Cluster & Dream Feeding Support/Chat

[valerie h.]

Paula, I did not do the cluster feeds. We kept with our original schedule and will continue a middle of night feeding for now, as she needs it. She still woke up a couple of times, but definitely less than what she was with the cf/dfs. Also I'm going to try the w2s method as she has woken up at 1:30 am for the past several days. I don't fully wake her though, right? I just nudge her and allow her to stir a little?

[* Paula *]

With W2S, you don't fully wake them no.  Like you say, just nudge / stirr them to help them ease into the next phase of sleep.

I used to just move DD, and when she moved, would pop her dummy in and she would sleep through her original waking.  Keep it up for at least 3 days to try and break the habit.

[Nicholas06]

Hi there,

I have a 6-week old and am thinking of implementing the dreamfeed.  His schedule is a little crazy in terms of times right now but we have been trying to follow EASY since birth. 

He typically has 7 or 8 feeds in a 24 hour period, something like this.  5 am, 8 am, 11 am, 2 pm, 5 pm, 7:30 or 8 pm and about 9:30 pm or 10 pm, then between 1 am and 2 am.  We are BF'ing exclusively.

He does not always take the cluster feeds every 2 hours, but sometimes 2.5 or 3 hours he will eat in the evening.

I am wanting to know if I am able to do formula for the DF so that I don't have to worry about pumping a bottle daily for the late feed.  Since we do not typically feed at this time with breastmilk, would it be okay to do formula for the dreamfeed without messing with my milk supply? I know it is supply and demand so as I am not feeding at that time then it would be okay?

Also, I am not sure how to do cluster and DF if he will not take the cluster every 2 hours in the evening. Do I have to do cluster and DF?

Thanks!

Terri

[* Paula *]

Hi Terri,

It is up to you if you want to do the DF with Formula.  Remeber it will take your lo's tummy a bit of time to get used to the formula, and may cause gas too.

If you are wanting to drop the DF via BF then I would think it is fine.  Yes your supply will drop, but as long as you keep on BF the other feeds, then this will maintain your supply for what your lo needs.

You don't necesarrily have to do both the cluster and DF.  Most mums only do one, so if you want to drop the cluster feed and stick to the DF this is fine.

[robyn-h]

How do you know if the dream feed isn't working for you baby?  How long should you keep it up before expecting results?  My son is 8 weeks (6 weeks cause he was early).  He normally doesn't even wake up for the 2nd cluster feed at around 8.  He will only wake up for a bit when we give him a bath after that feed.  The dream feed is normally at around 10 or 11 and he will still wake up hungry 2 hours after that. 

Any suggestions?

[robyn-h]

Actually - sorry!  He is 9 weeks (7 weeks) - sleep deprivation!

[* Paula *]

It is not uncommon for a lo that young to be waking for another feed after the DF.

You generally know when the DF is not working as it tends to cause more night wakings than without a feed i.e they wake numerous times needing to be re-settled.

[robyn-h]

Thank you, I'll keep an eye on it.  I have noticed that he wont sleep for more than 3 hours since I've started the dream feed and cluster feeds.  Before he would have a 5 hour stint once in a while.  I also saw that most moms apparently only do either the cluster feed or the dream feed.  Why is this?  Is one better than the other? 

Thanks!

[* Paula *]

If a mum is finding that the DF or Cluster Feeding is not working for their lo.  i.e the DF causing extra night wakings or their lo's not taking much at the cluster feed, they will pick one and just stick with it.

How long have you been doing the DF? 

[robyn-h]

I've only been doing it for 4 nights now.  Last night I dropped the cluster feed because he barely eats any during those feeds.  But I thought I would continue doing the dream feed for a while.  And i was really surprised that he actually doesn't wake up with a burp after that feed. 

[* Paula *]

If you have only been doing it for 4 nights, I would definitely keep it going for at least a week, perhaps a bit longer with you dropping the cluster feed.

With the DF, if they take it while they are sleeping, they do not need to be burped, as they are not taking in as much wind that they would when they are awake and feeding.

Good luck, keep us posted.

[robyn-h]

Ok, thank you!  I will for sure keep it up for a little while longer then.  Is it ok for the dream feed to be 3 hours after the bed time feed?  Or should it be sooner than 3 hours?

[* Paula *]

Yes it is perfectly fine for it to be 3 hours after the bed time feed.  Keep us posted on how you get on.

[robyn-h]

Well last night I gave him the dreamfeed at 10:00 and he ended up sleeping til 2:30 - 3:00, I was amazed!  So I'm going to keep it up at 10:00 every day and see how it goes!

Thank you!

[* Paula *]

Fantastic news