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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To suggest that ff babies are generally more content than breastfed babies?

931 replies

mrsb26 · 08/12/2015 20:16

...because they are fuller for longer?

Following on from an article I read recently regarding a study that suggested that of its recipients, the ff babies were generally deemed to be more calm, easy to settle to sleep etc than breastfed babies.

I know this is bound to be a taboo subject, but I must say, as a breastfeeding mother myself to a 4 month old dd, I have considered whether she'd be more satisfied on formula. She's not the easiest of babies and, to me, seems fussier and more demanding than her formula fed peers.

For example, she is really hard to settle to sleep for naps. She will sometimes feed to sleep, but not always (I know this is a debate on itself). I have never been to the shops or out for a walk for half an hour without her fussing (even if it's just for a little bit). She will sit on my knee or go to someone else for five minutes tops before fussing and starting to cry.

I'm not doubting the benefits of the quality of breastmilk, obviously. I guess I just feel like I'm filling up a tank that's emptying as quick as it's filling^^ and that she's never fully satisfied. I know breastmilk is digested quicker, but still.

She has no issues re: reflux, tongue tie or anything either.

Of course there are behavioural differences amongst all babies, but as a general rule, what is your opinion? Interested to hear from anyone who has perhaps breastfed one baby and formula fed another.

OP posts:
Dontneedausername · 08/12/2015 20:20

I BF both for approx 2 weeks and then went into formula.
One was fab, settled for naps and much more content.
One was a devil child, grumped and cried for about 12 months...
child one was happy on a 4 hr schedule.
Child two always wanted to eat...
Formula certainly didn't keep him fuller or happier!

JasperDamerel · 08/12/2015 20:22

I think that breastfed babies tend to be more demanding (although this is by no means a hard and fast rule - I've seen plenty of demanding formula fed babies and passive breastfed ones). But I think that being demanding is probably better for the baby, as long as the parens/caregivers are responsive. if those demands are met, the baby is likely to spend more time suckling, being held and being talked to, all of which are very good for the baby's development.

MrsCampbellBlack · 08/12/2015 20:23

YABU

It depends very much on the baby in my opinion having bf 3 children.

The tricksiest baby is now the tricksiest child and I suspect this will continue into adulthood Wink

Thingsthatmakeugoummmm · 08/12/2015 20:24

I think that it's true. I bottle fed both children. They were both into 4 hourly routines very quickly and both slept through the night at 6 weeks. Both were contented and happy. I always knew how much they had. I had friends who breast fed at same time as mine were young. They tended to be less content

You need to do what's right for you and your baby. There could be many denominators as to why babies are more or less content.

Listen to your instincts :)

Hassled · 08/12/2015 20:24

My oldest two (of 4) were FF. One was insanely fussy and ill-content and never slept and nearly broke me. Hated the concept of sleep, never really happy. He became a really easy, lovely toddler.
Youngest two were both BF. And again, one of those was a miserable fretty sort of baby who hated sleep, couldn't be put down - but then became an easy toddler.
The two who were easy babies were much harder work as toddlers.

So no, I can't detect a BF/FF easy/hard-work baby pattern at all.

AnnaMarlowe · 08/12/2015 20:24

I have twins. Both EBF.

One settled easily and one didn't.
One slept well and the other didn't.
One fussed and one didn't.

Among my friends I didn't particularly see a correlation between ff and bf children and settling well.

ff babies had far more exploding nappies

thelouise · 08/12/2015 20:24

This is going to kick off. Be warned.

YABU btw.

EatDessertFirst · 08/12/2015 20:24

My DD had a tongue tie that made breastfeeding very difficult and stressful. We FF her from 6 weeks and yes, shexwas much more settled and generally happier.

DS was a lazy latcher and he was FF from around day 2 as I didn't have time/support to sit for hours persuading him to feed. He was a very settled, happy baby.

So anecdotally, YANBU in my opinion. But every baby is different so YABabitU to generalise.

SewingAndCakes · 08/12/2015 20:25

I've had 3 bf boys and they've all been different; 2 were content and easy, one was hard work. I think there's more to it than just what they're fed on.

BillBrysonsBeard · 08/12/2015 20:26

I can only give my experience, which is in agreement with you.. My baby settled so well once on formula, always satisfied and slept well. I felt human again so it was best for both of us.

RudeElf · 08/12/2015 20:26

It is my experience of two babies. One BF until 7 weeks who slept through the night 7-7 from 9 weeks and took a 2ish hour nap daily until around 2 years old. Baby two EBF til 6 months and then solids and BF til 20 months. He didnt sleep through the night til 16 months and didnt sleep during the day until 9 months.

