Formula before bed

[Nicnak2223]

My DS is 17 weeks and ebf (breast and bottle) and sleeps well (sleep by 7,dream fed at 1030 fed at 4 then awake at 7)

The problem is he wakes at 7 wants to play for 10 mins then we have at least an hour of screaming as he is still tired but over tired/ hungry, a friend suggested formula for his night feed.

My question is does any one have any experience of formula making babies sleep longer/better. If I introduced it ashis dreamfeed would this possibly cut out the 4 am feed and help him. I'm happy to keep bf him but I can't bear the fight every morning whilst my DH abd I ate tag teaming showering with trying to get DS to sleep!

Sorry to ramble

[tiktok]

So your friend thinks a formula feed at 7 pm would stop him waking at 7 am? And that he would sleep more than 12 hours with this formula feed?

Sorry if I have misuderstood the timings here, but if this is what is being suggested, then the answer is 'probably not'.

[jamhot]

DS slept equally badly after switching to formula.

That's not what we swapped for, but it was still interesting to note absolutely no difference in his sleep

[tiktok]

Sorry, just re-read - the formula would be at 10.30.

No, there is no evidence this would make any difference, sorry.

The research that has been done on this - not very much - is that babies who are fully breastfed end up with their parents having more sleep, not less.

[Nicnak2223]

It's more so he didn't wake at 4 hungry then hopefully when he wakes at 7 he isn't still tired.

Not that it matters but this isn't so I get more sleep as I think I'm doing pretty well on that front.

Thanks for the replies

[MigGril]

As tiktok said there is no evidence that formula will help him sleep better.

Could be just be hungry when he wakes in the mornin? Have you tired feeding him straight away rather then waiting. Mite be worth trying as maybe he doesn't realise he's hungry till he's woken up a bit and then it's getting a bit fraught.

[kaymondo]

I ebf DS1 and was told be everyone that giving one formula feed at bedtime would help him sleep for longer. I gave it a try eventually when he was around 4 months old and it made absolutely no difference at all to his sleep patterns.

[Nicnak2223]

Thanks everyone this is what I thought may going to have to get used to grizzly baby. I have tried feeding when he first wakes he won't latch.

[TheEmperorNotTheSalad]

I very much doubt formula will make a difference. I formula fed DS1 and had this exact battle. Now EBFing DS2 and we have the same challenge.

IMO the whole 'formula = more sleep' theory is bollocks.

In DS1's case it was just an annoying phase that he quickly grew out of. I'm sure your DS will do the same. In the meantime for you as the morning battle is tough and wearing.