DH wants me to give DD formula at night :((

[Junglemum]

The only thing it will change is how you feel. I know it will make you feel terrible. Sure you're tired and things are tough, but adding guilt to that is not going to help. You are doing an amazing job love. The first years of a babies life i have found tough, but as you know it doesn't last forever. Soon M will be sleeping like a champ and you will hardly be able to remember this time.

M is getting all she needs from your amazing BM. Sure giving her formula may make her sleep a little longer, but only because it is more difficult to digest and will set in her stomach for longer. But i'm not sure sure that is a good thing.....

On the other hand, if you WANT to give her formula and feel it is the right thing for your family, then do it. Just be happy about whatever decision you make.

[Nelle]

I think do what you want Olive. xo
She is breastfed even if you did decide to formula feed so it's not like she's not receiving the benefits of breastfeeding. If she was exclusively breastfed and 4 months old, that's one thing, but she's on solids and breastfed through the day.

I am pretty passionate about breastfeeding, but I am also passionate about sleep, especially if the deprivation is starting to be overwhelming. I think this is also about what you need - DD2 can sleep during the day if she is unsettled at night, but you can't. xo

[aussienic]

Have you tried a small snack later in the evening? Say about half hour before her last BF

[{sarah}]

Olive, Alexzander was formula fed from a few days after birth & let me tell you it didn't help him sleep at all.

[Michelle71]

DS was BF and FF supplemented due to supply issues and continued to have FF at night when I went back to work. It made absolutely no difference to his (lack of) sleeping unfortunately.

DD is fully BF and she is also a shocker. I think I just breed bad sleepers

[Shanti]

Nope, it won't make a difference If it makes you feel any better, as you have probably read my threads, we've been going thru the same thing... frequent night wakings, and still feeding sometimes 2-3 times a night here and DD turns 1 next week!
However in saying that, the last week she has been MUCH better! not sure whether it's to do with the Osteopath we took her to see and/or the Brauers Sleep Relief spray we bought and give to her before night.

i know it's hard. I know how tiring it is.... we will all get there in the end.

You're doing a great job BF'ing and your little girl doesn't need any FF.
BTW, we have tried that, and it didn't work....(AND it made me feel like cr@p but i was desperate that night ) and we have tried filling her up more for her evening meals, pasta etc but nope that doesn't work either

She'll sleep through when she's developmentally ready to.

[~*Niadalla*~]

I too doubt it will help. DS was breastfeeding up to 5 times a night at 11 months of age. I never thought I would sleep again!
We ended up putting him in his own room just before 12 months and substitued a few of the overnight feeds with water and within weeks he was sleeping 12-14 hours with no feeds. I have absolutely no idea why he decided then and there to stop the overnight feeds.

Solids and formula helped neither of my kids to sleep longer. DD is formula fed and a hoover when it comes to all things food and she still wakes at night for feeds.

[AliBaby]

I think do what you want Olive. xo
She is breastfed even if you did decide to formula feed so it's not like she's not receiving the benefits of breastfeeding. If she was exclusively breastfed and 4 months old, that's one thing, but she's on solids and breastfed through the day.

I am pretty passionate about breastfeeding, but I am also passionate about sleep, especially if the deprivation is starting to be overwhelming. I think this is also about what you need - DD2 can sleep during the day if she is unsettled at night, but you can't. xo

:yeahthat: I have to spread the love to Nelle. Do what you want hun. You know DD best.

I do both, DD's sleep is the same regardless of which she has. It doesnt give her a tummy ache though if she does have formula.

Are you going to try cows milk after she turns one? Seeming she is almost there you could completely skip formula.

Of course its up to you but just thinking its not long until she is over one so no point starting formula if she wont be on it for long IYKWIM.

Hope sleep improves

Maybe its those pesky teeth??

[Kmn]

Have you tried giving her yoghurt or avocado or some other filling thing for supper? That might be as effective as a bottle and a lot less emotive.

[maz]

V was only BF until 4 weeks and then FF from then on.....she didnt satart sleeping thor\\rough until well after 2
M was BF until 7 1/2months and yes he had a top up of formula at night in the end and he slept 15 hours.

I really dont think it matters if you BF or FF...if your baby wants some TLC though the night their going to let you know. Hasnt DH realised every child is differnet and cause of that their need's are different?

hon. Follow your gutt..its hasnt told you wrong yet

[Olive]

well she slept better last night, im trying to teach her the joys of tummy sleeping! woke after 4 hours then 6 hours, i made the mistake of telling DH this morning that when i fed her at 4.30 her tummy was rumbling , but if shes like me my metabolism is quick so it wont matter what i feed her!

[Jennifer13]

4:30am is pretty close to when my DD was waking up for her first bf at M's age, even though she was a good sleeper, so I wouldn't think that's necessarily uncommon? I tried to cuddle DD until 5am and draw out the first feed until then when she was little (for my sake). This is how we ended up partially co-sleeping!

I know this is a good night for you, if you can replicate whatever you did, maybe that will help? On the other hand, perhaps this is a sign that she's getting better and eventually will do this often.