Formula advice please???

Question

Ok, I know I always ask for a bunch of advice on my sons formula and heres one more. They thought that he had an allergy to milk but now they dont think that since he has severe reflux. So we weaned him off of the alimentum and back onto a milk based gentle formula. He is back to spitting up a lot now, even with his medicine. He started it about 3 days ago and is spitting up a lot again. I dont want to switch him off of it so soon knowing that it takes a good week to find out if his body can take to it but i feel so bad for his spitting up. Is it possible that it is from the milk base? He doesnt have any other symptoms of milk allergy such as diahreah cramping or any of that. How long should I keep him on this formula before putting him back on Soy or Alimentum? Also, he is slightly constipated from having rice in his formula for the relux- how can i help him with that?

Answer 1

I think you should call your doctor and let them know he isn't holding any of the formula down, or at least not much, and that you are worried. I think he may tell you to go ahead and switch him back to it, the usual wait is 1 week, but you are with your baby 24/7. The doctor only sees him for 10 minutes at the most, so you have to be your baby's voice. Good luck!  

Answer 2

There is nothing wrong with soy formula. My daughter has been on it since I weaned her of the breast 5 months ago and she is growing great. For the constipation I would say to give him diluted prune juice like 4 oz and/or prunes baby food. My daughter has a problem with constipation since she is on soy, and any milk based formula(even lactose free) makes the puke her guts out and have diahrrea plus she stops eating when I tried them both. And they haven't diagnoses her with an allergy since they cant test her until she's two. Soy and prunes will be a big part of his diet.

Answer 3

A soy based formula or anything with rice is not good if constipation is an issue.  I would keep your child on the formula for at least a week if not longer,  To have a chance to get used to it. As long as he is not losing weight. I also heard that being on a soy based formula can be even worse if it is not needed.  My Daughter is almost 9 months and she has been using Enfamil's GentleEase (milk based) since 5 weeks old. We had all kinds of issues with the formula.  

Please don't give your baby prunes or prune juice at 2 months old! In a 4 oz bottle of water at 1 table spoon of BROWN Sugar. The darker the better.  Give 2 oz at a time (morning and night.) This is what my doctor said to do. Your baby's intestines isn't developed for the prunes yet.  If the constipation gets too bad (like not going for 3-4 days) use 1/2 of an INFANT suppository.

I know a lot of people may have issues with this ( i.e. choking hazard), it worked for me.  As long as you are around to monitor him you should be fine.

We use the Beechnut Oatmeal or Barley Cereal. Any Single grain cereal would work except for the Rice. Try putting that in the bottle with a "variable" flow nipple. I would use 1/2 -1 teaspoon of that and gradually add more, if needed.

If that doesn't work than ask your pediatrician....  I hope that helps. I know it can be frustrating.

Answer 4

My so also has reflux with no milk allergy. He spit up, sometimes threw up, on Enfamil Lipil and Similac Advance..on Nestle Good Start with Comfort proteins he seems pretty good and not as spitty.  

Answer 5

What does the pediatrician say? Bouncing him back and forth between formulas can't be helping the situation. I know your trying to figure it out but I think you need to have him seen by a good specialist to assess him.

I don't know how old your son is but if he's on solids a bit of pureed prunes should help with constipation.

Answer 6

We too have formula/feeding issues...we just started our son on the Nestle Good Start...there are many types. They say it has "comfort proteins" and that it is easier on the baby's tummy...it's only been a few days for us, so we aren't sure yet.