Weaning Breastfeeds Without Wrecking Sleep

Weaning Breastfeeds Without Wrecking Sleep

Author: Sally Woods and Bec Maher May 19, 2026 Duration: 32:59

Wondering how to wean breastfeeds without undoing all your hard sleep work? Nervous that dropping that cosy bedtime feed might send your great little sleeper back to square one?


Want to subscribe to every ep and enjoy FREE sleep tools? 👉 www.naptrappedpodcast.com


In this episode, Sally and Bec answer a brilliant question from a Camp Snooze member who's approaching her baby's first birthday and wants to phase out breastfeeding as gently as possible — without tanking naps or overnight sleep. They walk through exactly which feed to drop first, how to whittle feeds down gradually, and why your baby's sleep skills will absolutely survive the transition.


What You'll Learn:

• Why the midday milk feed is the first one to phase out (and when to start)

• How to whittle down breastfeeds and bottles gradually so supply adjusts slowly

• The breakfast switcheroo that makes dropping the morning feed surprisingly easy

• Why the bedtime feed is the last to go — and how to handle it without drama

• What to do if your toddler resists the sippy cup at bedtime

• Why your baby's self-settling skills won't disappear when the final feed goes

• How to look after yourself emotionally (and physically) through the weaning process


Chapters:

00:00 Intro

04:00 The question: weaning breastfeeds near 12 months without disrupting sleep

07:55 Which feed to drop first and why the midday feed goes at 11-12 months

12:06 Dropping the morning feed: the breakfast switcheroo strategy

16:00 Managing ritual, emotion, and resistance when changing feeding routines

20:00 Do you need to substitute with formula or toddler milk?

21:20 The bedtime feed: the trickiest one and how to approach it

27:30 Putting it all together: the full step-by-step weaning plan


🎙️ ABOUT NAP TRAPPED

Hosted by sleep consultants Sally Woods (The Sleep Concierge) and Bec Maher (The Sleep Centre), Nap Trapped helps tired parents solve baby sleep challenges with warmth, evidence, and no judgement. Every week we turn your questions into practical solutions—with a side of Aldi chocolate.


Links

đź“© Get updates + exclusive tools: Subscribe www.naptrappedpodcast.com


📸 Follow Sally & Bec on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/thesleepconcierge/

https://www.instagram.com/_thesleepcentre/


🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts


Ever found yourself stuck on the couch, scrolling in the quiet, while your little one finally sleeps? You're not alone, and that's exactly where Nap Trapped finds its groove. Hosted by Australian sleep consultants Sally Woods of The Sleep Concierge and Bec Maher from The Sleep Centre, this podcast meets you in that exhausted, sometimes isolating space. It’s a direct conversation between two experts who are also mums, blending solid, evidence-based strategies with the real-world chaos of family life. They break down the 'why' behind restless nights and short naps, moving beyond rigid rules to offer adaptable, practical solutions that actually fit your day. The tone is all solidarity and zero judgment, recognising that every family's sleep journey is different. You'll hear honest stories, debunk common myths, and get actionable advice that aims to bring more rest to your household, not just your baby. Tune into Nap Trapped for a genuinely helpful mix of professional insight and relatable commiseration, all delivered with a warm, Aussie sensibility. It's the kind of podcast you listen to while you're, well, nap trapped, and finish feeling equipped and understood.
Author: Language: en-au Episodes: 87

Nap Trapped
Podcast Episodes
The Early Rising Protocol: Fix 4-7am Wake-Ups (Step-by-Step) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:31
Want to subscribe to every ep and enjoy FREE sleep tools? 👉 www.naptrappedpodcast.comYou've been up since 5am for three weeks straight. Your baby's early wakes feel impossible to fix, and everyone keeps saying "that's ju…
Why feeding to sleep has a time limit (and what to do instead) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:17:11
Want to subscribe to every ep and enjoy FREE sleep tools? 👉 www.naptrappedpodcast.comHere's the thing about feeding to sleep: it works brilliantly—until suddenly it doesn't. Your baby's waking every 45 minutes, you're th…
Why We Hold Off Breakfast During Sleep Training [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:19
Wondering why your sleep consultant is asking you to skip breakfast while working on night sleep? It sounds backwards, but there's solid science behind it.In this episode, Sally and Bec explain why breakfast is often the…
Sleep Detectives: Disaster Naps Edition [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:28
Want to subscribe to every ep and enjoy FREE sleep tools? 👉 www.naptrappedpodcast.comEveryone says consistency is key. But what happens when your baby's 15-minute daycare nap throws your whole schedule into chaos?This we…
Top 4 Expert Tips For The 4 Month Sleep Regression [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:52
Want to subscribe to every ep and enjoy FREE sleep tools? 👉 www.naptrappedpodcast.comThis week, Sally and Bec tackle the four month sleep regression head-on. If you're in the thick of 45-minute wake-ups or watching your…
The Unspoken Benefits of Sleep Training [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:39
Want to subscribe to every episode and get FREE sleep tools? 👉 www.naptrappedpodcast.comSleep training is usually talked about in terms of wake windows, self-settling, and fewer night wakings. But what parents don’t hear…
Sleep Detectives: 4am Starts at 7 Months, What’s Really Going On? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:24
Want to subscribe to every ep and enjoy FREE sleep tools? 👉 www.naptrappedpodcast.comIt’s our Sleep Detectives episode, where we answer your real-life baby sleep questions (and somehow turn each one into a mini consult).…
Why Up Time ≠ Awake Time [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:01
Want to subscribe to every ep and enjoy FREE sleep tools? 👉 www.naptrappedpodcast.comIf you’re aiming for a 7–7 schedule and your baby wakes at 6:15am, what time do you start the day?From the moment they open their eyes?…
Merry Christmas from Sally & Bec | A Quick Holiday Message [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:32
A quick note from Sally and Bec to wish you a Merry Christmas and happy holidays. Whether today's big or quiet, they hope you get a moment to breathe.They know the season can be exciting and messy, especially when you're…