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Babies: 0 - 3 Months
EBF- Any of you tempted to give one bottle formula before bed?
I am very tempted. I know they say it is a myth, but might LO sleep longer and be fuller??? DH is convinced she doesn't sleep long because she is never really "full" and "satisfied"...
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Re: EBF- Any of you tempted to give one bottle formula before bed?
BFP 1/18/11, EDD 10/1/11. Born at 37w5d on 9/15/11.
***BFP Chart***
"There will come a time when you believe everything is finished. That will be the beginning.
Nope. My LO doesn't need anything other than breastmilk. And he sleeps pretty well as it is.
This exactly. Every baby is different and will sleep through the night at different times. My baby is bf and sleeps at least 5 or 6 hours for the first stretch of the night since 7 weeks and sometimes goes as long as 9 before waking up. Even though those 9 hour stretches are great, I have no desire to try to get more of them by changing her diet. She's clearly capable of it, and will do it all the time when she's ready.
FWIW, even if she was still only sleeping 2-3 hours at a time, I wouldn't even consider formula. I would consider formula for other, more necessary situations (like if I couldn't produce enough, allergies, etc.) but not for sleep related reasons.
normally- no. LO actually sleeps pretty well once I get her down.
during this growth spurt- yes, very tempted. but I won't. Just need to keep telling myself she's only eating this much because shes trying to bring my milk supply up. and giving her a bottle won't do that
"What did my fingers do before they held you? What did my heart do with it's love?"
We FF (LO is adopted) but I think that if you are tempted to do so, why not give it a shot. If your LO sleeps through the night that first night and you get to sleep... then maybe you could keep doing it. I think it's one thing when ppl add rice to the milk just to get extra sleep, but I don't think he will be harmed by giving it a shot.
if you are so tempted then go ahead and try it. if your LO is EBF she may end up with gas from the formula and not sleep at all!
and it is a myth, your LO will sleep longer once she is bigger. tell your DH to suck it up, it is part of being a new parent.
Tried that theory on DD1 and it wasn't working...she was up every 4 hours like clockwork until she was 10 mths old and the pediatrician suggested she would not starve (*wink*) if I cut down on nightfeedings...
Fast forward to DD2 - she sleeps from 6 - 2am has a quick snack and goes back to sleep till 7am...she is a sleeper though...
I would recommend you give her a bottle of pumped milk to see if that makes a difference or start feeding her every 2 hrs in the pm...that's what DD2 does...she eats every 2 hrs from 2pm on and sleeps like a log by 6pm on the dot...
07.22.11
10.22.13
Lurking of course but its a myth. I tried this because I was so desperate for sleep and she guzzled it down - then again the next night - and the next. Before I knew it she was eating more than I was producing, wasn't sleeping better, and ended up constipated. Jokes on me!
We were able to get back to all EBF thankfully but what a mess! I won't ever make that mistake again!
Good luck - I know its SO hard losing sleep, but trust me, LO will sleep eventually. You can do this!
I could have written this myself! Same story over here!
With my first I tried the bottle of formula theory and it didn't work. With DS#1 nursed every 2-3 hours day and night. I would have DH offer him a bottle of pumped BM if he woke up at night once he was 4 months old. It took 3 nights before he gave up the feeding and opted to just sleep. I think he needed Mommy more than food. Good luck with whatever you decide.
If you're that curious, I've tried it. Doesnt work. If anything he just barfs it up.
On the bright side, I ebf and my kid started STTN about 5 hours at 2 weeks, and now he sleeps 8-9 hours, with one last feeding (no bottles, just bfing) before bed.
Formula was invented to feed babies who absolutely wouldn't take breast milk and would have died otherwise. This is a great thing. The formula companies have done such a great job marketing formula that women have been lead to believe it is a suitable alternative to breast milk.
It isn't.
American women have been duped. I'm British and in Europe formula is used as an absolute last resort as there is simply no alternative to how good breast milk is for your baby.
There is no doubt being a FTM is hard, but we signed up for this right? I remember the first 4 weeks were brutal with he lack of sleep, things are a little better now, I'm getting more sleep, just enough to get by on.
I'm beginning to understand that each phase is fairly short before moving on to the next challenging phase. That's motherhood and it isn't going to change for the next 18 or so years.
Wake up America - advertising has screwed with you.
Flame away.