Cluster & Dream Feeding Support/Chat

[brittsmom]

I have a question about the dream feed. I haven't started it yet with my 4 week old. She is on formula from a bottle. Do you get them out of their crib for the feeding or leave them in the crib? How does this work? I'm nervous about not burping her during this feeding. Any advice would be appreciated.

[* Paula *]

You pick your lo up out of the crib.  It can be very dangerous leaving them lying flat in the crib and feeding them as they can choke and it can also cause ear infections.

Pick your lo up, and rub the teat of the bottle onto your lo's mouth, once your lo opens their mouth you can manipulate the teat in and wiggle it around until your lo starts drinking.

It may take a few days for your lo to actually drink a big amount, but stick with it for at least a week to see if it works for your lo or not.

With regards to burping, your lo will not need burping if the feed has been in her sleep.  When they sleep and feed they take in a lot less air, so should not require burping.

[alitamurguia]

I have a 7 month old boy and the dream feed has been working great!  He has been sleeping all night for 4 months now, When is it time to end the dream feed and how do I do it?

[* Paula *]

Hi and welcome to BW website.

Tracy suggest weaning the DF at around 7 months.  She says the best way to do this is to start dropping the oz's every and bringing the feed 30 mins earlier every 3 days.  This way it helps your lo adjust to taking more calories during the day.

[ccb9801]

We have 8 1/2 month old B/G twins and we decided to begin stopping the DF at 8 months rather than 7 since they are 25th %ile and below in weight.  DD, who is below 10th%ile in weight is adjusting GREAT, however, cannot get DS to eat and drink enough during the day to satisfy him. He also got all 4 teeth during this time and his nose has been running a bit for the last week, so am not sure if the 4 and 5 am awakening is because of the DF or other "issues."  Any advice???

Thanks!

[* Paula *]

Can you post your routine of what your DS takes both bottle and solid wise?

What size teat is your lo using?  Do you think he could be ready to go up a teat size?

[ccb9801]

The schedule is USUALLY

Wake up- 6:15
6:30-Eat- 1/4 c. cereal and 5-6 ounces (including what is put into the cereal)
7:00-8:45- Activity
8:45-10:30-NAP
10:30- 5 ounces (I make all of his bottles 7 oz, but, I am lucky if he eats 5) and fruit
11-1- Activity
1-2:45-NAP
2:45- 5 ounces and vegetable
3:15-6- Activity
6-7- 5-6 ounces and 1/4 cup oatmeal and bath
7-10- Sleep
10- Dream Feed -  we originally were doing the DF at 10:30 and put it back 15 mins. per 3 days BUT stopped at 10 for the moment because he has been waking up JUST ABOUT every night. 

Any advice you may have is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
ccb9801

[* Paula *]

Looks like he has a good routine. 

What size teat are you using?

[fabimarques]

Hello. I have a 11-week-old baby and have been DFeeding him since week 2. Although he stills wakes up around 3-4 everynight. And then goes untill 6:30, 7. I was thinking about using formula on his DF ( I heard it takes longer to be digested so the baby takes longes to be hungry) to see if he goes trough all night. Does that make any sense at all??? Please answer me !!!

[* Paula *]

Formula does take longer to digest than breast milk, so it is quite possible that it will keep your lo fuller for longer.

Has your lo had formula before or will this be the first time you will be introducing it?

Having a waking for a feed after the DF, is very common for a lo this age.  Sounds like your lo is doing well.

[fabimarques]

It would be the first time. He takes the milkbottle sometimes, but always with my expressed milk. Wiil I ruin things if give him the formula at the DF??? I need to sleep sooo bad.

[* Paula *]

I don't think you will ruin things at all.  However, you have to take into account that the formula could give him gas / tummy ache, as his tummy is not used to it.

Personally before trying it at night, I would probably try it for a feed in the AM so that you can watch him and see how he does.

Remember though that introducing a formula feed instead of a BF can quite possibly affect your supply, so would continue to pump to help compenstate for it.

[fabimarques]

Hello. I tried the formula for 4 days. I'd give him 90ml of formula, then put him in my breast to finish his "meal"( and pump afterwards to empty it). For 2 nights he slept straight till 5! I was so happy! but then, the 2 following nights, I did the exactly same thing, and he woke up even more than usual. At 1:45, 2:15, 3:30, untill I finally gave up and fed him. The next night same thing happened. So honestly, I don't know if the formula works or not. Tonight I'll drop it and see waht happens!!!! Thanks for the support!

[* Paula *]

Good luck, keep us posted on how things go.

[ARH]

Hi!  I'm no expert - I have twin 3 month olds so I'm new at this - but I thought I'd mention that the Baby Whisperer book says that the dream feed should never occur after 11 pm at the latest.  If you do it that late, or later, you are interrupting the baby's night sleep and the baby won't sleep as well.

I would try adding either a cluster feed before bed (7 pm and then again at 9 pm is what the book suggests, right?) or adding a little more during the day, but at least do the dream feed earlier.  We do the dream feed around 10 and they sleep soundly until 6 am-ish most mornings.