10 Tips for Formula-Feeding Parents: Surviving Night Feedings with Baby

If you are currently expecting a child, you are probably dreading the idea of getting up several times in the middle of the night to feed your baby. If you have a newborn in your house already, you are undoubtedly wishing for a better night of sleep. The tips in this article will help shorten the amount of time you are awake, and make night feedings easier for both you and baby.

1. Consider sharing your room or your bed with baby.

Keeping baby close to you at night will ensure a better night of sleep for both of you. My babies have all slept in bed with me, but if you are not comfortable sharing your bed with your infant, you can still share a room. Place baby in a bassinet or co-sleeper next to your bed, or rearrange your room to make space for baby's crib. If baby is in the same room with you, night feedings will go much faster, and baby will not become fully awake waiting for you to come into her room to feed her. Plus, sharing sleep time can strengthen the bond between you.

2. Feed baby right before you go to bed.

If you cannot go to sleep at the same time as baby because of obligations to your other children, spouse, or to your house, you should wake baby and feed her before you lay down for the night. It makes no sense to go to sleep only to have baby wake an hour later for a bottle. Many parents think it is crazy to wake a sleeping baby up, but after a couple of weeks of doing this, baby will wake on her own around your bedtime to eat - giving you a longer stretch of sleep before the next feeding.

3. Leave some light on.

Leaving on a bathroom or hall light will illuminate the room enough for you to tend to baby without having to turn on the bedroom overhead light. A change in light could be disruptive to you both, so try to keep the lighting level consistent in the bedroom all night long. Do be certain to keep the room darker at night than during the day, however, or baby may become confused about whether it is time to sleep or play.

4. Keep supplies close by.

Make a list of everything you need, and keep those items within arms reach so you need not go wandering around the house in the middle of the night searching for them. You can buy an organizer specifically made for diapers and such, or you can spend considerably less money and purchase a caddy designed for use in the bathroom or for cleaning supplies. Keep it stocked with diapers, wipes, a change of clothes, ointment, and anything else you might need by checking it every morning.

5. Use powdered formula if at all possible.

Not only is powdered formula cheaper than pre-made formula, it is much more convenient both at home and when you are out. Buy a plastic formula dispenser, fill it with the amount needed for each bottle, and you need not worry anymore about going into the kitchen to prepare and heat bottles in the middle of the night. Keep bottles already filled with the correct amount of water right next to your bed at night. Then, just dump in the formula, shake the bottle, and you are ready to feed the baby.

6. Consider using a wipes warmer.

Many moms find wipes warmers unnecessary, but one place they come in handy is for middle of the night changes, especially in cold weather. Baby is much less likely to fully wake up or become upset if she does not have freezing cold wipes touching her skin. Keep the warmer stocked full of wipes and right next to your bed along with your other supplies.

7. Choose baby's pajamas carefully.

Make certain baby's pajamas are easy to open and close for changes, and easy to remove if they become wet or soiled. Nightgowns are great for this purpose, but provide no protection for cold feet. Try a few different styles and see what works best for you and baby.

8. Change first, then feed.

If baby needs changing in the middle of the night, take care of the diaper before you feed baby. Changing baby's diaper is likely to fully wake her up, so that is better done before her tummy is full and she is ready to go back to sleep for the night. If baby becomes too upset waiting for her bottle, however, this approach might not work for you.

9. Do not forget supplies for mom.

If you need a snack or drink after waking up in the middle of the night with baby, keep some crackers and a bottle of water with the rest of the supplies for baby. An extra shirt might also be a good idea in the event that yours becomes covered with spit up or urine.

10. Do not talk to or play with baby.

Those activities are better left for during the day. If baby thinks it is playtime, she will never go back to sleep - which means that you will never go back to sleep either. Keep communication quiet and to a minimum. Snuggling with baby will provide you both with the interaction you need, without you or baby becoming wide awake.