Night Weaning: Is Reduced Milk Intake in Infants Acceptable?

Night weaning; however, the total milk volume decreases?

Hello Doctor, my baby is currently 2 months and 16 days old (5.1 kg) and has recently started sleeping through the night.
He drinks around 10:00 to 10:30 PM and wakes up the next morning between 6:00 and 7:00 AM for a feeding.
Before he started sleeping through the night, he was fed 6 times a day, averaging 160 cc per feeding, with the last meal before bed being 180 cc.
His daily intake averaged between 800 and 930 cc.
After he started sleeping through the night, he is now fed 5 times a day, still averaging 160 cc per feeding, with the last meal before bed remaining at 180 cc.
His daily intake has now averaged between 720 and 800 cc.
This has resulted in a decrease in his total intake, and since the baby is difficult to manage, he currently sleeps about 12 to 15 hours a day.
Is the reduction in milk intake acceptable, or should it just stay within the average range? Is sleep duration more critical than milk intake?

A-Liang, 0~9 year old female. Ask Date: 2021/04/22

Dr. Xiao Kaiwen reply Pediatrics

If weight gain is normal (5.1 kg at two and a half months is considered normal), and urine output is also normal (more than six times a day with only wet diapers that are not yellow or concentrated), it indicates that the milk intake is sufficient.
There is no need to strictly adhere to a specific daily milk volume (in fact, an average of 720 to 800 cc per day is also normal).
Therefore, it is not necessary to supplement with milk during sleep, as sleep is also very important.
Generally, the need to supplement with nighttime feedings arises only when weight gain is not ideal.

Reply Date: 2021/04/22

More Info

When it comes to night weaning and the reduction of milk intake in infants, it's important to consider several factors, including the infant's age, weight, overall health, and nutritional needs. In your case, your infant is 2 months and 16 days old, weighing 5.1 kg, and has recently begun to sleep through the night. This is a significant developmental milestone, and it’s common for infants to start sleeping longer stretches as they grow.

From the information provided, your infant was previously consuming an average of 800-930 cc of milk daily, which is within the recommended range for infants of that age. After starting to sleep through the night, the intake has decreased to an average of 720-800 cc, which is still acceptable. The key point here is that as long as your infant is gaining weight appropriately, producing a sufficient number of wet diapers (at least six per day), and appears healthy and content, the reduction in milk intake can be considered acceptable.

It's also essential to recognize that sleep is crucial for an infant's growth and development. Adequate sleep supports cognitive development, emotional regulation, and physical health. In many cases, infants will naturally adjust their feeding patterns as they establish a more regular sleep schedule. Therefore, if your baby is sleeping well and seems satisfied with the amount of milk they are receiving, it may not be necessary to force additional feedings during the night.

In terms of nutritional needs, infants typically require a certain amount of calories and nutrients to support their growth. For a 2-month-old, the general recommendation is about 150-200 cc of formula or breast milk per kilogram of body weight per day. Given your baby's weight of 5.1 kg, this translates to approximately 765-1020 cc of milk daily. Your current intake of 720-800 cc is on the lower end but still within an acceptable range, especially if your baby is thriving.

If you notice any signs of hunger, such as fussiness or waking frequently during the night, it may be worth considering whether your baby needs more milk. However, if they are content and sleeping well, it is likely that they are adjusting to their new routine.
In summary, the reduction in milk intake during night weaning is generally acceptable as long as your infant is healthy, gaining weight appropriately, and producing enough wet diapers. Sleep is indeed a critical factor in your baby's overall well-being, and it is essential to strike a balance between adequate nutrition and sufficient rest. If you have any concerns about your baby's feeding patterns or nutritional intake, consulting with a pediatrician or a pediatric nutritionist can provide personalized guidance tailored to your child's specific needs.

Similar Q&A

Understanding Infant Feeding Patterns: Daytime vs. Nighttime Milk Intake

Hello Dr. Hsiao: My baby is currently 4 months and 23 days old and is drinking Nestlé hydrolyzed formula. At night, he drinks every three to four hours and finishes 120cc of milk each time. However, during the day, he only drinks 90cc every four hours, and sometimes even just 60c...

Dr. Xiao Kaiwen reply Pediatrics
It is possible that the external stimuli during the day are new and stimulating for infants whose brain neurons are rapidly developing, leading to increased curiosity about their surroundings and a decreased desire to feed. If the infant's activity level is normal and their ...

Managing Irregular Feeding Patterns in Infants: Tips for Parents

Hello Dr. Hsiao: My child is currently one and a half months old and consumes about 100-120 CC of milk every three hours. However, every night around 11 or 12 PM, the feeding amount is significantly larger, and unlike during the day, he doesn't fall asleep right after eating...

Dr. Xiao Kaiwen reply Pediatrics
Dear Netizen, In response to your question, the interval between feedings for infants generally lengthens as they grow older. This is because the amount of milk a baby consumes at each feeding tends to increase with age, allowing for longer intervals between nighttime feedings. ...

Addressing Infant Feeding Challenges: Tips for Parents on Milk Intake

Hello Dr. Zhang, My son is currently 4 months old. He has been fed a combination of breast milk and formula (Nestlé hydrolyzed formula) from a bottle. However, since he was 2 months old, his milk intake has decreased. Initially, he could consume 90-120 ml, but now he only takes ...

Dr. Zhang Wenwang reply Pediatrics
Breastfeeding directly stimulates an increase in milk supply, and breast milk is easily digestible and absorbable. On average, babies may feel hungry every two hours. There is no particular formula that is superior; as long as the baby is feeding and gaining weight consistently, ...

Reducing Milk Intake in Toddlers: When to Transition and Alternatives

Hello, Director: I have a few questions to ask. My baby is currently 1 year and 6 months old, and I have noticed a decrease in her milk intake. Most of the time, she can only finish about 150cc, averaging 3-4 milk feedings a day. However, her intake of other foods is quite good. ...

Dr. Lin Wenxian reply Pediatrics
Dear Deep Blue, Dr. Lin Wen-Hsien, the Director of Pediatrics at Tainan Hospital, Department of Health, Executive Yuan, would like to inform you that after the age of one, children can eat foods similar to adults, with an emphasis on solid foods. Milk consumption should be reduc...