Weaned onto formula to solve sleep problems

[carls]

Even though I had an abundant milk supply, James was only feeding for about 5 minutes, and when he started waking nearly every hour at night, I thought it might be from him not getting enough milk, and at the rate breast milk digests it could have been the problem.

So I stopped breastfeeding altogether and started him on formula. It has pretty much solved the sleeping problems at night and he is a much happier baby, and is sleeping really well during the day. I now dont have to rock and pat him to sleep and sometimes he can self settle without a dummy.

The only issue I now have is that I know in order for him to be a 7am waker he needs to get to bed around 7pm at night. He doesnt sleep at the same times every day, and some days I find that he is ready for bed around 6pm, having had a feed at about 5.

If this happens, is it ok to give him an 'early dreamfeed' at 8pm, to stop him waking early in the night for the feed that he missed?

If there is a 2hr gap - say if he was fed at 4pm and is ready for bed at 6 - should i give him a feed then even though it hasnt been 3hrs - just to top him up?

How do I overcome this problem?

[veve]

hey honey!!

ooooh this post should get some interesting responses... :laughing:

so just in case there is a not so positive response to you changing from bf to formula - I just want to say :smiliedance: yay carls! good on you for looking for a solution to help you and your bubs!

I had a similar issue with Jack... so I combined breastfeeding and formula- played around till we got a balance and he has been a wonderful sleeper... and a happy baby ever since :D

hmm about the sleeping/ feeding problem - I never dreamfed Jack (mainly as he is a very windy little man and I could never burp him after a dream feed ... which I felt just added to the problem,...)

I personally would maybe offer him a top up before bed??? (nothing wrong with a 3 hour gap) if he doesn't want it ... he wont take it! you might have less stress with disturbing his sleep routine that way??

I'd also check the formula tin?? look at how much he SHOULD (according to their recommendations) be having each day- Jack always had more... but at least that is a guideline...

otherwise hon... be grateful :laughing: ... Jack NEVER EVER sleeps till 7am.. that would be the utmost luxury!!! we surface between 6 and 6:30.... so just appreciate the days that he DOES sleep in!!

xxx
Jen

[giggles]

Hi Carls,

I would say have the 5pm feed when it is required and as James is going off to bed (maybe drag out as close to the regular 7pm as possible) give him a little top up feed.

That could work!

Ava doesn't have the same sleep times during the day either, in fact at the moment, Ava is barely sleeping but thats a whole other story :p and we struggle for the bedtime sometimes.

Hoep you find something that works for you both :thumbsup:

[carls]

Well before I do get those responses, I would like to say that I did try everything, all styles of routines and settling in order for him to sleep better but it ended up getting everyone involved really stressed! James used to pull off after 5 minutes and not want any more boob - there was no way he was getting as much or probably even a 1/4 of what he gets from a bottle.

Maybe I should relax on the 7am rise - I think I've been reading too much literature! I do find though if I get him up around the 6am mark he is still really grumpy and unsettled, so I get him up, feed him and within 30mins hes back in bed to sleep another 2 hours! I would like this to not happen and would rather have him sleep properly in the morning until he is happy to get out of bed.

I'll work it out somehow! :thumbsup:

Oh yes, I will also add that I gave him nearly 4 months of breastmilk, so I think thats a pretty good start!

[giggles]

I agree!

And if the 7am works for you guys go with it.....You lucky thing :p Let's just say, I saw a whole new world at 4am this morning and it is beacoming quite the regular thing. If you can point me in the direction of your literature (which is obviously working) I would be more than happy.

[tanni_83]

i dont want to be the cow of the thread i just thought id let you know it is still quite normal for a 4mth old baby to have 5min feeds and feed every hour. :) he might have been what they call a baracuta sucker. there is no way in telling how much a baby can suck from the breast as to a bottle.

in your situation its great you found what is best for you and ur little guy!! good luck in getting ur full nights sleep :thumbsup:

[Rell]

You have done what is best for you and your baby so good for you.:thumbsup:
My DS still had a night bottle fed up until 9mths:( so what we use to do is DH would stay up until 10pm and give him a "dream feed" this way I would sometimes get a full nights sleep.
I think its deffenatly worth a try especially if it meanr more sleep:yelclap:

[ETsMum]

7am wake up - sounds like you've been reading the Gina Ford books :D

It sounds like you have a good plan. Give it a go :fingerscrossed: Esp if he manages to drink it all.

[carls]

I read 'Save our Sleep' - can't remember the author - Tizzie someone? The routines are pretty strict! I dont know how anyone can manage to stick to the times day in day out.

[WeThree]

I would give him a bit of a top up before bed, even though it hasnt been quite 3 hrs, rather than the dreamfeed, i always found with either boob or bottle that it worked out better this way with my bubs. :)