Sleep Training a Breastfed Baby Without Weaning
If you’re a breastfeeding mama who’s also desperate for a little more sleep, you might be wondering…
“Do I have to stop breastfeeding to sleep train my baby?”
The short answer? Absolutely not.
Sleep training and breastfeeding are not enemies they can go together, and in many cases, they complement each other beautifully. But… like most things in motherhood, the how matters.
Let’s talk about how to balance both, so you and your baby can thrive.
Here are 3 tips to keep in mind to be able to continue to breastfeed while sleep training.
1. Why When You Feed Matters
One of the biggest shifts that helps breastfeeding moms during sleep training is understanding when in the routine to feed.
Many babies get used to nursing right before falling asleep. It’s cozy, comforting, and makes total sense biologically. For the first few weeks feeding to sleep can help your baby fall asleep. However, after about 12 weeks old I try to encourage parents to feed your baby AFTER they wake up. This pairs so well with the EAT, PLAY, SLEEP Routine!
If you continue to feed and let your baby fall asleep at the breast it can create a strong feed-to-sleep association. This can make it hard for baby to fall asleep or go back to sleep without nursing even if they’re not truly hungry.
I talk to Mom’s all the time that mention that their 5 or 6 month old is waking up 4-5 times a night to snack (most of the time they don’t get a full feeding.) Balancing sleep and breastfeeding work well when your baby gets in a full feeding! Full tummy= sleep!
When you move the feeding to AFTER your baby wakes up then you can get in a really great full feeding.
TIP: Move the feed earlier in your bedtime and naptime routine. This way, baby still gets that precious breastmilk and connection, but they start learning how to fall asleep without relying solely on nursing.
2. Yes, You Can Keep Night Feeds (If Needed!)
Here’s another truth: not all night feeds need to disappear during sleep training.
Especially for babies under 6 months, it’s totally normal to keep 1–2 night feeds IF they still need the calories.
I believe that weaning should happen when you are ready. If you want to start a gentle sleep training and keep breastfeeding I support that and will make a plan that helps you feel comfortable moving forward.
When your baby wakes up in the middle of the night the goal is to respond intentionally:
- If your baby wakes and is truly hungry? Go ahead and feed.
- If they’re just looking for comfort to fall back asleep? You can gently teach them other ways to soothe.
That means stretching night feeds can be totally okay and your milk supply won’t tank.
In fact, some babies naturally start sleeping longer stretches, and your body will usually adjust beautifully.
Your baby is unique, and your feeding goals matter. We can shape sleep in a way that honors your breastfeeding journey, not interrupts it.
3. Poor Sleep Affects Your Milk Supply!
Here’s something not many people talk about: your sleep matters, too.
Sleep deprivation doesn’t just make you feel exhausted and foggy, it can also have a real impact on your milk supply.
Lack of sleep affects your hormones especially prolactin (the one that helps you make milk). If your body is running on fumes for days or weeks, it may start producing less milk than your baby needs.
Plus, when you’re overtired, it’s harder to stay hydrated, eat well, and take care of you, all important pieces of the breastfeeding puzzle.
So if you’re struggling to get more than a few hours a night, it’s okay to say,
“I need help. I want to protect my milk supply and my sanity.”
You’re not selfish, the human body needs sleep!
If you have more questions about what gentle sleep training looks like, schedule a information call here and let’s chat about what next steps are best for you and your baby.