A dream feed, also known as a late evening feeding, refers to giving a baby a feed in the late evening around 10 or 11 pm. The purpose of a dream feed is to fill the baby’s stomach right before a long stretch of sleep through the night. While the timing can vary based on the baby’s schedule, a dream feed typically lasts around 10-15 minutes.
What is a Dream Feed?
A dream feed, sometimes called a late evening feeding, is a feeding given to the baby late in the evening, anywhere from 10 pm to midnight. The idea is to sneak in and gently rouse the sleeping baby just enough to take a bottle or breastfeed. The baby is still mostly asleep throughout the feeding, hence the name “dream feed.”
The goal of a dream feed is to fill the baby’s tummy right before their longest stretch of sleep. This helps some babies (not all) sleep for a 6-8 hour stretch at night. For breastfed babies, dream feeds also help maintain mom’s milk supply since babies tend to naturally go longer between feedings at night.
When Should You Do a Dream Feed?
The timing of a dream feed depends on the baby’s bedtime and natural patterns. Most sources recommend starting a dream feed between 10-11 pm, but it could be as early as 9 pm or as late as midnight. Watch the baby’s cues – if they tend to wake up hungry around a certain time at night, plan the dream feed 1-2 hours before that.
Many parents find success doing the dream feed around 10 or 11 pm. This takes advantage of the baby’s natural melatonin release between 9-11 pm which helps them fall into deep sleep after the feeding. Aim to find a sweet spot in that timing where baby will accept the dream feed while still sleepy enough to go right back down afterward.
How to Do a Dream Feed
Here are some tips for effectively doing a dream feed:
- Do the feed when baby is in a deep sleep in their bassinet or crib. Try not to fully wake them up.
- Keep lights low and voices/sounds quiet and soothing.
- Gently pick up and rouse baby just enough to take the bottle or breastfeed.
- If breastfeeding, aim for 10-15 minutes per breast. Burp halfway through.
- If bottle feeding, go slowly and gently, pausing to burp after every 1-2 ounces.
- Avoid diaper changes or too much stimulation that could wake baby up fully.
- Put baby back down drowsy but fed, and let them drift back to sleep.
It may take a few nights for baby to get used to the dream feed routine. Be patient and consistent. Over time, they will learn to accept the feeding while staying relaxed enough to go right back to sleep.
How Long Should a Dream Feed Take?
On average, a dream feed takes about 10-15 minutes. However, this can vary based on whether you are breastfeeding or bottle feeding.
Dream Feed by Breastfeeding
For breastfed babies, aim to feed for 10-15 minutes on each side. Some babies may take less time per breast while others need more. Follow your baby’s cues. Watch for them to seem satisfied and relaxed after feeding on each side.
You don’t need to worry about how much milk they take in, since the breasts store milk and baby can draw it out. Allow them to feed until they seem content or start drifting off, even if it’s a shorter or uneven feed.
Dream Feed by Bottle
If bottle feeding, the dream feed may be shorter in duration. Go slowly to avoid overwhelming baby’s senses. Pace the feeding by:
- Feeding 1-2 ounces at a time.
- Burping halfway through and again at the end.
- Pausing to let baby relax and swallow after each ounce or two.
- Watching for fullness cues like spinning away, closed lips, or hands pushing away the bottle.
The whole feeding may take around 10-15 minutes. But pay attention to baby’s cues versus the clock. They may only take 2-4 ounces to feel full. Don’t overfeed – the goal is just to fill their belly, not drain the bottle.
General Tips
Some other tips for an effective dream feed:
- Keep the room dimly lit and voices soft.
- Avoid diaper changes or too much activity that could wake baby fully.
- Gently burp baby halfway through and again at the end.
- Don’t worry if baby nods off – let them sleepily feed at their own pace.
- Put baby back in the crib relaxed but with a full belly to sleep through the night.
Stay observant of baby’s cues throughout. The dream feed takes as long as needed for baby to get the right amount to make it through until morning.
Does Dream Feeding Work?
For many babies, dream feeding does work to significantly extend overnight sleep. However, every baby is different. Consistency is key to making dream feeds successful.
