Rice starch in formula?

[bbrandonsmom]

Not sure if a thread on this already. But I just found out there is rice starch in formula and they promote that baby will sleep longer or through the night. Like 9 hours! I think that seriously undermines breastfeeding. If a mom is on the fence about it, because she knows she'll have to keep getting up at night to nurse, and say she knows someone who feeds this particular fomula and that baby sleeps through the night-yikes!

[tessie]

I don't think they sell that in the UK.

But isn't it supposed to be used for babies with reflux, because it's thicker? I doubt it really does make them sleep longer, although I can see why it would be concerning if people thought it helped. (Older people here often suggest putting baby rice or crushed rusks in formula to help a baby sleep but it's generally frowned upon.)

[PatioGardener]

Not to mention that waking every 2-3 hours is normal for a baby. I'd be worried to put a little one into such a deep sleep that they didn't wake for 9 hours!

[Bokonon]

It's marketed specifically as helping babies sleep - not for reflux. It's called Enfamil Restfull, and they say "It thickens gently in baby's tummy". YUCK!

[monkey-lamb]

I've seen that marketing, and it infuriates me. However, formula in general is pushed on mothers as a way to help babies sleep longer. You know why it helps them sleep longer? Because their little tummies can't digest that stuff so it just lingers there, keeping them full.

[ShwarmaQueen]

I know I seriously contemplated FF a couple of times (though never did) because the thought of DD sleeping longer was lingering in the back of my mind...so so sad that formula companies can prey on moms like that.

[haydn'smommy]

I always find these things sad but amusing. I EP'd for my first but after much badgering from family about formula and "just a little cereal" to get him to sleep better at night, I tried it. Not only did he not sleep better, he slept not at all. It was awful, the gas and crying. Oy. When he did get older and STTN, he would ONLY sleep through if his last feeding was breastmilk. I was quick to tell my family (and those formula reps) to "take that!!!"

[annettemarie]

Just a reminder-- this thread can stay here if we're focusing on how this product might discourage breastfeeding; otherwise, I'll need to move it over to Nutrition.

[Claire and Boys]

Originally Posted by haydn'smommy

I always find these things sad but amusing. I EP'd for my first but after much badgering from family about formula and "just a little cereal" to get him to sleep better at night, I tried it. Not only did he not sleep better, he slept not at all. It was awful, the gas and crying. Oy. When he did get older and STTN, he would ONLY sleep through if his last feeding was breastmilk. I was quick to tell my family (and those formula reps) to "take that!!!"

I had the same experience. SOO many people told me if I gave a bottle of formula for the last feeding he would sleep better. Well no, he woke up an hour later (rather than 2-3 hours as per usual) crying with gas and every hour after that. Never did that again.

[Lil'Momma]

I agree that it undermines breastfeeding and to make it worse, I have gotten multiple coupons from Enfamil for the junk... it just sounds... not right.

[Minarai]

Originally Posted by monkey-lamb

I've seen that marketing, and it infuriates me. However, formula in general is pushed on mothers as a way to help babies sleep longer. You know why it helps them sleep longer? Because their little tummies can't digest that stuff so it just lingers there, keeping them full.

And I wonder what it's like in the morning...
Constipation? Intestinal blockage?

Sheesh, Mead Johnson, THINK BEFORE YOU ADVERTISE!

[Lisoula]

Those poor tired, exhausted new moms with a little one who just won't sleep......that Enfamil Restfull will seem like a dream come true! Shame on you Mead Johnson....

This may be the most infuriating formula-advertising campaign yet!!! And what about the risk of SIDS? Research shows that there is a huge increase in SIDS when infants are in a deep (belly full!) sleep! Hence why babies SHOULD wake every 2 to 3 hours to eat....


Really, Mead Johnson, WTF are you thinking???

[PotreroHill]

Originally Posted by Lisoula

Those poor tired, exhausted new moms with a little one who just won't sleep......that Enfamil Restfull will seem like a dream come true! Shame on you Mead Johnson....

