Dream Feeding: What It Is and How to Do It

Dream feeding is a technique where you feed your baby while they're still asleep, usually before you go to bed yourself. The idea is to tank baby up, hopefully extending their longest sleep stretch to align with yours.

This guide explains how dream feeding works and whether it might help your family.

What You Need to Know

What dream feeding is:

Feeding baby without fully waking them
Usually done between 10 PM - 12 AM
Before parents go to sleep
Baby stays drowsy throughout

The goal:

Fill baby's stomach before your sleep stretch
Potentially extend time until next feeding
Align baby's longest sleep with your sleep
Get more consecutive hours of parent sleep

Does it work?

Works for some babies, not others
No guarantee of longer stretches
Worth trying to see if it helps your baby
Okay to stop if not helpful

How to Dream Feed

Step-by-step:

1. Pick the right time

2-3 hours after baby went to sleep
Before you go to bed
Usually 10 PM - 12 AM

2. Keep it dim

Don't turn on lights
Keep room dark
Use nightlight if needed

3. Gently pick up baby

Move slowly and quietly
Don't talk or stimulate
Keep baby as drowsy as possible

4. Offer breast or bottle

Touch nipple to baby's lips
Instinct will kick in
Baby may eat while mostly asleep
Don't force if baby won't latch

5. Feed adequately

Full feed if baby will take it
Don't worry if baby only takes a little
Usually 5-15 minutes depending on baby

6. Put baby back down

Gently, without waking
Don't change diaper unless necessary
Don't burp vigorously (may wake)
Return to safe sleep position

Tips for Success

Keep it sleepy:

The less awake, the better
Minimal stimulation
No talking or eye contact
Dark environment

Timing matters:

Too early: not hungry enough
Too late: baby wakes on their own
Experiment with timing
10-11 PM often works well

Be gentle:

Slow movements
No abrupt changes
Keep swaddle on if possible
Quick gentle burp or skip it

Track results:

Note what time dream feed happens
Track when baby next wakes
See if there's improvement
Give it a week or so before deciding

Who Dream Feeding May Help

Good candidates:

Babies already sleeping a longer first stretch
Parents going to bed later than baby
Families seeking more parent sleep
Babies who eat well without fully waking

May not help:

Babies who fully wake and won't resettle
Babies who wake frequently regardless
Babies who need to be very awake to eat
When timing doesn't extend the right stretch

Common Questions

"My baby wakes up during the dream feed":

This happens sometimes
Try picking up more gently
Try different timing
Some babies just wake—dream feeding may not be for them

"Baby won't eat during dream feed":

Some babies don't eat while drowsy
Try slightly more awake
Offer but don't force
May need to skip this technique

"It's not extending sleep":

Doesn't work for everyone
Try for a week or two before giving up
Experiment with timing
Okay to stop if not helping

"When should I stop?":

When baby sleeps through without it
When it stops helping
Usually by 6-9 months
When baby consistently refuses it

The Research

What studies show:

Limited research specifically on dream feeding
Some studies suggest it can help
Not proven to work for all babies
Generally considered safe to try

Expert opinions vary:

Some sleep consultants recommend it
Others say it's unnecessary
No harm in trying for most babies
Individual results vary

Potential Downsides

Possible issues:

Can create another feeding/waking
May not actually extend sleep
Could disrupt baby's natural rhythm
Makes parents dependent on doing it

Signs it's not working:

Baby wakes more, not less
Baby won't go back to sleep after
No change in subsequent sleep
Creating additional wake-up

When to stop:

If it's not helping
If baby resists
When baby sleeps through naturally
If you're exhausted from doing it

Dream Feeding and Breastfeeding

For breastfeeding moms:

Can help with supply (additional feeding)
May make night more comfortable (less engorgement)
Baby still gets nutritional benefits
Works similarly to formula feeding

Considerations:

Watch positioning while drowsy
Ensure good latch even when sleepy
May need to pump if baby doesn't empty breast

Dream Feeding and Safe Sleep

Keep it safe:

Feed in safe location (not lying in bed if you might doze)
Return baby to safe sleep surface after
Back to sleep position
Follow all safe sleep guidelines

Don't:

Fall asleep while feeding in unsafe location
Leave baby in position where they could roll
Prop bottle (choking hazard)

What Other Parents Ask

Q: How long should I try dream feeding before deciding if it works?
A: Give it about 1-2 weeks with consistent timing. If you see improvement, keep doing it. If no change, it's fine to stop.

Q: Can dream feeding cause more night wakings?
A: For some babies, yes—it can add a wake-up without extending sleep. If you see this pattern, stop dream feeding.

Q: Should I burp baby after a dream feed?
A: A gentle burp is fine, but avoid vigorous burping that fully wakes baby. Some parents skip burping during dream feeds.

Q: Is it okay if my baby only takes a little during dream feed?
A: Yes. Take whatever baby will eat. Some babies take a full feeding; others just snack. Either is fine.

Q: Should I change diaper during dream feed?
A: Only if baby is very wet or dirty. Diaper changes usually wake baby. If diaper is manageable, skip it to keep baby drowsy.

The Bottom Line

Dream feeding is a technique that works for some babies and not others. The idea is to feed baby while drowsy before you go to bed, potentially extending their longest sleep stretch. Try it for a week or two to see if it helps your family. If it doesn't improve sleep, it's fine to stop.

Key points:

Feed baby while drowsy (10-11 PM)
Keep it calm, dark, quiet
Goal: extend longest sleep stretch
Works for some, not all
Okay to try, okay to stop
Follow safe sleep practices

Clara is here to help you navigate newborn sleep.