The arrival of a newborn completely disrupts the daily routine of adults who become parents. While some babies quickly sleep through the night, others may wake up for quite some time and then ask for a bottle before falling back asleep…
But this phenomenon raises some final questions:
- When should you put your baby back to bed after a bottle?
- Should you lay them down immediately?
- Or should you wait until they've digested part of the milk given?
We’ll do our best to answer your questions to help ease your concerns.
SUMMARY:
- A bedtime routine that varies depending on your baby's age
- How to convince your baby that drinking a bottle after bedtime is over?
- If baby needs a nighttime bottle, a few precautions should be kept in mind!
- In summary: putting baby to bed after a bottle is not risky if baby is properly supervised
A bedtime routine that varies depending on your baby's age
The time you put your baby to bed—bottle or no bottle—depends on several factors, with age being by far the most important…
Newborns have very different sleep needs compared to older babies. Generally, your little one will need to sleep between 14 and 17 hours a day, while a six-month-old will require 12 to 14 hours of sleep each day.
When to put a newborn to bed after a bottle?
Since newborns often feed every two to three hours, it’s common for them to wake up at night and ask for a bottle… Fortunately, they also tend to fall asleep easily again after feeding.
If that’s the case, you can hold your baby in your arms for 30 minutes to avoid any risk of reflux. This would otherwise force you to change your sleeping child in the middle of the night—a task that’s anything but easy.
In general, it’s important to observe your baby’s behavior to best respond to their needs. If your child is squirming and protesting, it may mean they want to go back to their bed… Rocking them may help calm them down. Otherwise, lay them in their bed but stay at their side for about half an hour as a precaution.
When to put a baby under six months to bed after a bottle?
If your baby is a little older and has started to stretch out the time between feedings, you might want to give them a bit of time to digest before putting them back to bed.
Again, it’s recommended to wait 30 minutes before laying down a baby over three months after each bottle they finish. This gives them some time to digest the milk and minimizes the risk of spit-up.
It's also important to note that every baby is different and some may have different preferences when it comes to sleep. Some babies may prefer to be put down 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 by habit and asks for a bottle to be comforted (and not due to hunger), it’s better to limit the quantity of milk taken to prevent potential stomach pain.
How to convince your baby that drinking a bottle after bedtime is over?
That warm bottle prepared by mom or dad at three in the morning is such a treat. One person’s happiness is sometimes another’s problem—usually the parents. The first thing to do to break out of this vicious cycle is to clearly state the rules with your child.
If needed, use a big whiteboard or a sheet of paper stuck to the fridge or even framed in their bedroom. This conversation can be repeated as often as necessary, so your baby understands clearly that bottles after bedtime are no longer an option!
Of course, your child shouldn’t be hungry. Otherwise, their request is legitimate. It’s important to make sure that evening meals are filling enough (and appetizing!) to minimize the risk of waking up hungry at night.
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If baby needs a nighttime bottle, a few precautions should be kept in mind!
In the meantime, before things improve, be sure to follow these few simple (but essential) rules to ensure your baby’s safety:
1. Plug in a baby monitor
The baby monitor is a useful device to keep an eye on what’s happening in your child’s room. For reference, it’s recommended to keep your baby’s crib or bassinet in your room for the first six months. During the day, though, using a baby monitor will give you peace of mind if you’re in the living room during naps.
There are connected models with cameras that allow you to see your baby directly on your phone.
A baby monitor generally consists of two units: one that stays in the baby's room and a portable unit that you can carry with you.
Convenient, isn’t it?
2. Stay close by
Once your baby’s bottle has been fully finished by your little glutton, you should stay near them after you’ve burped them. This observation time allows you to make sure baby does not spit up or develop colic from swallowed air in the stomach.
For more comfort and to make the time go faster, you can put a comfortable chair near your baby’s bed. Take the opportunity to relax and read a good thriller you never finished! 🛋️
3. Lay baby flat and on their back
Pediatricians and maternity wards recommend always laying your baby on their back to minimize the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Never put your baby on their stomach, or on their side, without being present.
If, on the other hand, you find your child on their stomach after you placed them on their back, make sure that their head is unobstructed. Don’t worry too much: a child who can roll one way while sleeping is able to get back to their original position by themselves. 😉
4. Clear the space around your sleeping baby
It’s also important to make sure your baby’s crib is safe, with no objects or blankets in the crib that could block your baby's airway. Avoid stuffed animals 🧸, comforters, and toys until at least six months of age.
Also, don’t give in to marketing pressure from brands!
Crib bumpers ❌, whether flat, braided, or in sausage form, drastically increase the risk of SIDS. In fact, 75% of cases are linked to the presence of soft objects in the child's bed.
5. Choose a crib that meets current safety standards
The crib where you put your baby back to sleep after each bottle must meet current standards. If you chose to invest directly in a crib with bars rather than a bassinet, make sure the bars are spaced no more than 2.6 inches (6.5 cm) apart and that the crib complies with NF EN 716 standards.
Montessori beds may be suitable for the most precocious children in their learning as early as 3 months old. The bases of these beds are placed at floor level, so you’ll have to bend down further to pick up your child.
If your baby wakes often, this can quickly become inconvenient. On the other hand, as your child grows, they’ll be able to get back into bed on their own at night if the need to have a bottle persists.
6. Choose anti-reflux bottles
If your baby drinks at night, the risk of spit-up is present despite all your precautions. Using an anti-reflux bottle greatly reduces the risk of your baby developing reflux which can be painful for them.
Our models of medical-grade silicone bottles are healthier than most traditional bottles on the market because they do not generate microplastic particles—a phenomenon made worse every time you heat a bottle in the microwave or a double boiler… Plus, three sizes are available so you can feed baby until weaning!
🍒Icing on the cake: the physiological nipple on our bottles gives your child the sensation of breastfeeding, as if you were nursing them.
To discover our range of colorful bottles, soft like your baby’s skin, visit our online store!
In summary: putting baby to bed after a bottle is not risky if baby is properly supervised
- In general, bedtime varies depending on the baby's age. But for a baby under six months old who wakes up at night for a bottle (which is normal for all infants), it’s best to keep them in your arms for about 20 minutes after feeding.
- Don’t forget to apply the safety instructions outlined in this article every time you put your baby to bed after a bottle.
- Sometimes, months go by and a child still doesn’t sleep through the night. If the bottle becomes the only way to fall back asleep, we advise you to discuss it seriously with your child—without scolding—to help them grow. A consultation with a specialist child psychologist may also be a temporary solution to improve the situation.
