Baby night sleep and helper

Posted by Nuri (342 days ago)

This may sound paranoid.

My helper prepares baby formula for the evening feeding. The baby has been sleeping through the night since he turned 2 months old. He is 5 months now and sleeps from 9pm to 6 am almost every night. A friend suggested that the helper MAY be adding a bit of alcohol or herbs to make him sleep well as they sometimes do this in the Philippines.

At first I thought that the friend is crazy to suggest something like this. I don't think my maid would do this. However, I started feeling a bit uncomfortable about it. Especially after I’ve noticed that she is always willing to prepare the formula even if I have already started doing it.

I will start preparing night formula myself from now on. Still, have you ever heard of the above-mentioned?

Constructive comments only, please.

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Posted by evildeeds (342 days ago)

Never heard of it myself. But do know that babies of that age can sleep through. My own daughter does and she is 4 months now and we certainly don't add anything to the milk.

Prepare for yourself for a while, this will put your mind at rest and certainly tell you if it's reality or just more idle gossip.

Posted by mrsl (342 days ago)

Lucky you! I have a few friends whose babies started sleeping through the night at about 2 months. I cannot imagine that any of them added anything to the milk. Most of them give Gina Ford credit for their sleep filled nights. Your friend has probably had night owls like my 3. Agree though that if it is bothering you, you should prepare the formula yourself to allow you to relax (seems a waste to have a baby sleeping through while you stay awake worrying).

Posted by Veronica Lodge (342 days ago)

Hi Nuri,

Im from the Philippines and I never heard " adding a bit of alcohol or herbs to make him sleep well as they sometimes do this in the Philippines".

Posted by GreenValleys (342 days ago)

And I'm from the Philippines too, and I know of some people who definitely HAVE put various things in the last bottle to 'encourage' sleep. Maybe not a widespread practice, but it does happen - so there MIGHT be some substance to the friend's comment, although not necessarily any substance to what your helper might or might not be doing. Best you prepare the formula yourself to make sure that baby sleeps right through just the same. Lucky you, because mine is 17 months old and still sleeps right through only a couple of nights per week.

Posted by Starlionblue (342 days ago)

Babies are all different. Our older daughter slept a good 10 solid hours from about 6 weeks. Our younger daughter has managed 11 hours straight since she was 8 weeks.

Some parents are not so lucky of course. ;)

This does not of course guarantee that your helper isn't adding anything, but as others have pointed out plenty of babies sleep through the night.

Posted by kittycat2 (335 days ago)

Mmmm, I think it's probably best for you to prepare all your baby's bottles, just in case.

Posted by scottsue (320 days ago)

I think you have a great baby and a great helper. Enough said.

Posted by Katetam (319 days ago)

I agree with scottsue. Rather than thinking the "worse" of your helper, and that your baby is strange for sleeping well... be grateful you have a "good" baby, and a wonderful helper!