Cluster & Dream Feeding Support/Chat

[* Paula *]

You could try the DF at 11 and see how your lo does.

Alternatively if you did not go that route, you could cluster feed at say 5:30 and then again at 7:30 after bath, so lo is nice and relaxed after the bath and then put to bed and do the DF at 10 - 10:30.

Which ever you try, give it at least a week before you decide that it is working or not working for your lo.

Good luck and keep us posted on how you get on.

[HLS]

Yeah, maybe i'll try the 5.30pm and 7.30pm, followed by a 10.30pm df.  If she takes 4oz normally how much should i expect her to take in at the cluster feeds?

[* Paula *]

I would make up normal bottles for a few days and just guage how much your lo drinks and then can adjust from there.

Good luck, keep us posted on how you get on.

[Sandy C.]

Hi, I hope you don't mind that I jump in, but I am a little confused when it comes to cluster feeding, are they suppose to be having a nap in between clusters or is it awake time, my little bub is going great throughout the day sticking with a 3 hour easy routine but it hits cluster feeding time and DF time and we get a little confused with what we are suppose to do, we do the DF (most of the time he is awake) it is hard to get him back to sleep (he is only 2 1/2 weeks old) then wakes up nearly 1-2 hours with wind, and is difficult to resettle, have we commenced this routine to early, should we just be feeding him every 3 hours, we are unsure and in the middle of the night (as I am trying to learn the ropes of breast feeding) it is hard to latch on etc and we are tired.  so if someone could help us understand the cluster feeding a little better, I think that, that may help.
Cheers Sandy

[* Paula *]

Hi Sandy,

Congratulations on the birth of your lo - he is so cute

I would not worry too much about the cluster feeding at this stage, just concentrate on getting your lo onto a good feeding routine and working on your latch.  Once you both know each other a little better, you can then start working on your routine.

I think at around about 3-4 weeks of age, my DD got herself into her own cluster feeding routine, and we kept it up for a few weeks - think it must have been a growth spurt.

With the cluster feeding, your lo will generally have a cat nap between feeds, so that will help your lo get through until the next feed.

Have you tried doing the DF while your lo is asleep?  This way they take in a lot less air, so your lo should not be as windy.

Keep us posted on how you get on.

[Sandy C.]

thanks paula,
my LO is now 6 weeks, and we have managed to find an afternnon routine that suits us all thanks for your advice
Sandy

[* Paula *]

Hi Sandy,

I am pleased that things have settled down for you  Keep us posted on how you get on.

[CharlieR]

HI Bensmum
That is exactly what I was going to ask.  At 7 weeks my wee boy was going from 8pm to 4am, the first night I introduced a dream feed to get him through the night he lasted to 5.30 am and we thought Great, but he hasn't doesn't since,  in fact he wakes up earlier now at 2 or 3 for a feed.  Like you I thought the dream feed would extend his sleep.  He will be 9 weeks on Sunday and we have been unable to move on.
The alternative was to add another bottle in the day bringing him back to 3 - 31/3 hours between feeds instead of 4 hour, so he gets more in the day, but that doesn't seem to help either.
Can anyone suggest getting what to do about dreamfeeds?   

[CharlieR]

Just realised that the message I replied to was years old, can anyone now shed any light on getting baby through the night? thanks

[* Paula *]

The DF does not work for every lo.  Sometimes it can actually cause more night wakings as it can interfer with their sleep.  Have you tried cluster feeding instead?

[loub]

Advice please-I am totally unsure which to do-DF or CF...
 
DS is 10 weeks old and 13 lbs so feeding going well. He is pretty good during the day and we roughly follow EASY. Prob is the nights-
Option 1-the DF is finally working in that he takes the bottle (his only 1) instead of fussing like he used to. He then goes for approx 4 hours and is therefore awake at 3 or 4. I then BF him but he'll only take 10 mins and then drop off despite my best efforts. Then fusses a bit in cot, wakes 2 hours from start of feed and then...it's morning and I've been awake since 4 : (  I know his night should be 11ish til morning but he goes for such a short period IMO and then it's morning.   I do not why he only goes this long as he has the max amount of extra hungry formula and you'd think as a BF baby this would be v filling. He does seem v hungry by the way when he does his 10 mins. I don;t think he's having us on. His last bedtime feed is 6/7.
OR
Last bedtime feed at 6/7 then a CF at 8-8.30 (BF), wait for him to wake (usually around 1-2), DH gives him the bottle then back to sleep til 6   
The second option seems silly as we're creating a nightfeed and going against BW, plus DH has to get up to do bottle.

Please advise-we have talked over and over and over it until we're blue in the face and cannot make a decision...   

[* Paula *]

What time are you doing the DF?  How many oz is your lo having?

Have you tried re-settling your lo when he wakes in the night to see if he is actually waking out of hunger or habit?

[rayanne7826]

Question about the dream feed...my son is is just about four months I am going to start dream feeding but not sure how many ounces to offer.
One other question, what about wet diapers, isn't he going to wake up from it?

[* Paula *]

When offering the dream feed, most mums offer a normal size bottle to see how much their lo takes and then alter it after a few days.

With regards to the nappies, perhaps try the next size up nappy at night that way there won't be any leaks.

[LisaK1]

Hi All,

Sorry to jump in but I'm confused.

My LO took the DF for the first 3 weeks of trying it (he was then approx 8 weeks old).  He is now 12 weeks and for the last week he has only been taking between 1 and 2 oz at the 10:30 - 11pm DF.  He is on a 3.5-4 hour feed schedule at 7:15am (7oz), 11am (6oz), 2:45pm(7oz), 6:30pm(6oz) and then 10:30pm (1-2 oz).  He is sleeping through from 11pm to 7am, which is great but it is a bit of a gamble as some nights in this last  week when he simply wouldn't take the DF he woke at 3am looking for a feed.   Has anyone any ideas on how I can take the uncertainty out of the DF situation as I go to bed wondering what might happen at the DF and therefore if we are going to get a restful night.  Any advice, should I CF instead?

Thanks
Lisa