I know I posted about my issue b4 but wanted to know if this is a good idea.

Am going back to work soon so did pupd to stop nursing to sleep, for the 1st week we just had 1 wake up around 4am, now we are on 3 or so with no pattern eg last 3 nights were 1,4,5 ufd at 6, then 12,3,4,5 ufd at 7, then 11,2,4,5 ufd at 6. He has always varied his wakings , sometimes 1, sometimes 3, occasional random sttn (v rare).

so I wanted to ebm and gradually reduce the amount offered at night but my sis reckons hungry baby milk. My oh didn't seem keen on having to participate in night feeds and wants to go for my sister's suggestion.

so willl hungry baby milk help ollie sttn, is it a good idea and would it cause issues with bf, should I do it b4 I am at work and pumping in the day or after

thanks again

hx

I'm not sure, we used to FF and J always wakes endless times at night (not for milk just to play and get up), it might help him go longer between feeds but the majority of older babies who wake will do so regardless whether they are hungry or not.

Anyone else? I just don't want to mess up 9 mths of hard work

Personally I wouldn't because it just fills their tummy with slow digesting heavy milk which I don't like the idea of doing just to make them sleep.
It is highly likely to affect your supply and possible it will upset LO's tummy. And may not even make baby sleep.

What is ufd?

I think ( but not sure) if your lo is unused to formula especially hungry baby it may have the opposite effect and keep him up longer as his poor little tum won't be used to the heaviness of it. X

Is there something else waking him? That sounds really frequent, I am wondering if he is waking for some other reason and then decides he is hungry once he is up? The temperature, growth spurt, gas, wet diaper? How does he sleep during the day, does he nap ok? I know my guy will sleep 6-7 hours if his belly is feeling ok, when it isnt he is up every 2-4 hours. I agree adding formula make matters worse and will probaly lower your supply. But if it something you feel comfortable with then give it a go.

At your baby's age I would say waking is less to do with hunger a more to do with needing you for comfort, which is perfectly natural and normal. If that's the case giving hungry baby milk is unlikely to help and even if comfort isn't the reason then giving formula could upset his tummy.

Lots of people find their baby needs extra night feeds once they go back to work anyway, so even if formula does help, it might be temporary. Can you find another solution to help you get more sleep, such as co sleeping? Or perhaps you could get a lay in at the weekend to catch up on sleep?

thanks ladies, I really was wary so think I'll give it a miss, it's just every time I'm telling my sis how tired I am she just keeps on that this is the way to do it.

lawra - ifd is up for the day

I have worked hard on naps - he has 2 a day of 1-2 hours each and a good bedtime routine. We have done pupd and still working on it as I have to be in his room while he drops off so we are doing gradual removal (or disappearing chair/sleep lady shuffle). I was so chuffed when the 1st week he went down to 1 night waking but it's disintegrated again.

I think my oh snoring might be waking ollie up, he's not in our room but it is loud still all over the house. He has had a cold for the last couple of weeks so maybe his snoring is worse at the mo.....

is there a growth spurt at 9 mths? Are growth spurts at this age like earlier ones in terms of night feedings?

I'm thinking of expressing for night feedings so I can gradually reduce the amount offered at night.

if it wasn't for going back to work I really wouldn't worry and just go with it but it's going to be hard going

hx