Anyone had problems with SMA Gold Formula?

Question

Just wondering if anyone has had any problems with babies on SMA gold (1st milk, not follow-up). Our 3 week old is very very gassy and colicy, much more than what is 'normal' and he wakes up every 45-60 minutes with more gas pains. Several people (incl 2 midwives I've seen) have told me that often SMA-fed babies do have trouble with gas. My health visitor said that it is because SMA has a very slightly higher protein content and some babies struggle to break it down.

Anyone out there have an experiences of switching from SMA to another formula and seen a change or improvement? I am debating switching to Aptamil to see if it will make any difference to him.

As for switching formula, I have been told everything from "just go ahead and do it, it is completely okay" to "never change formula as it can make your baby sick" - and those opinions are from two different midwives, so I'm stuck with who to believe. Again, any experiences ppl have had with changing from one brand to another? I'd like to try a brand switch before moving to soy or lactose free.

Answer 1

if something doesn't agree with your tummy/gives you gas/gives you tummy pains you would avoid eating it, wouldn't you? Do the same for your baby, surely itcan only get betta!

good luck!!!

Answer 2

yeh my son got really constipatied with it, try aptamil its brilliant!!!

Answer 3

we use SMA Gold and have had no problems with it....but I would suggest changing it for yourselves....the fact that 2 different midwives are telling you different things tells me that one is going by the book and the other is going by her head....I say change your formula....to say that chaning the formula will make your baby sick...that's nonsense...your baby is currently in pain with the formula he is on - so change it....I've known loads of people who have changed formulas for whatever reasons....best of luck!

Answer 4

My Daughter was on SMA at birth and within 2 weeks we noticed that she was the grumpiest little person. She would cry, clench her fists, arch her back and generally not sleep very well. She was also always angry at the bottle. To be fair, that was only the start of our problems as it transpires that she has chronic colitis and a cows milk protein allergy but prior to starting off down the medical path we switched her to Aptamil (the blue one) and it was an absolute God send. Honestly, it was almost like we had a different child the next morning. She "fell in love" with her bottle and would guzzle down whatever I would give her. When I questioned my health visitor on the reasons, she said that the SMA was generally heavier with a higher fat content and if you pour it down the sink and compare it to Aptamil, it really is a lot more greasy.

As for switching - whatever you do, do not mix half and half to get your baby used to Aptamil. If your baby is as upset with SMA as our Daughter was, they'll just be grateful that they can now have something nice to eat and drink. Our Daughter is 12 weeks and is now on her 6th milk (the last 3 being prescribed) and although I wouldn't recommend switching an awful lot, if it's for the right reasons then it is perfectly fine and safe to switch formulas and I am almost certain that your Doctor and health visitor would agree with that.

Also, try Colief - it's another miracle cure for a gassy/colicky baby. It's £10 a pop which lasted us about 10 days but if you find it works (it does in their bottle) then you can get it on prescription if you have a half decent Doctor.

Oh and a cranial osteopath if all else fails - colic is a nightmare but it doesn't have to be.

Best or luck