What is a Dreamfeed?

What is dream feeding? Dream feeding is exactly as it sounds. You feed your baby while they're semi-awake, or in a dreamy state. Most of us wake to feed our babies when they give us a signal (stirring or fussing), but when you dream feed your baby, you'll be the one to rouse them from sleep and initiate a feeding.

What is the purpose of a dream feed?

Dream feeding has been defined as the practice of feeding a sleeping infant, with the aim of encouraging the baby to sleep longer. The term has also been used to describe any big meal (delivered during sleep or waking) that is timed to occur immediately before the parent falls asleep.

Is a dream feed a full feed?

The dreamfeed is the last feed of your baby's day. It happens approximately 2-3 hours after your baby has had their bedtime feed. This usually occurs between 10pm-11pm. As an example; your baby's last feed is at 7pm and your baby is asleep by 730pm.

When can you start dream feeding?

When to start dream feeding your baby. Newborns have small stomachs and need to eat at least every two to four hours. Once your baby starts showing signs that he can sleep for longer stretches without a feed — usually around 2 to 3 months old — then you could give dream feeding a try.

How do you give a dream feed?

How do dream feeds work? If you want to give your baby a dream feed, put them down for bed at the time you normally would. Then, around 10 or 11 p.m., gently get your baby out of their crib and put them at your breast or give them a bottle, all without waking them up.

Should you change nappy during dream feed?

Do not change his nappy before the feed. Just lift and feed. Your baby can usually sleep through from 7pm-7am around 4 months old and 15/16lbs. Then, if your baby is still sleeping until 7am you can drop the feed altogether and let your baby sleep all night!

Do you burp with a dream feed?

Should you burp a baby after a dream feed? Yes, you should burp your baby even after a dream feed, which is a late-night feeding you wake your little one up for before you head to bed.

How long should a dream feed last?

When should I stop dream feeding? Remember, your goal with dream feeding is to help your baby sleep from the time you go to bed through until the morning. As stated above, 5 to 10 minutes on each side should be enough for most babies.

What if baby wakes up during dream feed?

Some babies might fully wake up during the dream feed, which is okay! Just make sure you keep the lights dim and minimize the amount of stimulation to make sure you can get them back to sleep easily. Other babies might not stay awake enough for a full-feed, which is also okay!

What if baby doesn't burp and falls asleep?

Don't fret if your baby doesn't burp before falling asleep, try burp them while sleeping. Your newborn may be just fine if she doesn't burp before sleeping, particularly if you're breastfeeding and your baby isn't that gassy, so panic not.

Is a dream feed a good idea?

Largely, dream feeding is considered a good idea if your baby is having trouble sleeping because they are hungry. But it's important that you take your baby out of the crib and wake them up enough to eat (but not too), then try to avoid feeding them on their back if you're using a bottle.

Is sleep feeding harmful?

Sleep feeding (also known as Dream Feeding) is not harmful when it is used as a short term feeding method for a baby who experiences pain and discomfort from eating due to Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD).

How much should I dream feed?

How much do you feed during a dream feeding? There is no right or wrong answer to this one; you can do a small “snack” feeding of 2-3oz, you could do their normal 4-6oz, you could feed on one side if breastfeeding, or feed on both sides! Some babies will only drink a tiny amount, some will take in the full feeding.

When can you stop burping a baby?

In general, you can stop burping most babies by the time they are 4 to 6 months old, according to Boys Town Pediatrics in Omaha, Nebraska. Babies can be burped in many ways and while being held in a variety of positions.

How do I stop the 2am feed?

Can I dream feed at 3am?

As long as your baby is healthy and has no medical issues, you should be able to drop his/her night feed (usually at 3am for most babies) from around 12 weeks or when they reach 5kg. Deciding to drop this feed means that you can expect baby to sleep through the night from 7pm-7am with a Dream Feed at 11pm.

How do you burp a sleeping baby?

Lay on your knees

If you're sitting in a chair, simply move your baby to a laying position on their tummy on your knees. You can move your legs side to side to rock them and gently pat or rub their back until a burp comes. A baby can remain asleep here as long as you want to stay sitting.

Do I wind baby after dream feed?

It is not usually necessary to wind your baby after a dream feed. Wee Bee Dreaming explains that this is because your baby is so relaxed during this feed that they are less likely to gulp or take in extra air.

Does spit up count as a burp?

Vomiting is the forceful throwing up of stomach contents through the mouth. Spitting up is the easy flow of stomach contents out of the mouth, frequently with a burp. Spitting up doesn't involve forceful muscle contractions, brings up only small amounts of milk, and doesn't distress your baby or make him uncomfortable.

Can you dream feed at 2am?

This runs from 6/7pm through to 11pm. So the ideal window to dream feed in, is 10-11pm, before that stage of sleep ends. If you happen to fall asleep and you miss your dream feed and notice its 11.30pm, go back to sleep! Forget about the dream feed tonight and wait for your baby to wake naturally hungry at some point.

How many hours is considered sleeping through the night?

Experts generally consider “sleeping through the night” as sleeping 6 to 9 hours at a time for children and adults.

Can a dream feed disrupt sleep?

Dream feeding generally takes place in the first hours of a baby's sleep, which is when they sleep most soundly, so there's a risk of interrupting a deep sleep. That might be fine if your baby can fall right back asleep. But if a dream feed disrupts your baby's sleep for the rest of the night, it may not be worth it.

Does sleep feeding count as a nap?

If she seems to be refreshed for an hour or two afterwards, I would say yes, they count. If DS wouldn't be put down for a nap due to teething etc., I used to give him a sleepy feed and he'd wake up raring to go. Sometimes just 20 minutes would do the trick - like a power nap!

Should I stop the dream feed?

Baby is Sleeping from Dreamfeed to Morning Wakeup Time

In most cases, you will want to keep the Dreamfeed until your baby is consistently sleeping from the Dreamfeed until your morning wake up time. Once your baby starts sleeping solidly through the night, give it two weeks and then try to drop the Dreamfeed.

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