Do formula-fed babies sleep longer?

Deciding to exclusively formula feed is a big decision for many new parents. There are plenty of thoughts about the differences between formula- and breast milk-fed infants, like the age-old theory that formula-fed babies will sleep longer than breast milk-fed babies.

Let’s explore the differences between infant formula and breast milk, why a baby might wake up at night, and research surrounding whether formula-fed babies really do sleep longer.

Differences and similarities between breast milk and baby formula

By understanding the key differences and similarities between breast milk and baby formula, we can start to determine which factors affect your baby’s sleep habits—and your sleep habits as a parent!

Similarities between breast milk and formula

Formulas are designed to be as similar as possible to breast milk, so there are quite a few similarities between the two milk supply sources.¹ 

Breast milk and formula are both nutritious

The purpose of both infant feeding methods is ultimately the same: a hungry baby needs to eat. Your baby needs nutrients and energy, and both infant formula and breast milk are wonderful options for infant nutrition. 

Although the nutrients and elements of breast milk and formula are not 100% the same, formula is undoubtedly nutritious for growing babies.

Your baby will always wake at night regardless of what they eat

Regardless of which feeding source you choose, newborn babies will wake up at night.² 

It’s common for infants to wake every 2 to 3 hours for nighttime feeding, and neither formula feeding nor breastfeeding will guarantee that your baby sleeps through the night. 

Differences between breast milk and formula

Formulas are made to be as close as possible to breastmilk. Still, as we mentioned above, formulas can’t be exactly the same as breast milk (yet!). 

How breast milk and formula are made

As you know, breast milk is all-natural and produced by moms during and after pregnancy. 

Formula that is sold in the US is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA sets minimum requirements for the amount of certain nutrients in commercial infant formula.³

Thickness and consistency of breast milk and formula

Breast milk is generally thinner than formula. Breast milk can also be different colors, often depending on the types of food in a mom’s diet.⁴

Breast milk nutrients

Breast milk can provide certain substances that infant formula cannot, including antibodies, hormones, and white blood cells.⁵

Are there other reasons a baby may wake during the night?

Babies may wake for more reasons than just hunger, too. 

Because it seems like all babies do is eat and sleep, many people think every time a baby cries or wakes it’s because they’re hungry—and that’s simply not true.

Your baby may be awake but not want to feed, and just because they accepted food doesn’t mean they were hungry. It’s hard to tell whether formula-fed or breastfed babies sleep longer because we can never truly know why the baby woke up.

Hunger, sleep cycle transitions, teething, sleeping habits, and development all play a role in your child’s ability to sleep through the night.

Hungry babies

Of course, there are a lot of times where your baby may wake because they’re hungry. However, if your baby has had enough to eat during the day, it might be a sign that hunger is not the cause of their sleepless night. As babies start to get older, waking because they are hungry will become less common.⁶ 

Transition in baby’s sleep cycle

Like adults, babies may wake several times between sleep cycles throughout the night. This occurs when there is a shift from rapid eye movement (REM) sleep to other stages. It may be more difficult for babies to go back to sleep during these transitions, and some babies cry out because they’re frustrated or cranky.⁷

Baby teething

As your baby approaches the 6-month mark and starts eating solid foods, they will also begin teething. Teething can be uncomfortable and painful, and it often interrupts a baby’s sleep. 

Sleeping habits for babies

No two babies are alike. Some babies are simply better sleepers than others. Thankfully, it is possible to sleep train for good sleeping habits and routines, even in young babies.⁷

Baby’s development

As your baby develops, you may notice that their sleep patterns change. Some babies wake at night simply because they want to explore or because their brains are actively developing new skills.⁷

What does the research say about why babies wake at night?

As much as we would like to have an answer to why babies wake at night (is it the breast milk? the formula?), no link has been found between one type of feeding and more or longer sleep at night.^8,9

One study found that parents of exclusively breastfed infants up to 3 months of age slept an average of 40-45 minutes more than those who infants were given formula. The parents of formula-fed infants also reported more sleep disturbances than parents of breastfed infants.⁹

Another study that looked at 6-12 month old infants found no difference between night waking and night feeding for mothers who were breastfeeding compared to those who were formula feeding their infants. Interestingly, this study also found that infants who received more milk or solid foods during the day were less likely to eat at night, but not less likely to wake up at night.⁸ 

So, do formula-fed infants really sleep longer?

Because there are so many things that influence how long a baby sleeps, it can be hard to tell if what they eat is affecting their sleep or not. However, research has not found a link between formula feeding and longer sleep at night.

Essentially, how long your baby sleeps depends on many factors.

To summarize the truth about formula fed babies:

So, do formula-fed babies sleep longer? In the end, how long a baby sleeps is probably less related to what they eat and more related to lots of other factors. Each child is unique, and there’s no one-size-fits-all method to help your baby sleep through the night.  

At the end of the day, all you can do is tough it out and be patient. Your baby will eventually start sleeping through the night, regardless of breastfeeding or formula feeding. For now, do your best to manage the temporary exhaustion associated with the joys of having a newborn, and look forward to the day that your little one waits ’til sunrise to summon you for breakfast.

Verified by: Morgan Leafe, MD, MHA

Sources: 

1- Infant formula | American Family Physician

2- Infant sleep | Stanford Children’s Hospital

3- Questions & answers for consumers concerning infant formula | Food and Drug Administration

4- Color of milk | La Leche League

5- Human milk composition: nutrients and bioactive factors | Pediatric Clinics of North America

6- How often and how much should your baby eat? | American Academy of Pediatrics

7- Why do babies wake up at night? | Seattle Children’s

8- Infant sleep and night feeding patterns during later infancy: association with breastfeeding frequency, daytime complementary food intake, and infant weight | Breastfeeding Medicine

9- Breast-feeding increases sleep duration of new parents | The Journal of Perinatal and Neonatal Nursing