Weird - Brand of formula impacting sleep?

[Mom2katiebug]

I know this is the bottle-feeding forum, but we have a weird phenomen going on at our house.  Katie was the Queen of short naps for the longest time.  I just thought I was going to go bonkers with her!  But, it changed almost overnight when I switched her formula.  (We switched for another reason.)  She literally started napping for 1.5 hours 2 days after we switched her formula.  At the time, I didn't know if it was the formula or if she'd just "turned the corner" on the naps.

So, we go along well with the new formula for about a month and she keeps eating less and less at each feed.  When she got down to 2-3oz. per feed and not eating again for 5 hours (11-16oz per day), we figured there was a problem.  So, we switched back to formula #1 again and she started chugging 5-6oz. bottles again.  But, darn it if those short naps didn't return. 

So, a couple of weeks ago...we experimented (I know, generally a bad thing to do, but she really doesn't have tummy issues when we change the formulas).  Had a can of Formula #3 and we tried it.  Again, the long naps were back  AND she was eating 5-6 oz. bottles, but hungry after 3 hrs and all night long.  DH is not happy with this, but I explain it could be a growth spurt.  We stick with it for 2 weeks and she's still not staying full for longer lengths.  So, back we go to Formula #1 last night and today her naps have been 35-45 minutes again. 

It's too much evidence to suggest anything other than the formula is impacting her naps - but why would it???  Any thoughts on why the brand of formula would impact her naps - but her overnight sleep is the same on all of them (good during the first part of the night; terrible in the early AM hours)?

Weird, huh?

[Kimberly®]

out of curiosity what formulas have you been using? It wouldn't suprise me if it was the formula making her naps shorter, the formula's could be heavier or they could cause gas problems that you can't see.
But I was just curoius about what you used and which had what result

[Mom2katiebug]

Formula #1 - the one we've used the most is Similac Advance with Iron.  (We've also use the Costco brand that mimics this.)  When she's on this formula, she has the short naps and I just noticed that she's taking FOREVER to settle again.  About a week or so ago, DH even commented on how well Katie was doing going to sleep on her own and now we're back to 35-45 minutes to settle and, at most, 45 minute naps.

Formula #2  was Enfamil Lactose-Free.  She started napping better but must not have liked the taste because she would only eat what she absolutely had to.  This is when she would eat 2-3oz. and not eat again for 5 hours.  I got very concerned about her intake.

Formula #3 was Good Starts.  She was putting herself to sleep pretty well (sometimes needed a bit of assistance but, at most, 5 minutes).  She was easily taking 1.5 hr naps about 2/3 of the time but didn't seem to stay satisfied for the 4hrs on our EASY plan.  (As an aside, Good Starts' literature does mention that babies may be hungry sooner than on other formulas).  Also, I think she was pooping easier on GS (had some MAJOR constipation issues earlier) and it doesn't froth up like the other formulas when I shake the bottles, so I didn't need to give her Mylicon in every bottle.  Less medicine (even OTC) is better in my book!  I think we're going back to the Good Starts! 

DD has gas no matter what we feed her (hence the Mylicon in every bottle).  I think the gas was easier to pass with Good Starts, but DH commented that she was more gassy.  So, our opinions vary on that matter, but both DH and I noticed that the Simlac/Costco formula is heavier.  It will sink into the water where the GS will sit on the water until we tap it down.  I am guessing this translates into a "heavier meal" for her too.  Good for staying full, but bad for sleeping - at least in our case. 

[StephC]

I am so glad that someone posted this.  I am having the same problem with my LO.  She was on Similac Advance and not really sleeping great, and taking small bottles. Only 2-3 oz as well. SO I switched to Similac Stage 2 concentrate and she will take a big bottle BUT is sleeping even worse, about 5 hours to start but like you said early morning she is up every 2 hours...SO, today I just tried enflac concentrate.  I have heard that formula can affect a babies sleep so I guess I have to keep trying them until I find one that she will sleep good with and eat lots of.  I know for sure that she will eat more bottle if it is concentrate rather than powder, now I just have to find a way to help her sleep!

Steph

[Leah's Mom]

I don't know if you are using formula with or without the lipids (DHA and ARA). I know that Similac Advance has these. We had major issues with the lipids. No idea why. I know that there is evidence that they are good for baby and what not and I am not trying to start a debate about that.  We switched to Good Start without the DHA/ARA and had great results. Around 10 months we decided to try Good Start 2 (hungrier babies). They only had it with the lipids. So I thought, why not. BAD idea. She had horrible naps and nightwakings. So yes, I think some formulas can cause sleep issues. HTH

[StephC]

Wow- that is really interesting!

Up until now I have been using Formula with Lipids, SO, now I bought some Enflac with Iron, but the kind that doesn't have the DHA and ARA.  Oooh, I really hope this helps!
Next maybe I will have to try the one that is not iron fortified to see if that helps.  She is 5 months today and I haven't had more than a few hours of sleep at a time since she has been born so needless to say I am desparate and will try anything right about now.

Thanks for the info!

Steph

[Mom2katiebug]

I'm all for finding what works - and I was at my wits end with Katie's sleep when we switched formulas and it improved - almost like magic! She's still not a great napper, but will usually cobble together about 3.5 hours of naps each day.  But, if you find the non DHA/ARA formula works, TALK to your pediatrician about any possible drawback to using it. 

Also, we have really hard water so I've been using distilled water (no flouride per the doc).  Don't think it's helped with the naps, but I imagine it's easier on DD's system.

[Brandonsmom]

Brandon was just overall better when we switched his formula. He was on Enfamil Lipil when he was about 3 weeks old and it gave him really bad gas. It was so bad it was affecting his sleep and feedings. So we switched to Lactose Free Enfamil Lipil and it made a world of difference! I definately think formula can have an extreme impact on your lo's naps.