Dream feeding 101: Pros, Cons & Guidelines for Parents

Many have heard of the 'dream feed'—a technique where you feed your baby during their sleep, in the hopes of enjoying a longer stretch of uninterrupted rest. But does it work? With my clients, I've seen both the successes and challenges associated with dream feeding. Let's dive deeper into its pros, cons, and best practices.

So what is Dream Feeding?

Dream feeding involves feeding your baby while they're in a light state of sleep, typically right before your own bedtime. The idea is to give them a “top up” to potentially reduce the number of times your baby wakes up and give both of you a longer stretch of undisturbed sleep.

Does a Dream Feed Work?

Many parents swear by dream feeding, noting longer stretches of sleep for baby and themselves. While some babies may not respond to the dream feed as hoped and will still wake at regular intervals.

Pros of Dream Feeding

1. Extended Sleep: The dream feed can, for some babies, lead to more extended periods of sleep.

2. Fewer Nighttime Disruptions: A well timed dream feed may reduce the frequency of your baby's nighttime awakenings.

3. Easier Feedings: Since baby is in a relaxed, semi-awake state during a dream feed, they might latch and feed more calmly compared to feedings where they wake up crying from hunger.

4. Predictability: Dream feeding can allow parents to have a little more predictability in their evenings. They might be able to plan activities or set routines knowing that their baby will likely sleep for an extended period after the dream feed.

Cons of Dream Feeding

1. Varied Results: The effectiveness of dream feeding varies from baby to baby. While some might sleep longer, others may stick to their regular wake up schedule.

2. Dependency: Over time, your baby might come to expect these sleep time feedings, potentially creating a challenging habit to break.

3. Sleep Cycle Disruptions: Dream feeding can potentially disrupt the natural sleep cycles of your baby's sleep. Babies, like adults, go through sleep stages. Interrupting a deep sleep phase might mean the baby gets less restorative sleep overall.

4. Potential for Reduced Daytime Feeding: If the baby is getting extra calories at night, they might be less hungry during the day, which can disrupt daytime feeding routines.

Guidelines for Dream Feeding

1. Perfect Timing: The optimal window for a dream feed is usually between 10 PM to midnight, and ideally just before the Mom/Dads bedtime as this maximizes the likelihood of your baby sleeping through the earlier part of the night.

2. Calm Environment: Dim the lights (red nightlight is preferable) to maintain a nighttime atmosphere. Minimize noise and distractions to keep the baby in a semi sleep state.

3. Gentle Approach: When picking up your baby, do so gently to avoid fully waking them. If using a bottle, you might consider warming it a little to make the feed more comforting.

4. Positioning: Ensure your baby is comfortable but slightly upright to facilitate easier feeding. Afterward, always remember to burp them to avoid any discomfort or gas.

5. Consult the Experts: If you have questions or concerns about dream feeding, or if you observe unusual sleeping patterns in your baby, consider seeking advice.

What to Do If Dream Feeding Doesn’t Work?

Trial and Adjust: If the first attempt doesn’t give you results, don't be disheartened. It might require light adjustments or a few more tries.

Change the Timing: Shifting the dream feed by even 15-30 minutes earlier or later can sometimes make a notable difference.

Rethinking Dream Feeding from 4 Months Onwards

From the 4-month mark, I typically don't advocate for dream feeding. Here’s why:

1. Promoting Healthy Sleep Patterns: At 4 months, it's a prime time to begin guiding your baby towards sleeping 11-12 hours each night. While a single night feed might still be on the cards, it’s crucial that this is done when the baby is awake.

2. Separating Food from Sleep: We aim to instill the concept that food is for nourishment, not a sleep prop. Dream feeding blurs this line, making it harder for your baby to differentiate.

3. Encouraging Self Soothing: As we transition away from dream feeding, the focus shifts to teaching babies to self soothe and settle themselves back to sleep if they do wake up.

Dream feeding, while beneficial for many, is not a one size fits all solution. Every baby is unique, and what works for one might not necessarily work for another. If you decide to implement, remember to remain adaptable, patient, and if you're struggling with your baby's sleep patterns or have more questions about dream feeding, don't hesitate to reach out!

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