Dream feed + still waking at normal time
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Topic: Dream feed + still waking at normal time
Posted By: Speck8
Subject: Dream feed + still waking at normal time
Date Posted: 30 August 2010 at 3:34pm
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So I've been playing around with introducing a dream feed for my 3.5 month old DS in the hope that I only have to get up once rather than twice during the night - but so far no luck.
I've done it a range of different times between 8:30pm and 10pm but he still wakes as he would had I NOT done the dream feed. He goes to bed anywhere between 6 and 7pm and sleeps for anywhere from 6 - 7.5 hours in his first stint. A couple of times he stayed pretty much asleep for the dream feed and other times he has woken but settled to sleep again easily. Do you think dream feeds work for some babies and just don't for others? Or is there perhaps something I'm doing wrong? |
Replies:
Posted By: Febgirl
Date Posted: 30 August 2010 at 4:04pm
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How long have you been trying it? It took around 2 weeks before my DD2 started extending her 1am wakeup. I think it is worth perserving personally, just be consistent and give it a few weeks.
I find that the later you do the dreamfeed the better, although too late sort of defeats the purpose of being able to get a decent stretch of sleep yourself! Even now I still dreamfeed, usually around 10:30pm and DD will sleep until 6amish, if not ill or teething  ------------- Two little girls under 2! 
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Posted By: High9
Date Posted: 30 August 2010 at 5:57pm
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Lily seems to take to it so easily no problem BUT it does work some days better than others, sometime between 10-10.30 otherwise no point trying.
Lily goes to bed at 6.30-7pm and wakes about 11, 1.30, 5 and 7... But sometimes will do 7-1, 1-5, 5-7... I did a dream feed last night at 10, she went to bed at 6.30 and slept until 1 then woke at 7.30! *stoked!* I think it's just finding the right time to go in, also making sure you do it at the right time in their sleep - so I go in during her restless stage; not fully asleep but not wide awake! HTH! ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: High9
Date Posted: 30 August 2010 at 5:58pm
ETA: Double post!  ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: ElfsMum
Date Posted: 30 August 2010 at 6:38pm
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i really think it works for some and not for others.. it certainly never worked for my two..having said that they woke naturally around then anyway and they both wake fully if i try to feed them in a dream feed(and get grumpy!) ------------- Mum to two amazing boys! |
Posted By: .Mel
Date Posted: 30 August 2010 at 7:18pm
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Dream Feeds didn't work for #3 so we flagged them after a couple of months.
After he wakes after the first stint, how long is he asleep after that? I think if he's only waking once, you are getting a good run, especially at his age. ------------- Mr Mellow (16) Miss Attitude (8) Destructa Kid (3) 
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Posted By: jano1
Date Posted: 30 August 2010 at 7:25pm
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It took a while for DF to work here, from memory DD was waking around 2 then 7am. Eventually it started working really well and kept her through til morning. I think between 10-11 is what people suggest as anything earlier will not keep them as full for the whole night. ------------- http://www.thebump.com/?utm_source=ticker&utm_medium=UBB&utm_campaign=tickers"> |
Posted By: Speck8
Date Posted: 30 August 2010 at 7:41pm
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Febgirl - I've tried it four times over the past week and a half. Did 3 nights in a row with no luck and then tried it again last night with no luck.
Mel - after his first long stint, his next stint is always 3 hours so he's waking anywhere between 3:30am and 5:30am. And then he pretty much always starts the day between 6 and 6:45am, even if fed at 5:30am. I guess I could persevere to see if it works, although a part of my is cynical that it will work. But don't get me wrong, if it did work I'd be stoked!!!! I've also been doing it earlier than 10pm most nights, just cos I struggle to stay up until even 9pm 
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Posted By: stefany3
Date Posted: 30 August 2010 at 10:19pm
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I would suggest waking him up a bit more for his dream feed perhaps... I always woke DS for his dream feed. And he usually slept for a decent stint after it.
But I have heard that some babies don't like dream feeds or dont like them being introduced too late. good luck for tonight  ------------- 
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Posted By: MamaT
Date Posted: 31 August 2010 at 9:31am
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I tried doing it with DS a couple of times. The first time he was about 8 weeks and wouldn't latch on no matter what I tried so I gave up after a few nights. I gave it a go again around 3 months and he'd latch well, have a really good feed, but still wake up about 12am desperately looking for a BF. I tried it for about a week before giving up. So although I may not have done it for long enough it didn't really work for us. -------------  
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Posted By: MrsMc
Date Posted: 31 August 2010 at 7:40pm
| stick at it for a couple of weeks, it can take a while. if it still doesnt improve maybe its not right for him |
Posted By: LJsmum
Date Posted: 31 August 2010 at 8:14pm
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6.5 - 7 hours on one stint is great for a three month old, you are so lucky! Waking twice is pretty good i would just go with it and hopefully after a few weeks the dream feeds work. Does take awhile to work though good luck -------------  
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