Is Giving Milk at Night the Right Thing for Your Child?
Casal dels Infants – Giving milk when a child wakes up in the middle of the night is often a spontaneous response from many parents. They may also rush to comfort their child by patting, hugging, or talking to them. However, this approach is actually not recommended, as it can negatively affect the child’s growth and development.
According to Dr. Ian Suryadi Setja, a pediatrician at Tzu Chi Hospital, the period between 11:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m. is a crucial sleep phase for children. During this time, the body produces growth hormone at its peak.
“Nothing should be given during these hours, including giving milk or breast milk, because it can interfere with hormone activity,” said Dr. Ian during a media discussion in Semanggi, Jakarta, on Monday (June 2).
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Growth hormone plays a vital role in increasing height, repairing tissues and cells, regulating metabolism, and balancing muscle and fat composition. Any interruption during this phase may hinder these essential processes.
Instead of immediately approaching and offering milk, parents are encouraged to wait and allow their child to try falling back asleep on their own.
“If the child wakes up suddenly, just wait. Don’t rush in or give any kind of stimulation such as hugs, pats, or talking,” Dr. Ian added.
He explained that many parents mistakenly believe their child wakes up due to hunger. However, in most cases, it is simply a natural part of the sleep cycle. As long as the child is healthy and went to bed full, they are likely to return to sleep without needing anything.
Parents are advised to observe carefully when their child wakes up at night. It’s important to distinguish between genuine hunger and a brief, natural awakening during a sleep cycle. If left alone for two to five minutes, many children will fall back asleep on their own.
If the child continues to cry after that period, parents can comfort them, but without overstimulating. Parents should give milk only if the child clearly shows signs of hunger.
Growth hormone functions best during deep sleep, not when the child is awake or in a semi-conscious state. Therefore, it’s essential to create a consistent and peaceful bedtime routine with minimal interference.
“Let your child sleep soundly. Don’t impose your own instincts to wake or stimulate them unnecessarily, unless you want to risk disrupting their optimal development,” Dr. Ian concluded.
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