Tired

[Kathyb]

Hello
My bb is 9 1/2 weeks old and is waking on average throughout the night every 2 hours. My mum and some of her friends have suggested thickening his formula. Has anyone tried this and what do you use to thicken it.
Any suggestions are really appreciated.

[Chickadee]

I'd be very cautious with this. I was told that making formula thicker than recommended (ie changing the powder to water ratio) can lead to constipation and possibly dehydration, as bub won't be getting as much liquid as they should be.

I'm not sure if there are safe additives for thickening. Some of the anti-reflux formulas are a bit thicker I think but not sure they'd make bub any fuller or more satisfied.

[Harmony83]

I have seen a thickener you can buy at the chemist which I assume you just add to the made up formula - but before you go adding things to his formula I would speak to you GP or chemist for some advise!!! Goodluck with it and hopefully you will get some well earned rest soon!!

[Nickster]

Hey kathyb,

It's pretty normal for bubs to go through growth spurts when they just want to feed, feed, feed, even if it means they go without sleep (and poor mum too!). Maybe this is what your baby is going through? Sending sleepy dust your way.....

[JanetF]

Hi :) It's normal for babies to wake like this. My son woke every two hours to be fed until he was 10 months old and more often during growth spurts or teething. Some things which help are breastfeeding, so if you can still bf a bit then that will help him and you to settle, also cosleeping or having your bub in your room. Mamas who sleep with their babies get a lot more sleep. Thickened formula is a really bad option, don't go there girlfriend ;) Keep something in your room to heat bottles in, if you can't bf overnight and you'll hear your baby moving before they're crying and be able to soothe them much more quickly. But really, it's perfectly normal for a baby to wake and need to know that you're there, and also need to be fed. There are lots of threads on safe cosleeping, and also explaining how babies really sleep. Most babies don't sleep more than a few hours at a time except occasional rare babies. Your babe will only be this little for such a short time, so get all the sleepy cuddles you can. Nanna naps in the day with bubs are really great too. I had one myself today with my nearly 2 year old. *hugs*

[Kristy7]

hi my name is kristy, i have heard of people thinkening there milk, and a couple of people on the huggies website said it helped there babies sleep a lot better. Aparentely you put rice cereal in it. you know the one you are suppose to start them on at 4 to 6 months.. You just add half a teaspoon or a little less at first to her bottle before bed... hope that helps...... :o

[Chickadee]

9.5 weeks, so... around 2 months old? this is pretty young to be starting rice cereal based on current advice and thinking, although it was more common in my mum's days. What I have heard is that adding rice cereal (or for example, crushed arrowroot) to bottles is one of the ways that formula babies end up overweight. They're getting "hidden" calories & food that they don't need.

It very likely is a growth spurt that will pass in a week or two. & like Janet said, nap during the day when ever you can. If 2 hourly waking continues, talk to your gp or a lactation consultant, or your CHN if you are comfortable with her. There are some formulas that I've been told are a bit heavier and recommended for bubs that don't seem to be filled up on the regular ones. I don't know how accurate this is tho, it was just a comment from a nurse when I mentioned my DD was on SMA, that this was an older "heavier" formula.

[Kamaikia]

I would think twice before putting anything in the formula. And making up bottles with more/less powder is extremely dangerous.

How many mls of formula is bub having every 2 hours?