This may be the most infuriating formula-advertising campaign yet!!! And what about the risk of SIDS? Research shows that there is a huge increase in SIDS when infants are in a deep (belly full!) sleep! Hence why babies SHOULD wake every 2 to 3 hours to eat....


Really, Mead Johnson, WTF are you thinking???

Exactly For moms that under the assumption that formula feeding is comparable to breastfeeding, this definitely makes formula seem to be the better choice What tired new mom wouldn't want her baby to sleep longer?

It makes me really angry that formula is being marketed this way

[khaoskat]

Originally Posted by PatioGardener

Not to mention that waking every 2-3 hours is normal for a baby. I'd be worried to put a little one into such a deep sleep that they didn't wake for 9 hours!

My SIL used to overstuff my DS1, when he was 4 weeks old, so he would sleep for 4-5 hours at a time and she could get things done. We were using her for childcare. At 4 weeks of age, she was stuffing 6-8 ounce of BM down in one feeding somewhere between 11-12, and he would sleep till I picked him up around 5.

She would do this, because she was used to her kids sleeping like that from being on formula.

[lilbsmama]

Originally Posted by khaoskat

My SIL used to overstuff my DS1, when he was 4 weeks old, so he would sleep for 4-5 hours at a time and she could get things done. We were using her for childcare. At 4 weeks of age, she was stuffing 6-8 ounce of BM down in one feeding somewhere between 11-12, and he would sleep till I picked him up around 5.

She would do this, because she was used to her kids sleeping like that from being on formula.

she wouldn't be used for childcare anymore.

[coffee.caugh]

Originally Posted by bbrandonsmom

Not sure if a thread on this already. But I just found out there is rice starch in formula and they promote that baby will sleep longer or through the night. Like 9 hours! I think that seriously undermines breastfeeding. If a mom is on the fence about it, because she knows she'll have to keep getting up at night to nurse, and say she knows someone who feeds this particular fomula and that baby sleeps through the night-yikes!

just in to say that this is sort of misleading because not all formulas have rice starch in them.

i am aware of the enfamil brand that promotes more sleep which of course is outrageous. young babies are supposed to wake often like everyone has said.

i have breastfed and formula fed and honestly my baby woke up every 1-3 hours on both. i think all babies are different anyway. a friends baby is EBF and has STTN since 6 months (is now 11 months).. i think it really comes down to the baby sometimes.

[ursaminor]

How does the FDA approve this stuff? Are they aloud to just fill formula with non nutritional junk? My LO was EBF, and honestly I have never even taken the time to read the ingredients in a box of formula - but this is just awful! How do these companies get away with it?

[phreedom]

How sneaky. If anyone complained they could just claim it's meant to help babies with reflux (which yes it certainly can). Reflux is a painful thing for babies that have it and it can certainly keep them up at night. What is wrong with a formula that will help them rest and get a good nights sleep (absolutely nothing) I don't think this formula is a bad thing for babies that REALLY could benefit from it.

BUT I also know too many moms that assume that just because their baby wakes up or is even remotely fussy than they MUST have reflux and they MUST need this formula. I know too many moms that quit breastfeeding because of "normal" reflux and they were led to believe that their babies needed special formula. And I think that the formula companies are banking on this segment of the population.

I realize that there are extreme cases of reflux. I'm not talking about those.

[sapphire_chan]

So the solution to the obesity problem is malnutrition?

How many moms are going to have their ped. suggest supplementing because "the baby isn't sleeping well enough"??

[kriket]

Originally Posted by sapphire_chan

So the solution to the obesity problem is malnutrition?

we're getting them a good start on a life of diet soda and hoho's. Why eat real food when you can stay full longer?

I've seen this too. It makes me hug my baby. Formula is such big money, with all the different kinds and special varieties, it's a wonder anyone breast feeds.

All that science has to be better then something that leaks out of your body right? /sarcasm.