What do you think about nightime/bedtime formulas (that supposedly make baby sleep longer)?

Question

For an informal project (schoolwork), a Research & Development representative of a company that makes a popular brand of bedtime formula was being interviewed.

He was asked about the concept behind those type of formula.

His answer was that there really is no (additional) nutritional value in bedtime formula, because it was made not with babies in mind, but parents.

Or in short, it was made for parent's best interests, not babies' needs.

The only difference between that and regular formula is that they add more stuff that's difficult to digest by babies' little tummies, so that it stays longer.

A decade ago, he added, some of these additional stuff were not even approved to be used in babies' formula. As time goes on, there's an increasing needs to knock babies out cold for longer, so it became approved.

"It's just like fishing equipment..." he said, "...you don't make fishing rods according to the fishes' needs, do you?"

Now I'm just a mom and I don't know the scientific fact behind this, but I would think twice before stuffing my baby with things that I know will upset his body, only to get an extra hour of sleep.

In fact, I would appreciate if anyone can provide a link about this.

Answer 1

that is absolutely horrible!! Yeah we have all been to the point that we feel we would do anything to keep pur babes asleep, but any sane and good mother would not endanger their baby in order for some sleep.

I don't know hoe that cold even be on the market  or approved my the FDA.

Something that is harder to digest??? wow way to really mess up your baby's body and digestive system for life. I can see the law suits piling up right now.

Answer 2

My son has Cow and Gate bedtime milk... it works for him, he stays satisfied longer, has a better nights sleep and therefore has a better day because he's had the sleep he needs.

Maj

Answer 3

I found this about hipp organic good night milk.

http://www.hipp.co.uk/products/1_Good_Ni...

cow and gate also makes good night milk. apparently it has extra carbs in it.  

Answer 4

I wouldn't use it, but I didn't even know they made that...hmm..

Answer 5

"add more stuff that's difficult to digest by babies' little tummies"

seriously, any mom who give their babies this stuff is just selfish.  and didn't read up - breast milk has natural tranquilizers!!

Answer 6

According to my doctor and a few articles/book I have read on babies and sleep, babies sleep thru the night when they are developmentally ready too.  It has nothing to do with how much food is in their tummy.

  I personally would not be comfortable feeding my son something I knew he would have a difficult time digesting.

Answer 7

Nighttime waking is one of the most common dilemmas for new parents. Here are a few simple tips you may want to try to get a bit more uninterrupted sleep:

1. Keep to a routine. If your baby wakes up late in the morning to help make up for some of his late nights, begin waking him at an earlier time each day to help encourage him to get the sleep he needs at night -- when the rest of the household sleeps.

2. Choose a well-lit area for your baby's naps. This will help encourage shorter naps, which in turn may help your little one sleep better at night.

3. Increase daytime feeds. Feeding your baby more often during the day will allow him to meet his nutritional needs at a time more convenient to you.

4. Feed your baby in a quiet, darkened room occasionally if your baby is easily distracted during the day.

5. If breastfeeding, allow your baby to finish the first breast offered. This will provide him or her with more of your rich hindmilk, which may also help to space out his nighttime feeds.

6. Carry your baby -- with the aid of a sling or other baby carrier. This will help to keep your baby relaxed, especially during the early evening hours, encouraging an easy transition to sleep.

7. Keep the evening calm to avoid overstimulation. If a bath is relaxing for your little one, you can bathe him before bed. If it's too stimulating, bathe him at another time.

8. Feed your baby in a darkened room at night if he or she wakes up hungry. Let him know that night is for sleeping.

9. Avoid nighttime diaper changes if at all possible.

And don't forget to take care of yourself!

Rest while your baby rests. This is especially important when you have a high-need baby.

Take a walk. Sunshine and fresh air are good for both of you. Going out together, with your baby in a sling, baby carrier or stroller can be a great stress reliever.

Answer 8

These formulas simply contain a little extra carbohydrate. So, no, they don't contain extra 'nutrients' as such because formulas are already fortified with vitamins and minerals so it would not be possible for them to contain more 'nutrients'.

Adding a little extra carbohydrate is not acceptable if a baby is under 6 months old, hasn't been weaned, and doesn't understand that food generally has to come from a spoon. Doing so could affect that baby's eating patterns. It used to be regular practice to add cereal to a baby's bottle from as young as birth and this is linked to allergies and digestive problems. But these formulas are only for babies who are over 6 months.

Would you have a problem with it if a parent gave her 8 month old a few spoonfuls of baby rice before bed followed by a bottle of milk? That is essentially what these formulas are doing, except in a more convenient form.

These is absolutely NO reason to think that some rice flakes and starch (which is what these formulas contain) is going to 'upset' the stomach of a baby who is over 6 months old. These foods are not difficult to digest, they simply take longer to digest than milk because they are of a more complex structure.

Obviously a baby doesn't mind if he wakes up and has a feed and goes back to sleep 5 times a night. But this can be extremely draining for a parent. My baby used to wake to be fed 5 times a night and after a while I got so exhuasted that I fainted in the shower while he was in his cot. Luckily I was ok, but indirectly it was in his best needs if I got a little more sleep.

I am a Nutritionist, and I specialise in child nutrition and I have absolutely no problem at all with these types of formula. I happily give them to my own child.