 Is My Baby waking because she is hungry?We’re all willing to do whatever it takes to ensure that our babies are properly nourished, obviously, but as anyone who’s been through this glorious journey of motherhood will tell you, kids are shrewd. They’re unimaginably clever. They will find ways to get what they want, and they will repeat them relentlessly. Which is not their fault, obviously. They’re just working off of instinct. They know what they like, and at a young age, they like mom— a lot. I’m talking all mom, all the time. You are to your baby what Pinterest is to middle-aged homeowners. Too much is never enough. And given the fact that they really only have one method of communicating, if Mom’s not around and they don’t think that’s cool, they fire up their lungs, and they let out a cry. However, obviously, they don’t only cry because they want Mom. They cry because they’re uncomfortable, or because they’ve got a dirty diaper, or because they’re too hot or too cold, and they cry because they’re hungry. So when they wake up in the middle of the night and start crying, it’s tough to determine whether they need to eat or just want to see Mom back in the room.  I’m not trying to tell you that you shouldn’t respond to your baby’s crying. You know your baby better than anyone, and I imagine you can tell when something needs to be addressed based on the decibel level, intensity, pitch, and duration. But having said that, if your baby is waking up seven or eight times a night and insisting that you come in and rock her back to sleep, which can have a profound impact on everybody’s sleep, including hers. Many babies have developed a dependency on nursing, rocking, sucking, and so on in order to get to sleep, and it’s not something they can overcome in 15 or 20 minutes. Solving that issue requires some real work and a firm commitment from you, but we can discuss sleep training in a minute. First things first, here are a few things to consider when you’re trying to determine this oh-so-prevalent parental riddle. • IS BABY UNDER SIX MONTHS OLD? Up until about the six-month mark, babies typically require at least one nighttime feeding. Their tummies are small, they haven’t started solid food yet, and formula and breast milk digest fairly quickly, so there’s a good chance they’re going to get a case of the munchies during the night. This isn’t the case for all babies, obviously. Some infants sleep through the night without a feed from a very early age and then pig out during the day, but generally speaking, you can expect to be summoned for a nighttime feeding up until babies hit about six months.  • IS BABY EATING ENOUGH DURING THE DAY? Once baby’s capable of sleeping through the night without a feed, you need to ensure they’re getting the calories they need during their daytime hours. The best way I’ve found to make this switch is to throw in an extra feed during the day or by adding an ounce or two to each bottle throughout the day. This is also a great time to think about introducing solid foods. The good news here is that baby’s body will typically adjust over a night or two to start taking in those additional calories during the daytime once they’re no longer getting them at night. Just a quick but SUPER IMPORTANT reminder... Before you attempt to make any changes to your baby’s feeding schedule, talk to your pediatrician. Nighttime sleep is awesome, but calories are essential. If your little one is underweight or not growing as fast as they should be, it might not be a good time to wean out night feedings, so again, chat with your doctor. • IS BABY FALLING ASLEEP QUICKLY WHEN YOU FEED THEM? I’m sure you’re familiar with this scenario. Baby starts crying 45 minutes after you put her down; you go in and offer a feed, which she eagerly accepts; she takes about three-quarters of an ounce, then promptly passes out in the middle of things. If this is happening frequently, it’s a good sign that your little one’s feeding for comfort instead of hunger. Genuinely hungry babies will usually eat until they’re full. In contrast, those who are feeding for comfort tend to drift off pretty quickly once they’ve gotten what they’re looking for. • DOES BABY SLEEP FOR A GOOD STRETCH AFTER FEEDING? If baby does take a full feed at night, she should be able to sleep for around 3-4 hours afterwards. An average sleep cycle for babies around the 6-month mark is somewhere in the 45minute - 1-hour range, so if they’re waking up around that long after they eat, it’s likely that they’re dependent on the sucking and soothing actions of your feeding routine to get to sleep.  • WILL THEY GO BACK TO SLEEP WITHOUT A FEED? Falling asleep while you’re hungry is tough, regardless of your age. Your brain recognizes hunger as a priority and will stay alert until the need is met or until you’re exhausted enough that the need to sleep overrides the need to eat. So if your baby really is hungry, they usually won’t go back to sleep very easily until they’ve been fed. Suppose they nod off after five or ten minutes of crying. In that case, that’s a pretty reliable sign that they were just looking for some help getting back to sleep and not actually in need of a feed. • DOES BABY FALL ASLEEP INDEPENDENTLY?
