The Dream Feed – how and when to use this sleep strategy

Becoming a new parent is an exciting and transformative experience, but it often comes with its fair share of sleepless nights. One technique that many parents find helpful in promoting longer stretches of sleep for both themselves and their infants is dream feeding. If you’re new to the concept, this blog post will provide you with a comprehensive guide on dream feeding and how it can be a game-changer for your family’s sleep routine.

Disclaimer: this blog is for educational purposes only and does not replace direct instruction from your child’s primary care provider. If your baby is required/suggested to use a dream feeding strategy for growth and development purposes under direction of their primary care provider, please continue that plan and discuss any changes with your child’s doctor. 

What you’ll learn from this blog:

• What is a dream feed?
• When is a dream feed most effective?
• How to dream feed and benefits of using this strategy
• What happens if it’s no longer working

What is a dream feed?

A dream feed involves gently waking your baby for a feeding session just before you go to bed, typically between 10 PM and midnight. The idea is to feed your baby while they are still somewhat asleep, allowing them to fill their tummy without fully waking up. This can help prevent your baby from waking up hungry in the middle of the night, allowing everyone to enjoy a longer period of uninterrupted sleep.

When is a dream feed most effective?

For most families, a dream feed can be successful in the early weeks/months of a baby’s life. The newborn phase should have heavy emphasis on establishing feeding and rapid growth in those early months and therefore a dream feed can help support this. A newborn’s sleep patterns are also much easier to implement a dream feed since they have two stages of sleep – light sleep and deep sleep. You can often see them transition in their sleep cycle to help you time the dream feed. 

Most families find a dream feed to be most effective from newborn to 3-4 months old. Some families find implementing a dream feed after this stage to be more difficult as their baby is more “awake” to their environment and sensitive to changes (like being removed from their sleep space). Another consideration is that their sleep architecture has changed which can make the timing of the dream feed more difficult for some. 

How to use the dream feed strategy 

Instead of waiting for your baby to wake you for their night feed, you gently rouse them and offer them a feed while they are still asleep. 

This may look like the following steps;

• baby goes to bed between 7-8pm
• around 10pm-12am, you get them from their sleep space and offer them a breast or bottle feed without fully waking them up (e.g., no diaper change – unless you’re tracking their output still, lights stay off). If they don’t rouse during removal from their sleep space, you may choose to initiate their rooting reflex by stroking their cheek. 
• burp baby as you usually would (if you do)
• gently lay baby back down on their back to return back to their sleep space 

Benefits of the dream feed for some families 

• Longer Sleep Stretches: by topping off your baby’s last feeding before you head to bed, you may extend the time before they wake up hungry again, giving you a longer stretch of sleep.
• Extra calories: if directed by your child’s health care provider, a dream feed can be a way to get extra calories into them to ensure their weight gain stays on track. Some breastfeeding parents also find this helpful to maintain their night supply. 
• Peace of Mind: Knowing that your baby has a full tummy can give you peace of mind, reducing the anxiety that often comes with wondering when they will wake up next.

How to know if a dream feed is working?

• Baby takes a full feed (not just an ounce or “snack”) and goes back to sleep easily after the dream feed
• Baby sleeps a longer stretch of sleep after the dream feed is complete
• The experience is enjoyable for you as the parent and doesn’t feel like a stressful experience

How to know if the dream feed is not working?

• Baby doesn’t actively drink the offering
• It disrupts their sleep significantly and they have a difficult time going back to sleep
• They don’t sleep a longer stretch after the dream feed is complete

Dream feeds can be effective for some babies and for others, it can be a frustrating and tiring experience. Your baby’s temperament matters in this process. 

What happens if the dream feed is no longer working for your family?

Before making any changes to your baby’s feeding patterns, you’ll want to consult with their primary care provider to discuss the changes you’re hoping to make. 

If you’ve been given the all clear to drop the dream feed, you may consider a few options

• If bottle feeding, you can slowly reduce the amount in the bottle being offered
• If breastfeeding, you can try to slowly reduce the time spent during the feeding session (e.g., if the baby usually feeds for 10 minutes, you might reduce it to 8 minutes for a few nights then reduce again until the feed is gone).
• If breastfeeding or bottle feeding, depending on baby’s age, you may consider dropping the feed and proactively being present for them in the room to help support them back to sleep without the feeding. If your baby has been using a dream feed for months, it will take a few days to help them through this change as their bodies are conditioned to be fed at that time. 

Final thoughts on dream feeding

Dream feeding can be a valuable tool in your parenting toolkit, potentially leading to better sleep for both you and your baby. However, it’s important to remember that every baby is unique, and what works for one may not work for another (and that can be really frustrating sometimes!). Be patient  and trust your instincts as a parent. With time and persistence, you’ll find the sleep routine that works best for your family and if you need support finding a sleep routine and system that works for your family, I’m here to help you with that. 

Wishing you an easy night,

Chelsea

Chelsea is Mom of 2 and a Baby, Toddler and Child Sleep Consultant. She has advanced certification in Infant and Early Mental Health and Pediatric Sleep Health and has a Master’s of Professional Education with a specialization in Applied Behaviour Analysis. Chelsea supports families within Hamilton and beyond with hands-on, no cry-it-out, responsive methods towards longer naps and better nights. Chelsea works collaboratively with families to empower them with the confidence and tools they need to reach their unique sleep goals. Hear from rested families here and book a free call with Chelsea here to discuss how she can support your family’s journey to more sleep.