One of the biggest struggles new parents face is getting enough sleep while making sure their baby is fed and rested. Enter the “dream feed”—a strategy that can help extend your baby’s sleep at night and give you more hours of sleep. But what is a dream feed and how can it help you and your baby?
In this post we’ll go over everything you need to know about dream feeds, how to do them and the pros and cons.
Key Takeaways
- Dream feeds can help extend your baby’s sleep: A dream feed is given while your baby is still drowsy, helping them stay full longer and reducing the likelihood of waking up during the night due to hunger.
- Timing and technique matter: Successful dream feeds rely on feeding your baby at the right time and keeping the environment calm and quiet to avoid fully waking them up.
- It’s not a one-size-fits-all solution: While dream feeds work for many families, some babies may not respond as well, and you should be ready to adjust based on your baby’s needs and developmental stage.
- Give it more than one night: As with anything that you try or introduce to your baby, be consistent and give it some time. I recommend giving it about a week to get a clear picture of whether it’s beneficial or not.
What is a Dream Feed?
A dream feed is when you feed your baby when they are still asleep or very drowsy, usually between 10pm and 11pm before you go to bed yourself. Generally at least three hours after their last feed. The idea is that by filling their tummies you can prevent your baby from waking up hungry during the night and get longer stretches of sleep.
For many parents, dream feeding is a lifesaver. It’s an opportunity to feed your baby one more time, ideally before they would wake up for it, it can extend their nighttime sleep and you can get to bed earlier. I don’t recommend introducing a dream feed until your baby reaches around 8 months of age.
The Science Behind Dream Feeding
Dream feeding works by topping up your baby’s milk intake when they are half asleep so they don’t wake up hungry in the early hours of the night. By feeding your baby when they are drowsy you can often stretch out the time between feeds and your baby will sleep longer into the night.
When you dream feed your baby you are essentially synchronising their feeding schedule with their sleep cycle. Babies can wake overnight for feeds until around 1 year of age, some wake up more frequently during the night for feeds. By introducing a dream feed with your older baby you are trying to pre-empt those wake-ups. This can be especially helpful for babies who wake in the early hours of the night out of hunger.
Parents ask, how do you dream feed? It’s simple: pick up your baby while they are still asleep, gently offer the breast or bottle and let them feed while they are relaxed. The goal is to feed without fully waking them up.
Common Myths About Dream Feeding
There are many myths surrounding dream feeding that can confuse new parents. Let’s bust a few:
Myth1 : Dream feeds will disrupt my baby’s sleep?
Reality: Dream feeds are designed to extend your baby’s sleep not disrupt it. As long as you keep the environment calm and quiet you should be able to feed your baby without fully waking them.
Myth 2: Dream feeding will overfeed my baby?
Reality: Babies are good at regulating their intake. If your baby isn’t hungry they won’t feed much during a dream feed but if they are they can help prevent hunger driven wake-ups later.
Myth 3: Is dream feeding safe?
Reality: Dream feeding is generally safe if done correctly. If you are bottle feeding, always make sure you are holding your baby during the feed and not giving them a bottle lying flat in the cot. This could pose as a choking hazard and increase the risk of ear infections.
How to Dream Feed: A Step by Step Guide
If you’re ready to try dream feeding here’s how to do it step by step:
- Timing is everything: Plan for the dream feed to fall around 10-11pm, around 3hrs after your baby’s last feed.
- Keep it dark: Approach your baby in a dark or dimly lit room to avoid stimulating them.
- Pick up gently: Without fully waking your baby, pick them up from the cot. Move slowly and calmly.
- Offer the breast or bottle: Bring the nipple or bottle to your baby’s lips and let them latch or suckle. Since they are drowsy they will feed more slowly than usual.
- Burp your baby: Then place your baby back in the cot without waking them.
Dream feeding can make a big difference to your baby’s overnight sleep. Many parents find this technique helps reduce the number of nighttime wake-ups. If you are bottle feeding and have a partner, this is a great way for them to support you overnight by offering the feed so you can get to bed earlier!