Here lies the linchpin. The cornerstone of the whole equation is right here. Can your baby fall asleep on their own? If you can put your baby down in her crib while she’s still awake, leave the room, and have baby fall asleep without any help from you, without a pacifier, or any other kind of outside assistance. In that case, those nighttime cries are far more likely to mean that she genuinely needs a hand with something when she wakes up crying at night. Determining whether your baby’s hungry at night is obviously a complicated situation. Calories are vital, but so is sleep, so we typically end up paralyzed trying to balance the importance of the two. This tightrope is immeasurably easier to walk once you’ve taught your baby the skills they need to fall asleep on their own. Once the habit of feeding to sleep is broken, you can feel much more confident that their requests for a nighttime feed are out of necessity, not just a way to grab a few extra minutes with mom. And, as always, if you’re looking for some help teaching your little one those essential sleep skills, I’ve got you covered. - Erin Neri, BA. Psychology, Certified Pediatric Sleep Consultant, Infant Mental Health, Integrated Feeding Specialist  Saying Bye to Bottles: Transition Tips for Toddlers A Parents GuideWhen to Ditch the Bottle: A Guide for Parents. As a Certified Pediatric Sleep Consultant, one of the most common questions I receive from parents is about when to transition their child from a bottle to a cup. This milestone can be both exciting and challenging. Understanding the right age and reasons for making this change can help ensure a smooth transition for your child and support their overall health and development. The Recommended Age The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that parents start the transition from bottle to cup at around 12 months of age. By 16 months, most children should be fully weaned off the bottle. This timeframe is not only ideal for encouraging developmental milestones but also for preventing potential health issues associated with prolonged bottle use. Why Make the Switch? Dental Health Prolonged bottle use, especially with milk or sugary drinks, can lead to tooth decay. According to a study published in the Journal of Pediatrics, toddlers who use a bottle beyond 12 months are at a higher risk for developing cavities. The sugar in milk and juice can pool around the teeth, creating an environment for bacteria to thrive. Oral Development Extended bottle use can affect the development of a child’s oral muscles and palate. The sucking motion required for bottle feeding is different from that used for drinking from a cup. A study from the American Dental Association highlights that long-term bottle use can contribute to issues such as misaligned teeth and improper jaw development. Encouraging Independence Transitioning to a cup is a significant step towards independence for your child. It encourages the development of fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Using a cup requires different muscle movements, which are crucial for speech development and overall motor skills. Nutritional Balance Children who rely heavily on bottle feeding might consume excessive amounts of milk, which can lead to iron deficiency anemia. A Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition study found that toddlers drinking more than 24 ounces of milk daily are at a higher risk of iron deficiency anemia. By transitioning to a cup, you can help ensure your child is receiving a balanced diet with a variety of nutrients. Bottle as a Sleep Prop Many parents use bottles as part of the bedtime routine, which can turn the bottle into a sleep prop. This dependency can interfere with the development of independent sleep skills. Eliminating the bedtime bottle encourages healthier sleep habits and self-soothing techniques. How to Transition Start Gradually Begin by introducing a sippy cup with water during meals. Allow your child to explore and play with the cup to become familiar with it. Reduce Bottle Use Gradually decrease the number of bottles offered, starting with daytime bottles. Replace them with cups during meals and snacks. Offer Positive Reinforcement Praise and encourage your child when they use the cup. Positive reinforcement can make the transition smoother and more enjoyable. Consistency is Key Be consistent with the transition. If you decide to eliminate the bedtime bottle, stick to it. Offer comfort in other ways, such as through bedtime stories or cuddles. Lead by Example Children often mimic their parents. Drink from a cup in front of your child to show them it’s the normal way to consume beverages. References
