Have you been trying to add hours of sleep for your baby by feeding them in their sleep at night? If yes, you have been practicing dream feeding! But maybe, you're ready to cut the dream feed. So, when and how do we go about this? Let's explore the ins and outs of getting rid of dream feed without problems; thus ensuring smooth transition for both mother and child into longer uninterrupted nights.
What is a Dream Feed?
Before we get into when or how to do it; let us first understand dream feeding. Imagine quietly breastfeeding your little one while they are still asleep. This is meant to ensure they have a full tummy before you (mom) goes to bed so that they can have a longer stretch of sleep (instead of getting woken up shortly after you've fallen asleep). Think of it as a secret mission for more sleep!
Spotting the Signs: How Do You Know When to Drop Dream Feed?
Your baby won’t send you a calendar invite for when to stop dream feeding but will give some clues. More extended periods at night without waking up, less enthusiasm towards the dream feed or even more wake-ups as a result of having fed are all indicative that it’s time to phase out this.
When to Stop Dream Feed Breastfeeding
Mothers who breastfeed may be concerned about their supply whenever they drop the dream feed. Usually, when babies start sleeping for longer hours and moms’ breasts have established enough supply corresponding to their daytime requirements then that means there could be room for gradually stopping the practice of giving them milk after going down. This may happen around the introduction of solid foods and reduced dependence on nightly nursing.
Timing It Right: What Age to Cut Out Dream Feed
There isn’t any specific age because every child’s sleeping habit as well as mealtime is different. However, most babies are ready to drop the dream feed between 3 and 6 months. This period is also associated with such developmental stages as learning how to sleep on their own and introducing solids during the day.
The Weaning Whys and Hows: How to Cut Out a Dream Feed
Reducing the duration or amount of the dream feed gradually over some nights can help both you and your baby adapt. Begin by decreasing what you offer in terms of quantity or shortening the breastfeeding time slightly. By using this slow tapering technique, your baby’s body will have ample time to adjust so that it could start getting its calories when needed, which is during day time rather than at night.
First Steps to Fade the Dream Feed
A start can be made by examining both your readiness as well as that of your child in relation to giving up the dream feed thing. It is a joint decision. Once this has been agreed upon, commence weaning process softly. Remember this does not have to happen overnight; slowly but surely.
Handling Nighttime Wakes
As you fade out the practice of feeding your child while asleep at night, they may begin waking up during that time when you used to give them milk for dreams. In case it is possible comfort them without feeding back into slumber so that they learn how to sleep again without eating an extra bit of food.
Shifting Daytime Feeds
To ensure your baby doesn’t miss out on important nutrients, give him or her more frequent feeds during the day. One could encourage an extra ounce or two of milk in the daytime bottles or spend a little more time each session.
Milestone Celebration
Dropping the dream feed is an important milestone, as it indicates that your baby is growing and adjusting to more mature sleep and feeding patterns. Celebrate this transformation; acknowledge how far you have come.
Embracing the New Normal
As you bid farewell to dream feeding, embrace new rhythms for your nights and mornings. You may find that your baby (and you!) start sleeping better through the night. Enjoy those extra uninterrupted hours of sleep and appreciate how parenting has evolved.
It will be an exciting moment for any parent when transitioning their child from Dream feeds to normal ones. This can be ensured smoothly by observing signs from your child as well as using a stepwise method of weaning her off this feeding technique. Goodbye to wakeful nights and here's to more sleep at night.