What's dream feeding, you ask? Well, it has just about changed my life, at least my sleeping life. I've had more sleep in this past week than I have in the past 5 months. I read about this in a book earlier in the week and just had to give it a try. Here's the deal ...
It's fairly common for babies around Eden's age and younger to go to sleep "for the night" around 8, sleep through the next feeding around 11, and wake up wanting to eat around 2 a.m. This is not so bad for mom or dad if they can go to sleep at 8 with the little one. However, if you go to bed at a more reasonable hour (let's say midnight or so), you only get a few hours before waking again ... this was my life since Eden's 4 month growth spurt.
Well, with the dream feed, you feed the baby right before you go to bed (perhaps around 11 p.m.) WITHOUT waking her up. Lots of moms do this naturally with breast feeding during the night ... keeping the lights low, not talking to the baby, and not burping afterward. With dream feeding, you just initiate the feed instead of waiting on baby to wake up later.
What's the verdict? I LOVE IT. Eden's eyes just barely open. I touch her lower lip with my pinky to get her started. She drinks down a few ounces, and then sleeps til 6:30 or 7 ... no kidding!!
Just wanted to share in case it helps out any other parental newbies out there. Good luck!
- ashley
p.s. Here's a cute pic of Eden asleep in her crib at her CC's and Granddaddy's this week. I know it doesn't exactly go with the "dream feeding" theme, but hey, it's cute!
2 comments:
I didn't realize this had a name. I've done this with both Spencer and Josh to get them to sleep through the night (or at least longer!) earlier. We called it "topping them off". :)
Eventually they don't even need that feeding and you can just nurse them once at their bedtime. Hooray!
Yep, I agree...we did the same thing! I didn't know it had a name either! It was great! Wait til she starts getting teeth...you'll do the same thing with the Motrin!!
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