AuthorErin Neri - Certified Pediatric Sleep Consultant and Owner of To The Moon and Back Sleep Consulting since 2016.  Once your baby reaches six months old, nighttime feedings often become less about nutritional necessity and more about comfort and habit. This is an ideal time to begin transitioning your baby’s calorie intake from night to day. Meaning that it's time for Night Weaning. Understanding the biology of how a baby’s body regulates calorie needs can help make this transition smoother and ensure that your baby continues to thrive. The Role of Caloric Intake in Baby’s Growth Biological Basis of Caloric Regulation Babies are excellent at self-regulating their calorie intake. Research shows that, much like adults, if they consume fewer calories at one point in the day, they tend to compensate by eating more at another time to meet their energy requirements. This innate ability is crucial as it helps maintain their growth and development trajectory. Caloric Needs and Development As infants grow, their energy needs per pound of body weight decrease, but the total amount of calories they need increases as they get larger and more active. By the time a baby is six months old, they are typically ready to start solid foods, which helps them meet their increasing nutritional demands. Transitioning Nighttime Calories to Daytime: Night Weaning Step 1: Calories Missed at Night equal Calories Made Up During the Day When we begin to sleep train, it is often recommended that we reduce or eliminate all nighttime feedings. This will help ensure that the baby is not confused by the new expectations in the night and learns to sleep through without consuming calories. Eliminating nighttime feeds often concerns parents, but the reality is that the baby’s body will demand this calorie deficit to be made up the next day. Usually through more oz in a bottle, a more extended nursing session or more solid food at each meal. It’s not about pulling nighttime feed but more about reorganizing calorie intake. Step 2: Increase Daytime Feeding Opportunities Offer more frequent daily feedings to compensate for the reduced calorie intake at night. This can include more opportunities to breastfeed or bottle-feed and introducing nutrient-dense solid foods if your baby is ready for them. Step 3: Observe and Adapt Monitor your baby’s response to these changes. Look for signs of hunger and fullness, and be flexible in your feeding schedule. Babies may need time to adjust their hunger cues, so pay close attention to their needs. Step 4: Establish a Consistent Routine As your baby begins to adapt, establish a consistent daytime feeding routine. This helps set their internal clock to expect nourishment during the day rather than at night, aiding in better sleep patterns for both babies and parents. The Science Behind Calorie Shifting The concept of shifting calorie intake is backed by understanding that a baby’s metabolic rate is adaptable. During the first year of life, an infant’s metabolic rate is highly responsive. This adaptability ensures they can meet their energy needs through varying feeding patterns. As nighttime calories decrease, their body adjusts to absorb and utilize more nutrients during the day. This is why consistent daytime feeding becomes crucial in maintaining adequate growth and nutritional status. Ensuring Adequate Nutrition As you work on transitioning your baby’s feeding schedule, it’s essential to ensure they receive a balanced intake of nutrients. If you’re introducing solids, include a variety of foods to cover the nutritional spectrum, such as iron-rich foods, which are important at this stage of development. Conclusion Transitioning your baby from night to day feedings is not just about reducing nighttime interruptions — it’s about aligning their eating patterns with their natural developmental changes. By understanding the biological science behind calorie regulation and providing appropriate nutrition during the day, you can help facilitate this transition smoothly, ensuring your baby continues to receive the energy they need to grow healthy and strong. References:
 AuthorErin Neri - Certified Pediatric Sleep Consultant and Owner of To The Moon and Back Sleep Consulting since 2016. |
To The Moon and Back Sleep ConsultingProviding families the tools & support they need to get their little ones sleeping through the night and napping like champs! Everyone has more fun when they are well rested! 
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ADA COMPLIANCE PRIVACY POLICY