A dream feed is given last thing at night, usually around 10-11 p.m. without fully waking baby.
The purpose of a dream feed is to help provide a longer period overnight before baby wakes for the next feed giving mums and dads (and baby) a longer sleep.
Dream feeds, when successful work really well and are a great way to extend the next feed, ensuring a few hours of rest for all. Many of my mums use them and find they have success and gain a few extra hours of valuable sleep. One of my mums said that dream feeds were the best because her husband did them-as I said, when they work, they are great.
Some of my mums who have tried them without any advantage say that it made no difference. Some felt they were interrupting a perfectly good sleep and felt it just added an extra feed they had to wait up/wake up for. Some felt they were giving baby a feed they didn’t need.
Opinion is divided about the advantages-some suggest it is a great idea and some claim it interferes with a baby’s natural sleep rhythm. One article says dream feeding is a good way to try difficult feeders when they are sleepy and relaxed.
Personally, I failed at dream feeds (how can any new mum possibly stay awake after 7?) but ended up with a long sleep period from 6pm – 2 am, and that had it’s own advantages.
Babies will usually find there own patterns and whilst we can encourage a longer sleep overnight, it might just be that your baby will be the best guide.
I would love to know (and my new mums) if you used dream feeds successfully or not.
If you have any questions or there are any topics you would like to see in future posts please don’t hesitate to get in touch.