dreamfeed - cold turkey vs phase-it-out

[marilyn73]

Hi Moms,
I'd like some advice on dropping the dreamfeed for my 7 month old- I've got the BWSAYP book, and have read the phase-it-out method, but we're starting from a point of my Lo only taking 4 oz, tops - at 10:30 or so - usually I breastfeed, but once in a while dad gives a bottle - which is how I stumbled upon the 4 oz finding (I've been aware of her time breastfeeding dwindling though, and for the most part ending in quite a nice fall asleep while eating, don't care how much I'm getting scenario). 

I'm debating about quitting cold-turkey, or going through phasing it out.  It's just that there aren't that many ounces to take out, and with breastfeeding, I wouldn't really be able to add them to the morning feeding - she just takes what she wants.  Also, I've already moved the DF from 11:00 (sometimes with her waking sooner), to 10:00, and I feel so bad disturbing her.  If I did try skipping the DF and Lo woke crying in the night, would I feed her that night, and then go to the phase it out approach, or shh/pat as I did when we dropped the 3 am feed?

A little background, we've just got Lo sleeping through the night in the past 2 weeks, and it's only been that long since dropping the 3am feed.  Solids are going well, and Lo has 3 good meals/day.  I'm ecstatic with our new routine, and can't believe I waited so long to tackle dropping the 3 am feed.  So I don't want to screw anything up! 

Anyone who's gone through or is going through dropping the DF - if you've got some hints, I'd really appreciate it,
thanks,
Marilyn

[~ Vik ~]

Hi Marilyn,

It's really a personal choice which way you want to go!  Have you seen the http://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=65750.0 FAQ?  It has a very detailed plan on dropping the dreamfeed gradually (with breast or bottle), if that's the way you decide to go.  The only problem with going cold turkey is the potential for night wakings, as your lo is used to consuming those calories at the df and may wake hungry later in the night (myself, I would feed in that case).

Given that you just dropped the 3am feed a couple of weeks ago, IMHO I would either phase out the dreamfeed, or wait a bit longer before dropping it cold turkey.  If she's been STTN for the past 2 weeks, I wouldn't want to mess that up!   By going a bit slower, you're letting her get used to taking in her calories during the day.  Having said that though, plenty of moms drop the df cold turkey without problems, so I don't think there is a right or wrong answer!

HTH, and good luck!
Vikki