Benefits When it Works
When effective, dream feeding can:
- Help baby sleep longer stretches at night, sometimes up to 8 hours straight.
- Reduce the number of night wakings and feedings.
- Allow mom and dad to get more consolidated nighttime sleep.
- Maintain milk supply for nursing mothers.
In addition, some babies seem to take more ounces when dream fed versus when fully awake. Their nighttime appetite may be greater even when feeding half-asleep.
Signs it’s Working
How can you tell if your dream feeds are successful? Signs may include:
- Baby accepts the feeding while staying relaxed and sleepy.
- Baby takes in more ounces than usual at the dream feed.
- Longer stretches of uninterrupted sleep after the feeding.
- Fewer night wakings overall.
Within a few nights you should start to see patterns emerge if dream feeds are working well. Keep at it for at least 2 weeks to give baby a chance to adjust.
Troubleshooting if Needed
Dream feeds don’t work for all babies. Signs it may not be effective include:
- Baby fully wakes up and is hard to settle back down.
- Baby refuses the breast or bottle and cries.
- No improvement in night sleep patterns.
If this happens, try tweaking the timing of the dream feed. Do it earlier or later based on when baby tends to wake up hungry. Or, just accept that dream feeds aren’t right for your baby and drop them.
Pros & Cons of Dream Feeding
Dream feeding can be a great technique – but is it right for your family? Here are some pros and cons to consider:
Potential Pros
- Longer stretches of uninterrupted sleep at night
- Less frequent night wakings/feedings
- More sleep for mom and dad
- Maintained milk supply when breastfeeding
Potential Cons
- Can disrupt sleep if baby doesn’t take to it
- Requires waking a sleeping baby
- May affect daytime appetite and feeds
- Not suitable for all babies’ routines
Weigh the potential benefits versus drawbacks based on your family’s sleep and feeding priorities.
When to Stop Dream Feeding
Consistency is key in the early months for dream feeding success. But when is it time to drop the dream feeds?
Here are some signs it may be time to let it go:
- Baby starts refusing the feed or wakes up fully when attempted
- Night sleep is no longer improved after feeding
- Baby begins sleeping through on their own
- Baby is old enough to drop night feeds (5-6 months+)
If you decide to stop dream feeding, do it gradually. Slowly reduce the amount per feed or eliminate one dream feed every 3-4 nights. This allows baby time to adapt.
Some babies are ready to night wean and drop dream feeds around 4 months. But if sleep is still a struggle, you can continue until 6 months or beyond. Watch baby’s cues and adjust as needed.
FAQs
At what age should you stop dream feeding?
Most experts recommend stopping dream feeds sometime between 4 and 6 months once baby is developmentally ready to sleep through the night. However, there are no hard rules – continue dream feeding for as long as it works well for you and baby.
Do dream feeds ruin sleep training?
Not necessarily. Dream feeds can be incorporated into many sleep training approaches. The key is keeping dream feeds consistent, boring, and disconnected from other night wakings. Make sure baby is drowsy when replacing in the crib so they learn to fall back asleep independently.
Should I dream feed formula or breastmilk?
Either is fine. Breastfed babies will get more hindmilk at night which can help them sleep longer. For formula, stick with whatever you normally use. The goal is just to fill their belly, not introduce anything new or different from daytime feeds.
What if baby wakes up too much during dream feed?
The first few nights can involve some trial and error. If baby fully wakes up, keep the interaction brief and boring. Don’t play or overstimulate. Reassure them calmly, do a quick diaper change if needed, then put back down awake but drowsy. Over time, they will get better at dream feeding without fully waking.
Conclusion
On average, a dream feed takes 10-15 minutes from start to finish. Breastfed babies may feed for 10-15 minutes per side. Bottle-fed babies may take 2-4 ounces over 10-15 minutes, fed slowly with burping breaks. While dream feeding is effective for some infants, it does not work for all babies. Pay attention to your baby’s cues and don’t be afraid to tweak the timing or drop it altogether if it is disrupting sleep. Consistency is key in the early months to see if it helps establish better nighttime sleep patterns.