No idea if there is a connection between FF/BF and sleeping but its my experience.

LadySilvia · 08/12/2015 20:27

FF DS1 was very content.
BF DS2 was even more content.

toots111 · 08/12/2015 20:27

Ha ha ha. Tell that to my formula fed baby who slept for a total of ten minutes last night.

Original poster
mrsb26 · 08/12/2015 20:27

*This is going to kick off. Be warned.

YABU btw.*

It's a debate for people to share their opinions! I'm not saying my opinions or the article are right! Hmm

Thanks for the useful input, though

OP posts:
elQuintoConyo · 08/12/2015 20:27

Pile of wank. Sorry.

BF 5 of mibe, FF one. All different. You know, what with being individuals and everything.

This is going to kick off into a BF/FF debate, as always.

BrandNewAndImproved · 08/12/2015 20:30

I agree op. I ff both my dc and they would both reliably sleep 6 till 6 waking for a 10pm bottle and then straight back to sleep from 6 weeks old. (one was 4!)

Oh and they were both chubby and had plenty of attention in the daytime. The only downside with ff is colick.

leaningtoweroflego · 08/12/2015 20:30

My BF baby was very content, a really easy baby. (Toddler years a different story but we'll skate over that!)

I didn't put it down to BFing though, just his nature IMO!

The idea that FF = sleep is marketing twaddle encouraged by FF companies IMO

laundryeverywhere · 08/12/2015 20:30

Hey op if you are a genuine poster get this moved to parenting or something. You don't want a huge debate on the merits of breastfeeding, it's working out what is best for you and your family. Or how to make breastfeeding easier on you, if that's what you need help with.

Fresh01 · 08/12/2015 20:30

Are you feeding her every time she is fussing? Babies grizzle for many many reasons (wind, wet nappy, hot/cold, bored etc etc). Just because you are breast feeding doesn't mean you top her up every time she grizzles.

Also if she is continuously snacking on breast milk she will never take a big long feed with lots of hind milk to get that full feeling.

It seems unusual you can't do a 30min walk without her wanting fed at 4 months old.

I had 4 babies in 6 years and fed each for 11months so can't compared with FF. Each BF regularly but at 4 months would have been going a few hours between feeds and none were on solids at that age.

Babies personalities do factor in their behaviour from a young age.

After a decent feed why don't you try distraction when she grizzles for say 1.5-2 hours before offering the boob again. To try and get her to go a bit longer between sucks. Would she take a dummy, is it comfort feeding? Would she take comfort from being held in a sling and going for a walk outside rather than a top up, for example?

Rinceoir · 08/12/2015 20:31

I think it's probably baby dependent. My DD was an incredibly easy baby- she almost never cried, and could always be soothed immediately by boob. She fed every 2 hours in the day, with cluster feed in evening until about 8 weeks. She did 4-5 hour stretches at night from day 1, and 8 hours by 8 weeks, in her cot. She was happy to be put down in the day early on, although she was generally wary of strangers from early on. She had short naps in the day but as she slept so well at night that wasn't really a problem. She never had a drop of formula. She cries far more as a stroppy toddler than she ever did as a newborn. I'm terrified of having another- I'm sure I'll have a non-sleeping, colicky baby next time round.

BalaRua · 08/12/2015 20:31

My 6 month old ds is the most placid baby I've ever known. Yabu.

BalaRua · 08/12/2015 20:31

That should say 6 month old bf ds.

cathpip · 08/12/2015 20:32

I have 4dc, 2 were breastfed and 2 were formula fed, all were content happy settled babies. No difference at all!

Speederman · 08/12/2015 20:33

Yabu

DS1 bf on demand every 45 minutes for weeks and was an awful sleeper- reflux. But cheerful if you weren't trying to get him to sleep.

DS2 bf on demand every 3-4 hours and slept like a log for the first few months an incredibly easy going happy baby.

Both adored bf and I think it had no influence on how settled they were.

BrianCoxReborn · 08/12/2015 20:34

BF DD to 13 months and DS to 22 months.

Neither slept through the night til.they were 2/3 years old.

Both were incredibly content babies and very easy to look after.

Had I been making formula and faffing with bottles I'd have been in pieces (not very organised) and probably stressed out of my head.

So, erm, not sure. YANBU to think it may lead to a more content baby. Just remember that it is pot luck, do what you find less stressful and you can't go far wrong.