Ending Dream Feed and NERVOUS!

[rashope]

Hi all,

my daughter is nearly 8 months old now and I've been S L O W L Y moving the dream feed earlier until we're now at 8:30.  Last feeding before bedtime is at 6:30 - 6:45 and her wake time is 7:00.  She always wakes during the dream feed at least enough to find the nipple on her own.  It's impossible to keep from waking her for one thing because she sleeps on her belly and it isn't easy to pick her up.  I think it's probably time to drop the dream feed altogether, but I'm nervous because she sleeps so well at night, I don't want to start any night wakings!  She spends a little less than normal time at the breast during dream feeds, so I worry that she'll be missing out on too much milk if I stop now... And she drains both breasts completely during the daytime feeds...  Will I begin feeding her more solids to make up for the lost milk, or will she begin taking more milk during the day?  Do you think I need to keep moving the DF earlier a little and stop them at 8, or do you think it's time now?

Thanks!!

Becky

[RachelC]

Wow, you got further back than I did!   I stopped at 9:15 (I think, maybe 9:00).

I would suggest dropping it all together.  She feeds just 2 hours earlier and my hunch is that she is not taking much at the dreamfeed.

I understand about waking her at the dreamfeed, as we had the same issue.  You might find that she wakes around the dreamfeed time, but it is most likely a habit.  Your baby (and your body) have most likely already adjusted to her dropping that feed and she is compensating during the day.  You can try a little more solids (as long as you are bfing before the solids... I give as much solids as my lo wants).

HTH and let us know how things go 

[Carter'sMama]

Hi there!

I personally never did the dream feed but I just wanted to offer you some encouragement!  I know dropping the df can be a challenge but it sounds like you are well on your way!

It would probably be a good idea to increase solids during the day to ward off any night wakings!

Let us know what happens!

[First Time Mom]

I dropped my dd's df at 8 mths. My ped suggested dropping it earlier because it would become a habit but we continued until 8 mths due to dd's slow weight gain. My ped suggested I increase solids in the day. Prior to 6 mths if a lo needs to feed more for weight gain or shift in feeds it needs to be by bfing or formula, after 6 mths increases should be solids. I found my dd was taking less and less at the feeds and I hated that her sleep was disruptive. I did find for a few days she semi-woke and fussed but I just gave her the paci and she went back to sleep quickly.

Good luck! Not sure what time your lo goes to bed but if you have a problem with continued waking at the df time you could try to do a top up before bed. I do bath at 7, bf snack at 7:30, bed at 7:50.

[rashope]

Update!

We skipped the dream feed last night, and she slept straight through and woke at the normal time.  We, on the other hand, had a fitfull night's sleep from worrying whether she would wake up   hahaha.  She was very hungry when she woke up, and I was very full, so she had a big bf and was moaning for solids straight after.  Wahoo!!  Are we over the hump?  Or is there the chance of night wakings for the next few days while she adjusts?

I have been really worried about it, (that's why I've been dragging it out for so long) but have SOOOO been looking forward to the day we could drop the df.

Thanks for the encouragement!  Should I still be worried about tonight?

Becky

[First Time Mom]

That's great news!

I wouldn't be too worried. If she wakes it'll be at the df time and it should be relatively easy to settle her, I doubt she would suddenly start increased nws. I would perhaps try to slightly increase her food intake in the day today.

Again, congrats!

[RachelC]

CONGRATS!!!!

That is wonderful.  Sorry for your fitful sleep... that will get easier.  She may have a couple nights adjustment, but should be easy to settle.

[2peasinapod]

Good luck, Becky!
We are trying the same thing.  We have kept the DF because of slow weight gain, but I think it is time to cut it out not that my twins are almost 9 months.  We are DFing at 9:30 right now and will cut it back to 9:00 before dropping altogther.

[RachelC]

Good luck to you, let us know how it goes

[A'smommy]

Congrats Becky!  Sounds like things are going well!  GL 

We just recently stopped with the DF too.  I ended at 9:15.  I have been pumping at 9:00 so I am not so full in the am.  I usually pump about 3 or 3.5oz so I just add that too her 3:00 Bottle (if she has one, I work full time during the week) or if not I add it to her solids. 

HTH 

[rashope]

Another good night!  She hasn't even woken up at DF time   And last night I slept better too, knowing she would probably make it through   She was pretty fussy yesterday... maybe she was a little hungrier and when I fed her extra solids maybe her tummy wasn't used to it yet??    I need to post another thread about how much she eats, because it seems like a LOT!  Anyway, Yay! successful end to the DF!

[RachelC]

YAY!