Naughty thoughts

Well, up to about a week ago we had a really nice schedule set-up with Gina that had worked for us for the last month. She would wake up every 4 hours, feed, play and go back to bed. Her wake up times were 2am, 6am, 10am, 2pm, 6pm and 10pm and I had plenty of rest time in between.
Well that all has changed in the last week. She is now waking up every 3 hours or so and is really hungry yet she's only drinking her usual amount and refusing more. And then she wakes up again 3 hours later! Or less! By the way, I'm managing to bottle feed her expressed breastmilk 100% of the time.
At first I thought growth spurt but can growth spurt last this long?
Anyways, I've had a naughty thought. I've tried giving her 'normal' formula but she only lasts the same amount of time. What if I boost it up with an extra scoop? The tin says no and I don't dare ask plunket but I really need more sleep at least at night. Has anyone done this? I thought I could try it at night - is it really that dangerous? What if I put a scoop of formula in breastmilk instead - I know they do that from prem babies to help them grow.
What do you ladies think - am I being too naughty to think this way?

Hi, I know of people who have done it but I personally wouldn't as it's harder on the baby's digestive system. Especially with being a prem.

Hmm I wouldn't recommend it. And I certainly haven't heard of it being done for prems. In hospital we used a special sachet of stuff which was added to breastmilk which has more calories etc to help fatten them up but it wasn't about keeping them full so they would sleep longer, it was so they would put on weight. I would say it is a growth spurt. And actually you have been doing well to get her feeding 4 hourly already!! Ashleigh only dropped from 3 to 4 hourly a couple of months ago (although she does sleep through the night!) Good luck, hope it passes soon so you can get some sleep

I can't see how old she is but I remember being told to expect a few weeks of unsettledness for growth spurts. I would try to increase her day feeds to see if she will go longer at night. I hate to say it but if she wants to wake up theres not a whole lot you can do until she decides she wants to sleep.

I wouldn't give her an extra scoop unless advised by a dr or something.

btw... it does sound like a growth spurt to me as well. Krystiana is just having her 12 week spurt, it's tough going but hang in there because it does come all back to okay! Remember the more milk you are producing, the tireder you'll be, so take care of yourself. I'm not sure why you aren't bfing her directly but if that is an option, you might like to try that for night-time - she's trying to get more fatty milk from you over this time.

You shouldn't add any more than what is recommened as it can make them really ill (just like it says on the tin). Perhaps make her up the next amount rather than adding another scoop to less water, see what she takes. It is only one feed after all.

If you feel you need more rest so that you can look after your baby and you feel that formula will give you that opportunity then do it! Stuff what plunket say! Your milk wont dry up over night so I can't see any harm in it. You need to look after yourself

Yes! Yes! Yes!
She went down at around 8:30pm last night, slept until 1:30am, fed & then slept again until 6:30am this morning, fed and is still asleep! Bliss

Two Blondinis wrote: You shouldn't add any more than what is recommened as it can make them really ill (just like it says on the tin). Perhaps make her up the next amount rather than adding another scoop to less water, see what she takes. It is only one feed after all.

What she said!

i wouldn't reccomend it.

in neonates we do add to breastmilk for the prem babies, BUT it is only if baby is not gaining weight.. however it is not formula but human milk fortifier - very different.

she is little, probably going througha growth spurt and if she is she needs to feed from you to get your supply up. annoying i know, but not as annoying as if you go the other way, and she doesn't increase the supply to meet her needs.. then you'll have a permanent prob instead of one that is passing.

if you add more fomula to less water, or formula to breastmilk, you are in fact making the consistency thicker, not as well disolved and more likely to end up with her being dehydrated and constipated. if she wants to drink, let her drink

really, if you think about it, how many of us go more than 3 hours between having something to eat or drink, babies are supposed to wake and having 3 hrs between feeds is pretty darn good.

Edited by mum2paris