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- 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.^{[28]
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Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
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- 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

Part 2 of 2:

Stretching Out Feedings

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.^{[29]
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- Babies generally do not require nighttime feedings once they weigh 11 pounds.^{[30]
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- Newborns need to eat more often and generally sleep for up to three hours in between feedings.^{[31]
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  Research 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. ^{[32]
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- 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.^{[33]
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- Talk to your doctor if you have any questions about what is feasible.^{[34]
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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.^{[35]
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- 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.^{[36]
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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.^{[37]
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- The extra sips may have the added benefit of getting you a little more sleep.^{[38]
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- 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.^{[39]
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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.^{[40]
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- 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.^{[41]
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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.^{[42]
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- Suckle your baby for two minutes less per breast over the course of a week.^{[43]
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- You may need longer than a week to eliminate your baby’s need to nurse for sleep.^{[44]
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- 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.^{[45]
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Research source} Gradually increase how much you nurse your baby during daytime feedings until she doesn’t require nursing to sleep.^{[46]
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- Suckle your baby for a few minutes more per breast every day.^{[47]
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- Avoid putting cereal in her bottle or giving her solids too early, which can be detrimental to a baby’s health.^{[48]
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  Research source} Most experts recommend starting solids at around six months.
7
Give your baby a pacifier. 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).^{[49]
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Trustworthy Source
Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go 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.^{[50]
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Trustworthy Source
Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go 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.^{[51]
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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.^{[52]
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- Studies have shown that co-sleeping increases the risk for SIDS, suffocation, or strangulation.^{[53]
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