The arrival of an infant changes the daily lives of adults who have become parents. While some babies fall asleep quickly, others wake for long periods and ask for a bottle before going back to sleep...
But the phenomenon raises ultimate questions:
- When to put baby back to sleep after feeding?
- Should it be extended immediately?
- Or wait until he's digested some of the milk he's been given?
We'll do our best to answer your questions and alleviate your concerns.
CONTENTS :
- A different bedtime ritual depending on your baby's age
- How do you convince your baby that drinking a bottle after bedtime is no longer an option?
- When it comes to bottle-feeding at night, there are a few precautions to remember!
- In short: putting baby to bed after a bottle feeding is not risky if baby is properly supervised.
A different bedtime ritual depending on your baby's age
A baby's bedtime - bottle-fed or not - depends on several factors, the most important of which is undoubtedly age...
Newborns have very different sleep requirements to older babies. Generally speaking, your toddler will need to sleep between 14 and 17 hours a day, whereas a six-month-old baby will need between 12 and 14 hours a day.
When to put a newborn to bed after a bottle-feeding?
Since newborns often feed every two to three hours, they often wake up at night to demand a bottle... Fortunately, they also tend to fall back asleep easily after feeding.
If this is the case, you can keep your baby in your arms for 30 minutes to avoid any risk of reflux. This would require you to change your sleeping child in the middle of the night, which is anything but a healthy activity.
In general, it's important toobserve your baby'sbehavior to best respond to his needs. If your child struggles and protests, this may mean he wants to go back to bed... Rocking him can help calm him down. Otherwise, put him back to bed, but stay by his side for half an hour as a precautionary measure.
When to put a baby under six months to bed after a bottle-feeding?
If your baby is a little older and has started to space out his meals, you may want to give him a little time to digest before putting him back to bed.
Once again, it's advisable towait 30 minutes before putting a baby over three months to bed after each bottle swallowed. This allows him to digest some of the milk and minimizes the risk of regurgitation.
It's also important to note that every baby is different, and some babies may have different sleep preferences. Some babies may prefer to go to bed immediately after eating, while others may need a little more time to digest.
The amount of milk in the bottle can also play a role. If your baby wakes up out of habit and asks for a bottle to reassure himself (and not because he's hungry), it's best to limit the amount of milk taken in to prevent the onset of tummy aches.
How do you convince your baby that drinking a bottle after bedtime is no longer an option?
It's so good to have that warm little bottle warmed by mom or dad at three o'clock in the morning. One man's happiness is another man's misfortune... in this case, the parents'. The first thing to do to get out of this vicious circle is toclearly state the rules with your child.
If necessary, use a large whiteboard or a sheet of paper which you can magnetize on your fridge or frame directly in his room. This conversation can take place as often as necessary, so that baby understands that bottle-feeding after bedtime is no longer an option!
Of course, your child must not be hungry. Or his request will be legitimate. It's therefore important to ensure that evening meals are sufficiently hearty (and appetizing!) to limit the risk of waking up at night.
Les biberons Élhée accompagneront votre bébé de la naissance jusqu'à 24 mois et plus, pour lui permettre une parfaite autonomie, sans risque de casse.
Découvrir notre gamme
When it comes to bottle-feeding at night, there are a few precautions to remember!
For the time being, and until things improve, please observe these simple (but essential) rules to ensure your baby's safety:
1. Connect a baby monitor
A baby monitor is a useful piece of equipment for keeping an eye on what's going on in your child's bedroom. As a reminder, it's advisable to place the cot or cradle in your bedroom for the first six months. But during the day, a baby monitor will reassure you if you're in the living room during naps.
There are connected models with a camera that will give you a view of your child directly on your phone.
Baby monitors generally consist of two units: one that stays in your baby's room, and a portable unit that you can take with you.
Practical, isn't it?
2. Stay close by
Once your baby's bottle has been completely swallowed by your little glutton, you should stay close by after burping. This is to make sure your baby doesn't regurgitate or develop colic due to an accumulation of air in the stomach.
For added comfort and to shorten the passage of time, you can place a comfortable armchair not far from your child's bed. Take the opportunity to relax and read a good unfinished thriller! 🛋️
3. Lay baby flat on his back
Pediatricians and maternity hospitals recommend that you always place your baby on his or her back to minimize the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Never place your baby on its stomach, or on its side, unless you are present.
If, on the other hand, you find your child on his stomach after having placed him on his back, make sure his head is clear. Don't worry too much: a child who can turn in one direction while asleep will be able to return to his original position on his own 😉
4. Clear the space around your sleeping baby
It's also important to ensure that your baby's crib is safe and that there are noobjects or blankets in the crib that could obstruct your baby's airways. Avoid stuffed animals 🧸, comforters and toys until at least six months.
Don't give in to brand marketing either!
Bed towers ❌ whether flat, braided, or in the form of boudins, increase the risk of SIDS drastically. 75% of cases are in fact linked to the presence of soft objects in the child's bed.
5. Choose a bed that complies with standards
The bed you put your baby back to sleep in after each feeding must meet current standards. If you have chosen to invest directly in a crib instead of a cradle, you should be aware that it must be equipped with slats spaced at a maximum of 6.5 cm apart and comply with the NF EN 716 standard.
Montessori beds are suitable for children as young as 3 months. As the base of these beds is flush with the floor, you'll need to bend over more to hold your child.
If your child wakes up frequently, this can quickly become restrictive. On the other hand, as your child gets older, he'll be able to go back to bed on his own, without your help, if the need for a bottle at night persists.
6. Choose anti-regurgitation bottles
If baby drinks at night, the risk of regurgitation is very real, despite all your precautions. Using an anti-regurgitation bottle considerably reduces the risk of developing reflux, which can be painful for baby.
Our medical-grade silicone feeding bottles are healthier than most traditional bottles on the market, because they don't generate microplastic particles. This phenomenon is amplified every time you heat a bottle in the microwave or bain-marie... What's more, 3 sizes are available, so you can feed your baby right up to weaning!
🍒The icingon the cake: the physiological nipple on our bottles gives your child the sensation of breastfeeding, just as if you were breastfeeding.
To discover our range of colorful baby bottles that are as soft as your baby's skin, visit our online shop!
In short: putting baby to bed after a bottle feeding is not risky if baby is properly supervised.
- Generally speaking, bedtime varies according to the infant's age. But a child under six months of age who wakes up at night to take a bottle (which is normal for all infants) should be kept in your arms for around 20 minutes after drinking.
- Don't forget to follow the safety instructions in this article every time you put your baby to bed after a bottle feeding.
- Sometimes the months go by and a child doesn't sleep through the night. If bottle-feeding becomes the only way to get back to sleep, we advise you todiscuss the matter seriously with your child, without scolding, to help him or her grow up. A consultation with a specialized psychologist can also be a temporary solution to improve the situation.
