To Dream Feed or not to Dream Feed...?

In order to encourage babies to sleep through the night, some parents use dream-feeding. I am no exception. For months my first child woke at least 3 times each night, had some milk and snuggled back down again happy and content. This was ok for her, but as a tired mother it took its toll. Then I read about dream-feeding and thought I'd give it a try. Dream-feeding is when you pick up your sleeping babe and feed them whilst they are still snoozing. 'WHAT? Pick up the sleeping baby when its taken hours to get them to sleep in the first place?' I hear you cry! Yes, exactly that. I must admit I was dubious at first, thinking that my daughter should naturally find her own rhythms and that I shouldn't interfere. When I did try it though, it went so well and I got the best night's sleep I'd had in ages. It went like this:

• 6.00pm bath and dimmed lights. Snuggle time and feed.
• 7.30pm Bubs asleep.

Now usually, she would wake up around midnight and unable to settle again without more milk. So...

• 11.00pm - crept quietly into bedroom and gently lifted Bubs. A little snuffling protest but no waking. Sat down and put her to the breast. She latched on without waking and fed sleepily for about half an hour. I thought I'd change her nappy at the same time so she didn't have a reason to wake later by being wet. I always used baby sleepgowns at night time as they provide a way to change a nappy with minimal disturbance to sleepy babes. I put her back in her cot and she was straight off to sleep with no fuss.

That night, instead of waking at midnight, 2.30am and then 5.30am my little Champette slept right through until 6.00am. Result! Amazed by the success of something so simple we continued this for about a year until she finally began to sleep through of her own accord.

With my second child, I had no need to dream-feed. He slept very well, especially after he got over that tricky colicky phase. Even now, he sleeps much more contentedly than his older sister.

I am neither for dream-feeding or against it. I was just happy to find something that worked at the time. However dream-feeding doesn't always work. You may rouse your baby and feed only to find that they still wake up 2 hours later. Every baby is different and there are no rules, but if you are at your wit's end with tiredness and endless night wakening then I would definitely recommend giving it a try.

Do you dream-feed? Has it worked for you or do you think that it has made your baby's sleeping habits more erratic? We would love to hear your views!