The Option of a Dream Feed in Your Baby’s Sleep Schedule
Updated: Sep 16
If you’re a tired parent looking to optimise your baby’s sleep, and your own, you may have heard of the dream feed. But what exactly is it, and is it the right strategy for your baby?
What Is a Dream Feed?
A dream feed is a late-night milk feed you give your baby around the time you go to bed, usually between 10 and 11pm. The idea behind them is that a full tummy will help your baby sleep longer through the night, giving you a few extra hours of uninterrupted rest.
For newborns who naturally wake every few hours for milk, this feed often aligns with their existing schedule. However, many parents intentionally include this "top-up" feed as part of their baby’s routine to extend their first stretch of sleep.
The Perceived Benefits of a Dream Feed
A dream feed appears to offer several advantages, both for you and your baby:
Longer Sleep Stretches: By filling your baby’s tummy before you head to bed, the perception is that you may get a longer window of uninterrupted sleep before they wake again for a feed.
Partner Involvement: If you’re bottle feeding, this could be a great opportunity for your partner to take over and allow you a longer stretch of rest
Fewer Distractions: Your baby may feed more efficiently at night, as there are fewer distractions compared to daytime feeds.
Extra Cuddles: A dream feed provides one last chance to enjoy a cuddle before you go to sleep yourself.
Is a Dream Feed Recommended?
While a dream feed can be helpful in the newborn stage, it’s important to weigh the potential downsides, risks and the evidence available:
Choking concerns: You may also be waking your baby from a REM stage of their sleep cycle where their muscles are completely relaxed but they may appear awake as their sucking reflex will still be active. This could cause a choking risk if your baby isn't able to swallow properly
Habit Formation: Babies may become conditioned to wake at 10–11pm for milk, even when they no longer need it nutritionally.
Weaning Challenges: It’s best to wean the dream feed by 6 months, as babies around this age typically require only one or two feeds in the early hours to make it through until morning
A Dream Feed is not baby-led: they will be woken for a feed even if they weren't needing or wanting one
There is no evidence to suggest a dream feed will result in longer stretches of sleep
Introducing a Dream Feed
If you decide you would still like to try a dream feed, here are some key tips for success and safety:
Drowsy but Awake: While feeding, ensure your baby is awake and calm. Newborns spend a lot of their time in REM sleep, meaning their muscles are completely relaxed - this makes it difficult for them to safely feed if woken. If you do decide to give a feed, you can gently rouse them by tickling their feet or softly talking to them.
Proper Feeding Position: Hold your baby in a position where they can take milk safely and reduce the choking risk, even if they are still drowsy.
Wind Thoroughly: Always wind your baby after the feed to avoid discomfort later in the night.
Timing Matters: Aim to feed your baby around 3 hours after they go to bed to give their body time to rest and digest the earlier feed.
If your baby is in a deep sleep and doesn’t respond, wait about 15 minutes to try again when they might be in a lighter sleep phase.
Final Thoughts
A dream feed may not be appropriate for every baby, and I prefer to recommend a decent feeding schedule throughout the day, as well as gradually teaching your baby to self settle. These two elements combined should naturally encourage those longer stretches of sleep, without the introduction of a dream feed.
Remember that dream feeds are only a short-term solution and should be phased out as your baby grows. By six months, most babies are ready to start dropping their night feeds and consolidate their sleep stretches naturally.
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