So my mom said I started sleeping through the night at 3 months, is that because I was formula fed?

taylorj513 · January 2016

I always wanted to breastfeed and now that I'm pregnant I can do that. However, I am a student and it would be nice if I could sleep so I can be well rested in my classes. Do breastfed babies generally wake up more? Because I might exclusively pump or breastfeed for a couple months and switch to formula later. Because honestly, my boobs are really small and I'm wondering if they'll even be able to sustain life.

Bigboobsmcgee · January 2016

No, formula vs. breastfeeding has nothing to do with the amount your baby will sleep. The size of your boobs also has nothing to do with your ability to breastfeed and just because you are pregnant does NOT mean breastfeeding will even work. It takes a lot of work and some women can't breastfeed at all, regardless of what they do.

I really hope you are taking birthing and breastfeeding classes as well as a newborn care class. You are not going to get sleep, especially at first and you definitely will not be able to be in school right after the baby is born. It takes 6 weeks to fully heal and be cleared by the doctor but even then you probably won't be sleeping well because your LO won't be sleeping well.

The first 2 months are the hardest thing you'll probably go through so try to be as prepared as you can be. It's exhausting and depleting but wonderful at the same time. I wish you the best of luck.

dramaphile · January 2016

My LO is exclusively breastfed and she has been STTN since she was 4 weeks old. That said, she is definitely not the norm for an 8 week old, formula or breastfed. Every baby is different, and formula feeding does not determine how long a baby sleeps. Your boob size does not determine your milk production. There are many reasons people formula feed, but sleep generally is not one of them.

Bigboobsmcgee · January 2016

taylorj513 said:

Well sleep isn't the only reason, I know I won't be getting much anyway. I just think it might be easier for my baby's father with formula so he can take care of the baby too. We don't live together yet and I want the baby to be with him as much as possible because I think that it should be 50/50, I didn't make the baby by myself so he or she is his responsibility too.

In that case if you do breastfeed, you can pump and give him bottles of breastmilk to feed the baby with. I'm sure you'll figure something out. My kids had formula so I'm certainly not against using it but just know that it has nothing do with sleeping better

mamamadelyn · January 2016

In terms of sleeping, I found there isn't a difference between breast and bottle feeding. Your baby will wake up once, twice, six times a night, or maybe not until morning no matter what you feed him/her. It's all about a routine and how attentive and intune you are to your baby's needs throughout the day. Helping your baby to realize night time means an extended period of sleep takes diligence and patience. There will be other causes for why the babe doesn't sleep...hunger is just one of many.

My son began sleeping through the night at 7 weeks and that's only because of how much effort I put into recognizing and meeting his needs during the day so he felt secure and satisfied enough to sleep through the night.

Bigboobsmcgee · January 2016

Also, read through the threads on the 0-3 month board. It's a real eye opener and will give you a little taste of what life with a newborn is really like and what some of these women struggle with.

taylorj513 · January 2016

I know it's not a given that I'll breastfeed but what I mean is that I can try. And I know I won't be in school right after the baby is born. But by the time I go back the baby will be about three months old. Thank you, I was just wondering if there was any connection.

taylorj513 · January 2016

Well sleep isn't the only reason, I know I won't be getting much anyway. I just think it might be easier for my baby's father with formula so he can take care of the baby too. We don't live together yet and I want the baby to be with him as much as possible because I think that it should be 50/50, I didn't make the baby by myself so he or she is his responsibility too.

GoogleMD · January 2016

taylorj513 said:
Well sleep isn't the only reason, I know I won't be getting much anyway. I just think it might be easier for my baby's father with formula so he can take care of the baby too. We don't live together yet and I want the baby to be with him as much as possible because I think that it should be 50/50, I didn't make the baby by myself so he or she is his responsibility too.

I really think this is a poor idea. Babies need their mommies a lot the first year. I certainly think dad can and should be involved but there are times a baby just wants to be snuggled by mom. I would urge you to educate yourself because you sound very naive about how your life is about to change

Bigboobsmcgee · January 2016

GoogleMD said:

Well sleep isn't the only reason, I know I won't be getting much anyway. I just think it might be easier for my baby's father with formula so he can take care of the baby too. We don't live together yet and I want the baby to be with him as much as possible because I think that it should be 50/50, I didn't make the baby by myself so he or she is his responsibility too.
I really think this is a poor idea. Babies need their mommies a lot the first year. I certainly think dad can and should be involved but there are times a baby just wants to be snuggled by mom. I would urge you to educate yourself because you sound very naive about how your life is about to change

I sort of agree and I think OP will realize this once the baby is here. My daughter is 15 months old and still prefers me 90% of the time. Yes my husband helped make the kids but mom is usually numero uno in their minds.

chewie5990 · January 2016

formula does take longer for babies to digest than breastmilk, so often formula fed babies stay full longer which could cause them to sleep longer since they won't wake up hungry as often as breastfed babies.

taylorj513 · January 2016

Well half the time the baby is with him I will be too and I'm not talking about 5 days old and he or she is going with their father just the two of them. But we don't really have a choice, once my maternity leave is up I have to at least pick up a very part time job because we need the money. We're not rich. Papi or grandma is going to have to watch the baby so we can have a shot at affording to take care or him or her. Educate myself? What do you think I'm doing on here? I'm asking questions so I can hear answers from moms. I'm about to have a baby, I'm not just sitting around looking stupid until it comes and I don't know what to do.

taylorj513 · January 2016

I realize that I'm going to be pretty important in their lives but I can't be with the baby 24/7, it's ideal but it's just not realistic for our particular situation. I need to go to work and I need to go to school once I'm off maternity leave which I think will be about 6-8 weeks. I need to get a new job after I have the baby so really it's going to be as long as we can afford me not working but 6 weeks at the least because I need to heal and be with the baby when he/she is really little.

taylorj513 · January 2016

Yeah, that was my thought, I wasn't sure though.

NurseRieger · January 2016

Relax the raging pregnancy hormones everyone on this thread is trying to be helpful. Breastfed babies generally take longer to wean from night feedings but formula will not make baby sleep through the night. If you want to BF go for it but be flexible and don't pressure yourself too much. It seems like you've got a lot on your plate and juggling school, work, baby is going to be tough. Forget about baby sleeping through the night, anyone who tells you a baby under 6 months sttn is lucky and not the norm. I suggest focusing more on who and what your support system will be and how to make your situation work. It's been done plenty of times by other moms so you can make it happen but figure out how much help you're getting and be realistic about what you can handle.

GinnyJ2012 · January 2016

You can also mix formula and breast feeding. Realize that STTN isn't 8-12 hours for an infant. Baby will have several night feedings regardless of the type of feeding. Some people either pump or use formula so dad can take a night time feeding, but someone will be getting up with baby. From your other post I know you're getting, or already have a one bed room apartment, so I'm assuming you're not planning on baby living in two separate locations. I think that's what people were saying, that baby should live with mom and not between two homes early on. Given your age, have you checked if your state offers child care assistance so that you can attend class and graduate?

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