Baby Formula Change

Updated on September 01, 2010
L.D. asks from Joliet, IL
7 answers

Hello..i have a 7 month old who is on Nutramigen origionally for reflux and colic. she had constipation, gassiness, crying, not sleeping soundly, very stuffy nose and mucousy. I mentioned a possible milk protein allergy to the doctor because i was on soy as an infant and am still lactose sensitive, he brushed me off and said it was colic. she has been on it for almost 4 months. she is doing WONDERFUL and the doctor said we could try to switch to gentlease. we tried to switch when she was 5 months old and it did not go well. she has horrible constipation and crying fits and the gassiness back again. i am scared to try and switch her because it is so awesome to come home to a smiling happy baby but we are spending close to 500 dollars a month on formula and it is so expensive. anyone have any advise

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L.M.

answers from Chicago on

I had similar issues with my daughter when she was an infant and I complained to the pediatrician over and over with no results or help, the only advice I was given was to just give her the gas drops and it would be fine, just ride it out. It wasn't fine, it was ridiculous, I finally made a decision myself, "for crying out loud, I thought, I am her mother and this is not working and my poor baby is miserable", so I did some research and I changed her to soy and it was the best decision I ever made. Formulas are like prescription meds, it is not one size fits all and every baby isn't going to tolerate them the same. I also bought an offbrand soy formula because the ingredients were the same as the name brand (by law they have to abide by nutrition guidelines to be sold in stores) and saved 50% per month! Use your best motherly judgment as you know what is best for your baby. Do what you need to do.

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E.F.

answers from Chicago on

My 10 month old is still on nutramigen after I tried to switch three times. I gave up. The good news is in a couple of moths your little one will be taking WAY fewer bottles. When they start eating more solids the need for bottles decreases. My baby only wants an average of three bottles a day at this point. Still expensive but not nearly as bad as it was at 7 months!

I would try one more time. For most babies I think 6 months is the point where tummy trubles improve. If it doesn't work this time you may be stuck :(

I hope you have an easy switch to gental ease!!

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K.P.

answers from Chicago on

Our son had the same sort of issues so we also put him on Nutramigen. It was AMAZING!!! Now that he is 5 months we are trying the soy again and he seems to be tolerating it. I am sorry to hear that you daughter isn't tolerating it so well. I would stick with the nutramigen--even though it is expensive. We had a lot of luck getting it on E-bay and on craigslist. In fact I was able to get 17 cans for 200 dollars last time. I would try that. I also stopped by the Peds office a few times and they gave me samples. Hope that helps!

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E.N.

answers from Sacramento on

Have you tried Humphrey's Teething Relief Pellets? They are really good. It is a Natural Remedy. I used it for my son when he was a baby and it worked wonders! I was so amazed. I use to buy it at Walgreen's, but I heard they didn't sell them anymore. You can check the internet they shouldn't cost no more than $5. Good Luck!

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M.V.

answers from Chicago on

My daughter was on Alimentum (Similac equivalent of Nutramigen) from 3 months old until 10 months old. At 10 months old we started weaning her off it, and by 11 months (with Pedi approval) she was on whole milk. I know its expensive but just stick with it! It will be over soon and nothing (we tried the other stuff too. Gentlease etc.) worked even remotely the same as Alimentum. I don't understand why its $500.00-month though. Alimentum cost the same as Nutrimigen, $25 per 16 oz. can, give or take. It should be half the price of $500 per month! Your daughter must drink A LOT of milk. :) Maybe introduce more solid foods. My daughter was on the step 2 solid foods at 7 months and that helped take away some of the cost of formula. Try more solids! And it is not good to switch formula's anyway. It really messes with their system and its hard to get back on track. Good luck, and she will be out of this stage soon!

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R.A.

answers from Chicago on

Switch her gradually and for constipation you can put a teaspoon of karo corn syrup in her bottles it works as an all natural laxative and won't hurt her at all. I used it for both of my children. Also lay her tummy down on a heating pad the heat will release the gas in her tummy and make her feel better.

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J.K.

answers from Chicago on

I could have written this myself!! My daughter began with these same symptoms around 2 months old-and we were told over and over again that it was colic. Well, we finally spoke with a pedi in the practice at 5 months old who had us try Alimentum-WHAT A CHANGE! When we tried to awitch her to milk however, we realized she is truly allergic to milk (all dairy for that matter!) and we have transitioned her to soy milk now and only Alimentum at night...once.
Alimentum is expensive, but $500? She must drink alot of milk...good calcium! ;-)
Good luck!!

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