So, you’ve heard of dream feeding, but what is it and how do you do it? Designed to help your baby to sleep for longer periods during the night, dream feeding is a useful technique used by parents and caregivers around the world.
But it’s not for every family. From what age to start dream feeding to its benefits, find out everything you need to know below.
What is a dream feed?
Dream feeding is when you feed your baby, without fully waking them, for the last time in the day. This is a personal choice, but lots of parents and caregivers find it’s a great technique to reduce the number of times their little one wakes during the night to be fed.
You can dream feed your baby by bottle or breastfeeding. Do what works for you and your family.
Are dream feeds a good idea?
Dream feeding is a personal choice. Some families like to dream feed because they find it helps their child to sleep for longer periods during the night. While others don’t see a difference. Find what works for you.
However, there are some risks to consider when dream feeding:
Overfeeding
Your child might not need the extra feed before you head to bed. If this is the case, dream feeding can increase the risk of overfeeding. In turn, this might lead to your little one to spitting up, becoming fussy, or needing to have their nappy changed more often through the night.
Infections
Some parents and caregivers find that dream feeding can also increase the risk of ear infections. Always follow safe feeding guidelines.
Gas
Newborn babies are naturally gassy as their digestive systems haven’t yet matured. To reduce the build-up of gas that can make your child uncomfortable, regularly burp them and always hold your child in an upright position when feeding.
How do I know if my baby needs a dream feed?
Newborn babies have small stomachs and need to be fed every two to four hours. Once your child shows signs that they can sleep for longer periods of time, you might want to consider introducing dream feeding. This is usually around two to three months old.
When is the ideal time to offer a dream feed?
The idea is to dream feed your baby before you go to sleep yourself so this might be between 10pm-12am. The parent or caregiver is the one who initiates the feed.
You can start to dream feed your baby as early as six weeks old, but it’s advised that you wait until they have developed a somewhat regular sleep pattern.
How to dream feed
From establishing a bedtime routine to burping, follow the below steps to dream feed your child safely.
Create a bedtime routine (and stick to it)
A consistent bedtime routine will help your child to understand when it is time to sleep. This might look like reading a book, singing a lullaby, or a baby massage. It’s also important to create a calming environment that will help to relax your little one. Turn down the lights, close the curtains/blinds, and speak in hushed tones.
Put your baby to sleep in their cot or bassinet
When it’s your child’s bedtime and they appear sleepy, put them to sleep on their back in a cot or bassinet. Always ensure the mattress is firm, flat, and clean. Remove any toys, loose objects, and excess blankets from the cot/bassinet before sleep. For further information on safe sleep guidelines, visit oursleep library.
Dream feed your child before bed
Just before you head to bed, this can range from 9pm to 12am, gently rouse your baby. If you are bottle-feeding your child, ensure they are not fully asleep and sit them in a semi-upright position to prevent choking. If they are not taking the bottle/breast or begin to turn their head away, this is a signal that they are full.
Do not continue to feed them. Put your baby back into their cot/bassinet quietly and with as little fuss as possible.
When to stop dream feeding
Every child is different. The age you decide to start (and stop) dream feeding is up to you. You might want to consider weaning them off dream feeding if they are waking in the night from a sleep onset association or if it appears to be negatively impacting your child’s sleep schedule.
Common dream feeding FAQs from parents/caregivers
From whether to burp your child to the disadvantages of dream feeding, we answer your questions below.
Do I burp my baby after a dream feed?
Some parents and caregivers choose to burp their child after dream feeding, as this will reduce the risk of them spitting up or growing uncomfortable from gas during the night. You might even find that they don’t need burping as much as usual as babies tend to be more relaxed during a dream feed so don’t take in as much air.
However, we still recommend holding your child upright for 10 minutes or so after feeding to allow them time to digest before going back to sleep.
Do I need to change my baby’s nappy during a dream feed?
You don’t need to worry about changing your child’s nappy during a dream feed unless it’s necessary. Make sure to always change your baby’s nappy before putting them to sleep each night to ensure they are comfortable and clean.
Is a dream feed guaranteed to work?
No. Dream feeding doesn’t work for every child. If your baby is resistant or dream feeding appears to be negatively impacting their sleep schedule, it’s not the right technique for your family.
Can dream feeding backfire?
Dream feeding isn’t for every child. In some cases, dream feeding can negatively impact a baby’s sleep schedule, increase the risk of reflux, increase the need to change their nappy during the night, and lead to overfeeding if not done correctly. Below, discover the negatives of dream feeding in more detail.
What are the negatives of dream feeding?
Dream feeding isn’t for every family. If you have tried it and your child isn’t latching or keeps turning their head away from the bottle/breast, don’t force it.
It might require you going to bed later than usual
Dream feeding requires you to wait between two to three hours after your child has gone to sleep. This can be difficult, especially if you are the sole parent/caregiver.
It can increase the risk of gas and reflux
Dream feeding can increase the risk of wind or reflux. To reduce the symptoms, burp your child after dream feeding and hold them upright for 10 minutes before putting them back to sleep in their cot/bassinet – this is especially important if they regularly suffer from reflux.
It might interrupt your baby’s natural sleep cycles
Some sleep experts believe that dream feeding can interrupt a child’s natural sleep cycles. It might also become a habit that is difficult to wean your child off of in the future.
At Love To Dream™, we know that every child is different, and we’re committed to helping you to find the right solution for your family. With you at every step, Love To Dream™ believes today’s little dreamers are the shapers of tomorrow. For further advice from our experts, visit our Sleep Library.
