It’s a question so many tired parents find themselves asking in the middle of the night “When can I stop feeding my baby overnight?”

First of all, deep breath, you’re not alone in wondering this. The good news? There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, and that’s actually a good thing.

Some babies are magical unicorn sleepers who sleep right through the night without needing a feed from a very young age. If that’s your little one, amazing! But if your baby still wakes up wanting milk at 10pm and 3am, don’t worry, that’s totally normal too.

Why Do Night Feeds Matter?

In the first year of life, milk (whether breast or formula) is your baby’s main source of nutrition. Solid foods start coming into play, but milk is still the MVP for calories, nutrients, and growth. Some babies will naturally start dropping night feeds on their own, often gradually, without you needing to do much. Others might still need that extra feed overnight right up until 12 months of age. Both are completely okay.

When Can You Start Weaning Night Feeds?

Once your baby is over 12 months old, fully established on solids, and growing steadily, you can consider weaning off night feeds. But here’s the key: you don’t have to. If your baby still wants a night feed and it’s not disrupting your sleep or your life, there’s no rush.

If it’s not a problem for you, it’s not a problem.

Before 12 months of age if you feel that your baby is just comfort sucking for the overnight feeds and not taking in a full feed, or it’s starting to impact their morning feed, you also could drop the overnight feed.

What Does a Typical Night Feeding Pattern Look Like?

Every baby is different, but here's a general idea of what night feeding might look like:

• Newborns (0-3 months): Feeding on demand overnight is expected.
• Around 4 months: Many babies settle into about 2 night feeds.
• By 7–8 months: Some may drop to 1 night feed.
• Up to 12 months: It’s still normal for some babies to want a night feed.

The bottom line is, sleep and feeding are deeply personal and often emotional topics for families. Trust your instincts, keep an eye on your baby’s growth and cues, and remember, there’s no “right” timeline. Whether your baby is sleeping through or still waking up for a bottle or breast, you’re doing great.