As a new parent, nights feel endless. Every time you try to sleep, your baby wakes up hungry.
That’s why many parents try dream feeding. What is it? It’s feeding your baby while they’re sleeping, just before you go to bed.
Imagine your baby had their last feed at 7 PM. Instead of waiting for them to cry at midnight, you feed them while they sleep.
Some parents say this helps them get more rest. Others find it doesn’t work for their baby.
Today, we’ll help you decide if this method might work for you and your little one.
What is Dream Feed?
I often explain dream feeding as a planned late-night meal for your baby.
It’s when I pick up my sleeping baby, usually between 9 and 10:30 PM, and feed them right before I go to bed.
The idea is simple: my baby gets extra food without fully waking up.
Parents try this method, hoping their baby will sleep longer at night.
For example, if my baby normally wakes at 1 AM for food, a dream feed at 10 PM might push that wake-up time to 4 AM.
This means I could get more sleep, too. But I’ve learned that each baby responds differently to this method.
How to Give a Dream Feed?
When I dream feed my baby, I follow these steps. First, I keep the room dark, using only a dim light if needed.
I gently lift my baby without waking them fully. For breastfeeding, I sit in a quiet spot and help them latch.
I softly stroke their cheek with bottle feeding to start the feeding response.
I don’t change their diaper unless needed. If my baby starts waking up, I keep things quiet and calm.
After feeding, I hold them upright for a few minutes to prevent spit-up, then place them back in their crib.
Sometimes, I pat their back gently until they settle.
When to Give a Dream Feed?
I find the best time for a dream feed is 2-3 hours after my baby’s bedtime feed, typically between 9:00-10:30 PM.
This fits well with my sleep schedule, too.
Right Time for Different Age Groups
With my newborn (0-3 months), I do dream feeds between 10-11 PM since they eat every 2-3 hours anyway.
For my 3-4 month old, I move it earlier to 9-10 PM as their night sleep gets longer.
By 5-6 months, I might feed at 8:30-9:30 PM if they still need it.
The key matches the feed to when my baby has been asleep long enough to be in deep sleep but not so long that they’re about to wake up naturally.
Signs Your Baby is Ready for a Dream Feed
I look for these signs in my baby.
They sleep well for the first part of the night but wake up often after midnight.
They take full feeds during the day and gain weight well.
I notice they’re more settled when they get an extra feed before midnight.
I also check if they respond well to being picked up during sleep – some babies wake up too much and get upset.
If my baby stays calm during the lift, that’s a good sign.
Is Dream Feed Recommended for Every Baby?
I’ve learned that dream feeds don’t work for all babies.
Some wake up too much during the feed, while others sleep right through it.
Based on my experience, it’s best to try it for a week and see how your baby responds.
Is it Possible to Dream Feed While Sleeping?
When I feed my sleeping baby, I make sure they’re actively feeding, not just comforting sucking.
I look for swallowing motions and listen for gulping sounds.
Even when drowsy, my baby needs to eat properly for this to work.
Safety comes first – I always hold my baby in my arms and never feed them in their crib.
If they’re too sleepy to feed well, I might need to wake them slightly by changing their diaper or unswaddling them.
Advantages of Dream Feed
I notice several good things about dream feeds.
First, they help me get longer sleep stretches at night.
If my baby usually wakes at 2 AM, a dream feed at 10 PM might push that to 5 AM.
This means I get better rest, too. It also helps me feel more in control of our night routine.
Plus, if I’m breastfeeding, this extra feed can help maintain my milk supply during the night.
Disadvantages of Dream Feed
I’ve found some downsides to dream feeding.
Sometimes, my baby wakes up fully and has trouble sleeping.
They might also start depending on feeding to fall asleep every time.
I worry about overfeeding, too. If my baby isn’t hungry, they might eat less during daytime feeds.
This can mess up their natural eating patterns.
Some babies also get upset stomachs from eating when they’re not ready.
Can You Replace Dream Feed?
Instead of dream feeds, I sometimes use other methods.
I make sure daytime feeds are full and satisfying.
I space out evening feeds carefully so my baby isn’t too hungry at night.
Sometimes, I give a slightly later bedtime feed or cluster feed in the evening.
I also focus on good sleep habits like a calm bedtime routine and putting my baby down drowsy but awake.
How to Remove Dream Feed?
When I want to stop dream feeding, I do it slowly.
First, I reduced the amount of milk in each dream feed.
Then I move the time earlier by 15 minutes every few days.
I watch my baby’s cues carefully. If they sleep through without the feed, that’s great.
I might need to adjust their daytime feeding schedule if they wake up hungry.
It usually takes about two weeks for my baby to adjust to no dream feeds.
Conclusion
After reading this guide, you have all the tools to decide if dream feeding fits your family.
It might work for you if your baby stays calm during late feeds and takes milk well while drowsy.
However, success varies with each baby. Want to try it? Start with small steps.
Watch how your baby responds over a week—not getting good results? That’s normal, too.
Some babies sleep better with regular night feeds.
Talk to your doctor about your baby’s feeding schedule. They’ll help map out the best plan for your little one.
