Thanks to Heather at Hathor the Cowgoddess for this one:
Cow and Gate formula company just introduced a formula called Cow and Gate Good Night Follow-on Milk. For those of us in the U.S. who aren't familiar with the term, consider yourself lucky. "Follow-on milks" are formulas marketed to families for use from six months. They also allow formula companies in the U.K. to get around restrictions on advertising of formula. So far they haven't caught on here, in spite of some marketing efforts.
First problem with this idea: there's no evidence that babies whose feedings are "thickened" before bedtime sleep any better.
But let's just say for a moment that this new formula does work and babies sleep longer.
Is that a good thing? There is evidence that babies' natural tendency to wake during the night is protective against SIDS. La Leche League says, "Breastfed babies sleep less soundly than artificially fed infants and are more likely to sleep with their mothers; thus, they may be more easily aroused when they experience a stop-breathing episode."
Whether you're a breastfeeding or formula feeding mother, I'd treat this new product with a thick dose of skepticism.
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