"dream feed" suggestions?

Jazzyashes84 · July 2012

Our routine HAS been to put him down for bed at 10:30pm (at 9:45 we do a quick bath, read a book, then feed him and put him in his crib and he falls asleep no problem). He'll sleep 5-6hrs, eats, and then sleeps another 2-3hrs.

I am going back to work next week. I've noticed a lot of people put their LO's to bed earlier than we do. That would be nice since I'd love a little "me" time to do some things before bed, ect, since I'll be at work all day.

So my question is, let's say I start the routine earlier and put him down in his crib by 9pm. Should I wake him up for the so called "dream feed" before I go to bed (around 11)? I'm just trying to avoid having to get up twice in the night...not sure what to do.

nomnommama · July 2012

I would recommend gradually making his bedtime earlier by 15 minute intervals and see how he does that way rather than just putting him to bed at 9.. He may surprise you!

tjkdlhb · July 2012

DD usually falls asleep at about 9 on her own...I wake her at about 11 to change/feed before I go to bed... she usually wakes again at 3or 4 and then at 6-7... lately she's been going back to sleep then until 9.

MelissaMiso · July 2012

Other than the first two weeks, I never wake my girl to feed her. I am blessed that she is a good sleeper and can go between 7-10 hours straight (knock on wood). She continues to gain weight in a healthy curve so the "skipped" feeding has not been a problem. I was putting her to be late (11:30 or 12) and when started putting her to bed a few hours earlier, she actually just slept more. I'm guessing this is due to being in her crib longer during the dark of night.

Good luck with the changes in schedule. Little one may indeed surprise you.

stemms8810 · July 2012

It's worth a shot! I tried the dream feed because DS is ready for bed about 8pm and will wake around 1 or 2am. I would like his first wake up to be later like 4 or 5 so I can feel like I get a longer stretch of sleep. Unfortunately I can't go to bed at 8pm

I did a dream feed one night and he still woke up at 1 or 2am. Sooo, I am going to try it again to see if it will work.

hay1122 · July 2012

Agree with PP's in making LO's bedtime a little earlier every night. Once we started our routine we were aiming for bedtime at 6pm, but gradually it's been getting later to about 730 which is happiest for everyone. DD wakes up around 2am and then 5am, but you never know what's going to happen. Last night she only woke up once at 3:30. As she get older and we stick with our routines we'll see how she responds. I've wondered the same thing about doing a dream feed, but haven't incorporated that into our routine yet. Let us know how it goes.

k4slr6 · July 2012

We always turn down the lights and feed LO around 7 or 8 whenever she is hungry and she falls asleep. I get cleaning and things ready for the next day and some me time in until 11 when she wakes up. We feed her and then swaddle her and put her in bed for the night. I have to wake her at 6:15 so I can feed her and I can get to work on time now. Otherwise if I don't wake her she will sleep in until 7.

desertsun · July 2012

I agree with PPs -- try shifting your routine earlier by 15 min each day.

I personally would NOT wake him to feed him. He might wake earlier after his usual 5-6 hours, or he might start sleeping longer. Won't know til you try!