Dream Feed

**Shiny95** · 03-04-2008 18:05

Seriously, what's the point of the dream feed.
Isn't it supposed to top him up and as a result sleep longer during the night.
Yday he fed at 5pm and i fed him at 10pm to top him up. Otherwise he would have probably woken between 11.30 and 1.30.
However the cheeky man still woke at 1pm anyway.
Does it work for you??

**~Emmylou~** · 03-04-2008 18:25

It can take a while to work.
Try it for a week or so before you write it off

Good luck

**MummaBear03** · 03-04-2008 18:34

I never gave dream feeds. But the definition of "sleeping through" is only 5 hours, not 8 and definately not 12 hours overnight. When he wakes at 1 does he feed, nappy change, then back to sleep again? And are you changing his nappy with a dream feed? It could be the nappy waking him and not his tummy. I used to change my daughter's nappy before going to bed and she wouldn't wake up. She slept through from birth and I put that down to her hourly feeds through the day and the fact that she was having a bum change at 5pm after her bath, again at about 9pm then again at about 11:30pm when I went to bed and that would see her through until 6am when she woke up, nappy change, feed, back to sleep until 8am. Maybe see if you can change his nappy without waking him when he has a dream feed.

**Shiny95** · 03-04-2008 19:18

You know the nappy idea isn't a bad one. I also wonder if it's just him escaping his wrapping. I try so hard to wrap him well. The sleeping bag option isn't much good right now as he needs his arms secured to get off to sleep. Straight jacket anyone?
I'm probably being selfish but i find if i go to bed at nine thirty and just leave him, even though i'm up several times a night, overall i end up with more hours of sleep than if i wait up to do the dream feed. I find it hard because we don't have a regular day feeding routine so i never know what time his last feed will be.
Hmph,

**jembelina** · 03-04-2008 21:15

I have never had success with dream feeds either...mind you I never really gave it a good go! but like you, I didn't have a solid daytime feeding pattern and couldn't see the point of waiting up to feed. I'd say you can definately leave his nappy and I really think this will help.

**punkbaby** · 03-04-2008 21:18

His still only young

Dream feeds work for us, generally bubs sleeps around 7pm then has a dream feed around 11pm then sleeps till 7am. If i dont do the dream feed shes up at 1am she hangs off me all day though and tops up all day but she sleeps so well at night so i am happy with that
good luck see how you go

**xkwzit** · 03-04-2008 21:20

They never worked for my DDs either. They were down for the count at about 6 - 7 pm and would not wake until 2 am. I would get them up, play with their feet, tried a wet washer on their cheeks and changed their nappies - they would not wake. I would express into their mouths to try to get them interested - nothing. So pointless.

But there are great things about kids with this kind of pattern. You can go out to dinner and you know the sitter won't have to feed them. Just feed, put down and go. Or you can have a glass of wine with dinner, knowing that it will be out of your system by the time baby feeds in the early morning. I actually found their routine quite easy to deal with (particularly as they would always go straight back to sleep after a 2am feed, no settling required).

Cheers

**westerner** · 03-04-2008 21:37

Originally Posted by xkwzit

They never worked for my DDs either. They were down for the count at about 6 - 7 pm and would not wake until 2 am. I would get them up, play with their feet, tried a wet washer on their cheeks and changed their nappies - they would not wake. I would express into their mouths to try to get them interested - nothing. So pointless.

But there are great things about kids with this kind of pattern. You can go out to dinner and you know the sitter won't have to feed them. Just feed, put down and go. Or you can have a glass of wine with dinner, knowing that it will be out of your system by the time baby feeds in the early morning. I actually found their routine quite easy to deal with (particularly as they would always go straight back to sleep after a 2am feed, no settling required).

Cheers

Exactly the same in my house with my DD..

**blissfullybonkers** · 03-04-2008 22:07

they didnt work for me, DD was 'sleeping through' but the CHN wanted me to do it cos DD was on the smaller side(not underweight) and it completely mucked her up she wasnt hungry and she just got disturbed by me trying! from 4months old til 8 months!!! i was exausted everyday!

**Leisa21** · 03-04-2008 23:47

I wont wake my baby, I dont believe in it. My idea was he will get into a pattern and sleep through when ready. Most nights he sleeps from 8:30 to 4:30 but a few times a week he wakes at 1am or 2am. I just bring him in bed with DH and I and he feeds back to sleep. Its quite nice really. My MIL kept telling me to wake him I was making a rod for my back

, yes MY back I used to tell her, not hers so stick it