Dream Feeding Method Helps Support Parents’ Sleep

Dream feeding refers to feeding your baby a few hours after they go to bed and before mom goes to sleep herself. While it can be helpful for both mom and baby, perhaps the biggest advantage is giving mom a longer stretch of uninterrupted sleep. “The sleep deprivation experienced by most new parents will drive you to try almost anything,” said Erin Hamilton-Spence, M.D., IBCLC, neonatologist at Pediatrix® Neonatology of Texas. Babies who are having feeding issues can also benefit from this method. “Dream feeding may be helpful for infants who are really struggling with weight gain to add more calories without fully waking to feed,” said Dr. Hamilton-Spence.

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