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?
Here I will show you the benefits, potential downsides, and tips for introducing (and eventually weaning) a dream feed.
What Is a Dream Feed?
A dream feed is a late-night milk feed you give your baby while they are still drowsy, typically around the time you go to bed, usually between 10 and 11pm. The idea 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 maintain this "top-up" feed as part of their baby’s routine to extend their first stretch of sleep.

Benefits of a Dream Feed
A dream feed offers several advantages, both for you and your baby:
Longer Sleep Stretches: By filling your baby’s tummy before you head to bed, you may get a longer window of uninterrupted sleep before they wake again for a feed.
Partner Involvement: If you’re bottle feeding, this can 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 those sweet snuggles before you go to sleep yourself.
Is a Dream Feed Necessary?
While a dream feed can be helpful in the early months, it’s not always essential. It’s important to weigh the potential downsides:
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 feed 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
Introducing a Dream Feed
If you decide to try a dream feed, here are some key tips for success:
Keep Your Baby Drowsy: While feeding, ensure your baby stays relaxed and calm. You can gently rouse them enough to feed by tickling their feet or offering the breast or bottle.
Proper Feeding Position: Hold your baby in a position where they can take milk safely and won’t choke, 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 about 2.5–3 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 can be a great tool to extend your baby’s sleep and help you catch up on rest during those early months. However, it’s not a long-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.
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.
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