When to Dream Feed
So when can you start dream feeding? I recommend introducing a dream feed when baby is around 8 months of age, when your baby has settled into some sort of sleep and feeding routine. Prior to 8 months of age, based on many different reasons, I believe in letting your baby wake for feeds by themselves.
As your baby gets bigger the effectiveness of dream feeds may change. Typically dream feeding works best between 8-12 months after which babies tend to sleep for longer stretches naturally and shouldn’t require feeds overnight to support their nutritional needs. This is a general guide though and every baby is different.
Adjusting Dream Feeds as Your Baby Grows
As your baby gets older you may need to adjust the amount and timing of dream feeds. Some parents find dream feeds are less effective as their baby approaches 12 months. At this stage most babies are developmentally ready to consolidate their overnight sleep without needing an extra feed.
When to stop dream feeding? You can start to phase out dream feeds when your baby is sleeping through the night without waking for a feed. For some babies this is around 8 months, for others it may be earlier or later. Just watch for signs that your baby is no longer waking up hungry at night or isn’t hungry for the first feed to start the day.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Dream Feeding
Dream feeds can be beneficial for both parents and babies. The obvious advantage is longer stretches of sleep for everyone. By feeding your baby before they wake up for the night you may be able to prevent hunger driven wake ups in the early hours of the night and get a more peaceful sleep.
But there are downsides to consider. Over relying on dream feeds can make it harder for your baby to consolidate their overnight sleep. Some babies may also become too accustomed to the extra feed and make it harder to phase out dream feeds later on.
Success Stories and Challenges
Many parents have had success with dream feeding and report their babies sleep for longer stretches after introducing a dream feed routine. But every baby is different and there may be challenges with it.
One of the challenges is that some babies don’t fully wake up to feed and you get a shorter or less effective feed. In these cases it may take a few goes to find the right timing or method that works for your baby.
When to Stop Dream Feeding
Eventually you’ll want to wean your baby off dream feeds. But when do you stop dream feeding? The general guide is to phase out dream feeds when your baby is sleeping through the night without needing the extra feed or if you see it’s impacting their daily intake.
Start by reducing the amount of milk you offer during the dream feed or feed earlier in the evening until it’s no longer needed. See how your baby responds to this change. They may need another form of support to help them resettle as they adjust.
Other Options to Dream Feeding
If dream feeding doesn’t work for your baby there are other options. Adjusting your baby’s feeding pattern during the day or looking at their solid intake across the daytime too. Ensuring your baby is getting the recommended amount of nutrients in their diet is key as your baby matures and gets more established on solids.
FAQs
Will dream feeds interrupt my baby’s sleep?
Dream feeds are meant to support your baby’s sleep, not disrupt it. Dream feeding can allow your baby to feed without fully waking, which can prevent hunger wake ups later in the night. The key is to keep the environment calm and quiet during the feed so you don’t fully wake your baby. If you find dream feeds are interrupting your baby’s sleep you may want to adjust the timing or phase them out.
How long do I do dream feeds?
You can do dream feeds as long as they are helping your baby sleep for longer stretches at night and it’s working for you! Most parents stop dream feeding once their baby is sleeping through the night without the extra feed, usually around 10-12 months. But every baby is different so look for signs your baby no longer needs the dream feed, such as sleeping through the night on their own or not feeding much during the dream feed.
What if my baby won’t wake up enough to dream feed?
Some babies may be too sleepy to latch or feed during a dream feed. If this happens try gently stimulating your baby by stroking their cheek or moving them slightly to get them to start feeding. If they still don’t seem interested try adjusting the timing of the dream feed or reassess if your baby still needs it. If your baby is sleeping well and not hungry during the night it may be a sign they no longer need a dream feed.
Conclusion: Is Dream Feeding for Your Baby?
Dream feeding can be a good tool to help you and your baby sleep more, however every baby is different and what works for one family may not work for another. The key is to find a routine that suits your baby and promotes good sleep habits. If dream feeds are helping your baby sleep longer and wake less at night then it may be for you.
