Ep. 10 | Dream Feeding 101

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Parenthood is a journey filled with joy, challenges, and countless sleepless nights. One topic often discussed among new parents is the concept of "dream feeding." Dream feeding involves offering your baby a milk feed while they are still asleep, typically in the evening, to help them—and you—enjoy a longer stretch of uninterrupted sleep. In this blog post, I’ll delve deeper into the ins and outs of dream feeding, its benefits and drawbacks, and practical tips on how to implement it.

What is Dream Feeding?

Dream feeding is a term coined by Tracy Hogg to describe the practice of feeding a baby while they’re still asleep, usually between 9 PM and 11 PM. Instead of waiting for your baby to wake you up for a 1 AM feeding, a dream feed allows you to offer milk before you go to bed. The idea is to ensure your baby gets a longer initial stretch of sleep—often the longest of the night—giving you some much-needed rest as well.

How Does Dream Feeding Work?

The concept behind dream feeding is fairly simple. Here’s a step-by-step guide to implementing it:

1. Set a Bedtime Routine: Make sure your baby goes to bed between 7 and 8 PM. If your baby isn't on a schedule yet or if they're still very young, consider looking into one of my sleep courses designed for newborns or infants to help establish a good routine.  

2. Timing the Dream Feed: Around 9 to 11 PM, before you go to bed, gently pick up your sleeping baby. Offer them a breast or bottle feed. Keep the environment quiet and the lights low or off to avoid fully waking them.  

3. Burping: After the feed, gently burp your baby. Placing them over your shoulder is often the best way to do this without waking them too much. Some breastfed babies might not need a burp, but it's always a good precaution.

4. Back to Bed: Lay your baby back down in their sleep space. If they didn’t fall back asleep during the feed, you might need to rock or soothe them until they are asleep. 

Benefits of Dream Feeding

The primary benefit of dream feeding is the possibility of getting a longer stretch of sleep. For many parents, this can be a game-changer. Here are some other potential benefits:

• More Sleep for Parents: Offering a dream feed right before you go to bed can help you get several hours of uninterrupted sleep, which is invaluable for your physical and mental well-being.

• Better Sleep for Baby: Dream feeds can help babies get accustomed to longer sleep stretches, promoting overall better sleep habits.

• Additional Bonding Time: If you’re a working parent, a dream feed can be a special quiet time for bonding with your baby without the distractions of the daytime chaos.

Potential Drawbacks of Dream Feeding

While dream feeding can be incredibly beneficial for some, it's not a one-size-fits-all solution. Here are some potential drawbacks:

• Disrupted Sleep Cycle: In some cases, a dream feed might wake your baby too much and disrupt their natural sleep cycle, causing additional night wakings.

• Dependency: There's a risk that your baby might become dependent on the dream feed, making it challenging to wean them off later.

• Stress for Parents: If the dream feed disrupts your sleep or causes anxiety, it might be counterproductive.

Tips for Successful Dream Feeding

Here are some practical tips to help you get the most out of your dream feeds:

1. Keep the Lights Low: Maintain a dimly lit or dark room to ensure your baby remains in a sleepy state.  

2. Skip the Diaper Change: Unless your baby has a dirty diaper, avoid changing them. Frequent diaper changes can wake them up more.  

3. Consistent Routine: Keep a consistent bedtime and dream feed routine to help your baby understand what to expect.

4. Experiment and Observe: Give it at least 3 to 5 days to see if dream feeding works for your baby. Observe and adjust based on their reaction and sleep patterns.

Knowing When to Stop Dream Feeding

If you notice your baby is taking less milk during the dream feed or if the dream feed seems to disrupt their sleep rather than benefit it, it might be time to wean off. You can either gradually reduce the amount of milk or the feeding duration or try skipping the feed altogether and observe how your baby adjusts.

Remember, dream feeding is not a mandatory practice for excellent baby sleep, but it can be a useful tool for many parents. The key is to experiment and observe how it suits your baby and family. Whether you decide to incorporate dream feeding or not, the ultimate goal is to achieve a better sleep routine that works for everyone involved.

Connect with Alice:

• Instagram - @cozybabysleep
• Facebook - @cozybabysleep
• TikTok - @cozybabysleep
• Cozy Baby Sleep Links
• Website - www.cozybabysleep.com 

Resources: 

• Newborn Sleep Course
• Baby Sleep Course
• FREE Night Waking Guide
• Cozy Baby Sleep Links
• Free Sleep Help Resources
• Sleep Research Citations

Previous Episode/Blog Post:

• 9. Sickness and Baby Sleep

WELCOME TO COZY LITTLE CONVOS

Have you ever stressed out over your baby or toddler's sleep? Are you tired of feeling like you are doing everything wrong?

Well you're in the right place. In this podcast you will not only learn tangible tips and tricks to help your little one sleep better, but also how to do it with balance and confidence in yourself as the parent.

Hi! I'm Alice, Mum of 2 and certified sleep consultant. My sleep philosophy revolves around safe, loving, and research based sleep techniques while also holding space for real life.

This is a zero judgment community of moms who want to get the best sleep for the whole family, in a way that makes them feel good!