Formula fed babies...

[keelie_b]

Dylan has a formula top up at night to try and give us all a few hours. He has about 4 oz's this can sometimes last 3 hours, sometimes we're lucky to get 2. I know this is still quite good going but at the minute with him breast feeding every 40 mins im wondering about trying him on something a little heavier.
The formula that we use is just a normal cow and gate from birth box. Its not empty but said to throw it out after 4 weeks so il get rid tonight. i was wondering if its worth trying "hungry baby" formula? would this last him a good 3 hours then? or do you think he wouldnt need this? And would a change upset his stomach?
Oh and if i stick with the normal milk do i move up a stage or anything like that?
Im not too clued up about formula so would appreciate any advice please thanks xx

 

[badgergirl]

From around 15 weeks, I started giving Sprog a night feed of formula like you're doing. I tried normal Cow and Gate and then Hungry Baby, and honestly? Neither really made a difference.

I think hungry baby simply sits in the stomach longer.

Sprog never found the transition between normal and Hungry difficult, tummy-wise.

I think what was happening with Sprog, looking back, was a growth spurt, and I panicked and listened to my HV and other mums at various groups, and jumped on the idea that formula might make him go longer overnight purely because other people's babies slept and mine didn't. I really wish I hadn't now.

Perhaps you could try giving him extra breastfeeds throughout the day, seeing if he'll latch and eat even if he's not actively asking?

 

[Sherlock]

No don't give him hungry baby milk. That's not a good use for it at all. Its not meant for that purpose. When my HV suggested giving my LO a formula top up around the same age she said a big fat no to hungry baby milk and explained why (to do with it being thicker/heavier and therefore less is needed to fill them up but it doesn't make them go any longer between feeds and that for BF babies hungry baby was a non starter and to only use ordinary formula for top ups).

And you stay on stage 1 milk till 6 months.

I think 2-3 hours on formula for his age is good. He is only 5 weeks old.

TBH if he is BF and having one formula top up I think you are doing well with his sleeping as he does when he has the top up formula feed. As he gets older he'll start to be able to go a bit longer at night, but that doesn't usually happen till around 12 weeks. I think your LO sounds like he is doing great and I'd have loved for 3 hours kip in a row when BF'ing in the early weeks Lucky woman you are

 

[keelie_b]

ok thats fair enough

just struggling with the last few nights of no more than 1 hour sleep and thought there might have been a solution.
no probs il just try and get through this growth spurt.
Thanks both xx

 

[Magic Monkey]

Have you tried giving him more normal formula in his bottle, rather than trying hungry baby? We formula fed and at that age Ella just about went 2-3 hours between feeds, so i would agree that it is normal. If he will take more in the bottle though you could try that?