If you’re a parent, chances are you’ve struggled through countless night wakings. Out of desperation, you’ve probably Googled every possible “fix” to help your baby sleep longer stretches. One popular suggestion you’ll find is the dream feed.
But here’s the truth: I’m not a fan of dream feeds, and most families I work with don’t find them to be the miracle solution they hoped for. Let’s dive into what a dream feed actually is, why it often doesn’t deliver, and what you can do instead.
What Is a Dream Feed?
A dream feed is when you feed your baby several hours after bedtime, usually between 9–11 p.m., right before you head to sleep yourself. The goal is to “top off” your baby’s belly while they are asleep (or very drowsy) so that, in theory, they’ll sleep longer into the night.
In practice? Many parents find that even after a dream feed, their baby still wakes just a few hours later. If your baby isn’t sleeping significantly longer stretches after a dream feed, it’s not working.
What About Night Feeds?
It’s important to remember that night feeds are completely normal for newborns—they need multiple feeds overnight to grow and thrive.
By around 4 months, if your baby is ready to learn independent sleep skills, they can often begin stretching longer between feeds.
By around 6 months, many healthy, thriving babies are capable of sleeping 11–12 hours overnight without feeds.
👉 If your baby still wakes for a feed, my #1 tip is this: make sure they are fully awake during the feeding.
Why? Because if your baby is fed to sleep, they’ll associate feeding with falling asleep. That means every time they come out of a natural sleep cycle (every 60–90 minutes), they may need you to feed them again. This is often what’s happening during the dreaded 4-month sleep regression.
Why I Don’t Recommend Dream Feeds
While some families swear by dream feeds, here’s why I don’t typically recommend them:
They don’t usually extend sleep. Most babies still wake just a few hours later. The feed is shifted, not eliminated.
Babies don’t feed well half-asleep. Without the brain-to-belly connection of eating while awake, the feed can feel more like mindless snacking than a satisfying meal.
They can create a habit. Waking baby at the same time each night trains their body to expect a feed—even if they’re not truly hungry.
They interrupt natural sleep rhythms. The long-term goal is consolidated, restorative nighttime sleep for everyone in the family. Dream feeds often work against that.
So What Should You Do Instead?
✨ If dream feeds are working for you and your baby—keep going. There’s no need to change what’s already working for your family.
✨ If dream feeds are not helping your baby sleep longer (6+ hour stretches), I suggest stopping. Here’s how:
Simply stop offering the feed.
When your baby naturally wakes, wait a few minutes to see if they resettle.
If they remain awake and hungry, feed them—but keep them fully awake for the feed before putting them back to bed.
Over time, this helps babies learn to connect sleep cycles without relying on unnecessary feeds.
Final Thoughts
Dream feeds might sound like a quick fix for sleepless nights, but for most babies, they don’t deliver the results exhausted parents are hoping for. Your baby (and you!) deserve consistent, restorative sleep.
If you’re struggling with night wakings and aren’t sure how to move forward, you don’t have to do it alone.
👉 Book a free discovery call today to learn how I can support your family and help your baby sleep through the night. Schedule your call here