Makenna
kenna
Makenna

Breastfed vs Formula

So I'm a FTM, so bare with me. I plan on breastfeeding my baby and in my breastfeeding class the lactation consultant gave us some guidelines on how often and how much baby should eat. She also stressed that if baby keeps sleeping to actually wake them up for their feeding. However I have multiple friends with new babies, less than 3mths, and they're always saying how their babies sleep through the night? Their babies are formula fed. So my question is...do formula fed babies not have to eat as often as breastfed babies?

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My baby is 4 weeks and I was setting an alarm but he literally wake up anywhere from the 2 to third hour... On rare occasions he go longer but by then I have woke him up.. I would say wake him/her up no later then the third hour...

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My 1st is 15 months and still breastfeeding. He slept 5 hours straight thru the night since he was born (even in hospital). He nursed every 1.5-3 hours during the day which was no big deal to me because I'm giving my baby what nature has made perfectly for him. Around 7 months when we started solids he started nursing only every 3-4 hours. I have always and still do feed him on demand. He's been sick once (ear infection) and he's growing great. I love breastfeed and recommend it to everyone

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I was also told to wake my daughter if she doesn't wake up during the night to feed. But I've learned later that that stresses both you and baby. If baby is hungry she will let you know! Wanna keep producing milk but baby isn't hungry? Pump! :)

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As a breastfeeding mom, you want baby to nurse often so you can keep producing milk.

The more you nurse, the more you make. That's why they tell you that.

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I'm not sure why but i have heard that formula does keep a baby full longer. They say baby will sleep 1 hour for every oz they drink. My kids slept through the night only waking maybe 1 to 2 times if that.

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Unless your baby is underweight, you don't need to wake them. Doesn't matter how they are fed. When they need to eat, they wake up.

Breastfed babies do tend to nurse often in the beginning to help establish a supply. But it regulates after a couple months.

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So in other words breastfed babies do need to be woken up through out the night? How frequently?

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No because the formula takes longer to digest so they stay fuller longer.

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I read a great book about sleeping and sleep schedules too! It's called Babywise. It was a quick read. I won't follow it to a tee but I feel much more prepared!

Also--I saw a documentary recently that was talking about how they were seeing a connection between inner ear issues and SIDS. Not sure where I saw it, but I remember seeing it somewhere!

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My baby was formula fed and sleep through the night most nights, however I didn't contribute that to the formula, I just think that was what was best for her. Also there is no data supporting the statement that formula fed babies are more likely to have SIDS. Any dr I have ever gone to has said if the baby is sleeping let the baby sleep.

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There is a wonderful book that I recommend you get. You can get it on eBay for around $5 . It's called secrets of the baby whisperer. By Traci hoagg. It is a god sent miracle. I am having my 5th kid, I wish I had it for my 1st 2 but I got it on my 3rd. It explains very simply breastfeeding, and formula feeding sleeping, schedules, needs I love it! My kids slept through the night after a week with the help of this book. Good luck and congrats. Ps the book is written by a brittish nanny so it is fun reading not supper long.

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Lots of moms just don't wake their babies. I did until she got back to birth weight(first week) then I let her sleep unless it was longer than 5 hrs or (when a little older) I would wake after naps in the day if it was too late because I wanted her to sleep at night. For me it was all about a routine. Not sure about formula feeding as I only breastfed.

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My daughter was formula fed and woke twice in the night to eat until she was 2 months old. Then once in the night from then on.

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Once baby has reached their birthweight and seem to be gaining weight fine, there's no need to wake them for feeds any more. Formula sits in the stomach longer because it's hard for a baby to digest. So the baby "feels full" longer.

Breastfed babies who wake frequently are less likely to die of SIDS so I'd rather have the frequent waking!

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That's why breastfeeding can prevent SIDs because bf wake more often during the night and formula fed babies go into a deeper sleep.

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Breastmilk is more easily digested so it goes through their systems faster meaning they will need it more often.

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I breastfed but I assume formula fed baby needs to eat just as often as breastfed babies. My daughter started sleeping through the night at 3 days old. Her pedi told me she needs to eat every 2-3 hours. So the first 3 months I had to set an alarm through the night to wake her up to nurse.

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