Is Dream Feeding Safe?
Dream feeding is generally safe for healthy infants when done appropriately and at the right developmental stage. Pediatric sleep specialists often recommend it as a temporary strategy to help parents get a longer initial stretch of sleep at night. However, it does not work for every baby, and its effectiveness depends on timing, sleep pressure, and individual temperament.
What Is Dream Feeding?
A dream feed is when you attempt to feed your baby right before your own bedtime, usually around 10–11 p.m., without fully waking them. The goal is to help your baby stay asleep longer during the first part of the night so your sleep aligns better with theirs.
If you are struggling to get a longer stretch of uninterrupted sleep, pediatric sleep specialists may suggest trying a dream feed. Ideally, your baby stays mostly asleep throughout the feeding and does not fully wake again until later in the night.
That being said, dream feeding does not work for every baby. Some babies fully awaken during the feed and have difficulty falling back asleep, while others may not take in enough milk while sleepy to meaningfully extend sleep. Its best attempt is done when your baby is already following its consistent wake windows.
When Is It OK to Dream Feed?
According to pediatric sleep guidance from Happiest Baby, dream feeding is most appropriate for young infants, typically between about 2 weeks and 4–6 months of age, when babies still need nighttime calories and have not yet consolidated overnight sleep (Happiest Baby).
As babies grow and their sleep patterns mature, the benefits of dream feeding tend to decrease. It is also important to consider sleep pressure — the natural buildup of tiredness that helps babies fall and stay asleep. Feeding too late or at the wrong point in the night can sometimes reduce sleep pressure and lead to more frequent waking rather than longer sleep stretches (MissPoppins).
When Dream Feeding May Not Be Helpful
Generally speaking, dream feeding is not recommended for “night owl” babies. If your baby naturally goes to sleep around the same time you do, adding a dream feed is unlikely to help and may disrupt sleep.
Dream feeding is best viewed as a strategy to align your baby’s sleep schedule with yours, not as a requirement for healthy sleep.
Example of When a Dream Feed May Help
For example, if your baby goes to bed at 7 p.m. but you do not plan to sleep until 10 p.m., your baby may naturally wake again shortly after you fall asleep. To potentially avoid that early night waking and give yourself a longer stretch of rest, you could offer a dream feed right before you go to bed.
How to Do a Dream Feed Properly
The key principle is to avoid fully waking your baby:
Keep lights dim and the environment quiet
Do not remove your baby from their swaddle
Avoid diaper changes unless absolutely necessary (do them before the feed if needed)
Aim for a full sleep since partial feeds offer little benefit
If your baby stirs slightly while feeding, that is expected. Many babies fall back asleep easily after feeding when stimulation is kept minimal.
How Long Should You Try Dream Feeding?
Try dream feeding for 3–4 nights to see if it improves sleep. If it helps, you can continue. If it does not produce the desired effect, you can stop and consider revisiting the strategy later as your baby’s sleep patterns and sleep pressure change.
When Should You Drop the Dream Feed?
Most parents stop dream feeding between 4 and 8 months of age. Consider dropping it if:
Your baby is already sleeping long stretches without it
It previously worked but suddenly starts disrupting slee[
Your baby’s sleep pressure is strong enough to support consolidated nighttime sleep (MissPoppins)
The Wake Window When Sleep Training
Babies grow their stamina gradually as they age. The average wake window for a 4- to 6‑month-old is about 2.5 to 3 hours according to Dr. Daniel Golshevsky (Dr. Golly), author of the comprehensive guide Baby Wake Windows by Age. A quick summary of his findings are as follows:
Wake Windows by Age (Dr. Golly’s Guide)
0–6 weeks: 45 to 60 minutes
6–12 weeks: 1 to 1.5 hours
3–4 months: 1.5 to 2 hours
4–6 months: 2.5 to 3 hours
6–9 months: 2.5 to 3.5 hours
9–12 months: 3 to 4 hours
12–18 months: 4 to 6 hours
18 months – 2 years: 5 to 6 hours
For more sleep training techniques, consider connecting with like pediatric sleep coaches who can offer customized plans based on your current sleep training stage by age.
Last Edited: December 18th, 2025
