Out of Ideas - When All Formulas Seem Problematic

My cousin makes her own formula from goat milk, olive oil, vitamin drops and Agave nectar(sweetner) and her baby has taken well to it. I can get proportions if you'd like the recipe. I'd try to get back breastfeeding if you can, and get some help from a la leche league or lactation consultant. Even if it means pumping milk and bottle feeding, it's going to cause the least problems and they have lots of tricks to help moms and babies have great results (even if you've already stopped)

For his reflux, you might want to look into him wearing a hazelwood necklace. The wood helps to absorb excess acid when it's against the skin. It's helped my friend's son with bad, painful reflux a lot. She was able to take him off his meds.
They are made to be safe for babies to wear.
The website where you can get them is www.hazelaid.com
Good luck!

Hope you can switch to pumping (relactation if nessassary). Geet with a nutritionist if you move to making your own formula. The instructions for oat milk is nearly the same for -any- grain. You could also try buying pure organic milks. I'm not sure if goats milk was recomended already but it a thought! Poly-vi-sol is a baby vitamin supliment found at most grocery stores that may prove useful.

Pump your breast milk and try giving that to him. You said you were mildly successful at breast feeding, so I would try again. My 2nd child could not tolerate any type of formula (soy or milk based), and augmenting my breast milk while I worked was problematic, so I just pumped more frequently to build up the supply in the freezer and my production levels. If he is lactose intolerant, you'll have to watch your milk intake. But try this if you can. I wish you and your baby peace and wellness.

Hi T.,

You mention a couple of things that make me wonder, so I will start with asking...
You have a child who is 9. Did you breastfeed your 9 year old, or is your newborn the first one you've tried this with? If so, I wonder if you've had enough real support to breastfeed--it can be challenging to get started (alright, downright difficult for some mom/baby pairs) but it is ALWAYS worth the effort. Not just for the incredible nutritional match (did you know YOUR body will make the exact nutritional balance YOUR baby needs as your baby grows?). Also for the comfort to both your son and you--it's just really easy once you get it all figured out, and there is nothing more sweet than that connection for both of you.

You also mentioned you are "plus size" (I am, too) and recovering from a c-section with complications. Is that the reason you found you needed to quit breastfeeding? I know that sometimes with your own recovery it can be challenging to find a good nursing position or to maneuver the baby without pain to you.

Since it has only been a month (I KNOW, the word "only" is relative, but this too shall pass!), really your best bet is to relactate--get your milk going again. Your baby will have no problem digesting, though it might take some work to get the baby to latch on properly. There are all kinds of people who can help with this, La Leche League can either help or find you a lactation consultant who works with post-surgical moms. Even if you think you can't afford it, just think of all you will save on formula!

If there are other reasons you aren't able to breastfeed--and I do realize there are sometimes very good reasons--then I would go with what other moms here are suggesting. Goat's milk has a completely different protein than cow's milk. It is the protein that is too hard for most babies to digest--even if they seem to do well, they are not really getting much from the milk, which is why all the fortification is necessary. Human milk has a much smaller protein that is literally "designed" to match your baby's digestive system. Goat's milk has a protein that is very close. Cow's milk--even non-allergenic or with proteins "broken down"--is huge by comparison and that's probably what your baby is having trouble with. Soy is simply difficult to digest until your baby has developed his own digestive enzymes later on in life.

A dear friend of mine who tried everything and simply could not produce enough milk raised two very healthy babies with goat's milk, a little bit of oat/rice/almond milk (for additional nutrients) made the way Elizabeth suggested below, and blue green algae mixed in for amino acids in a "human-balance".

Either way, I hope you recover quickly from your surgery. I know that can be very difficult with two children. Be sure that, no matter what you do, you consider getting a postpartum doula to come in and help you with cleaning, cooking, and just generally with whatever you might need to help you recover fully without too much stress.

Fiora

Does your pediatrician's office offer free formula samples that you can try?

The La Leche League organization is probably the best non-medical resource if you have someone local you can meet with. Even if you aren't able to breastfeed yourself, sometimes they have breast milk available through "milk banks".

Also, not all soy formulas are the same in what they contain and in how they taste, so be sure to try both liquid and powdered versions of every brand - and both with and without iron (I think we went through more than 10 different kinds before we found one that my daughter would actually drink). If you do find a formula that works but is hard to get, you can talk to your local grocery store manager about special-ordering by the case. We were able to get a better price that way.

Hang in there!

As many other moms mention...I would try to re-lactate...if you dont have problems with depression...there is a medication you can take to help increase your milk supply. Just pump...pump..pump....and give it to him in a bottle...it's really the best thing that you could do for your baby. Another option? find another mom that is breast-feeding and and see if you can get milk from her...some moms produce enough milk for two babies.

I think the final option I would do..if breast-feeding isn't working for you, or whatever is Goats Milk...It's the closest you can come to human milk..without it being human milk. Also it's easy to come by now days.

Consult a lactation consultant at your hospital or the LaLeche legue...and see if they can help. I pumped and bottle fed for a year...even though we had problems breast-feeding. It wasn't easy...but it was best for the health of my baby.

Hello,
You can use oatmeal or almond milk. I raised my second son on the oatmeal and it was great. By this time I learned about all the sugar/corn syrup, etc. in soy formula and again couldn't use milk after sudden need to stop nursing. This was a suggestion from my homeopathy school teacher I never could thank enough for. Never did the almond, her other suggestion, because oatmeal worked so well, was less expensive and easier. You can do organic very reasonably as well. The was I did it: about 1 1/2 cups rolled organic oats in a large pot filled about 2/3 with spring water. It doesn't have to be exact, and you'll learn the ratio and how straining goes quickly. Bring to near boil and simmer about 5 minutes. Let sit and cool, strain off the milk, throw away oats in strainer and put milk in container in fridge for maybe 2 days. When straining, sometimes it gets goey and doesn't want to all come off the oats, so pour more spring water over it to get that to come off.
I added blue green algae capsule contents for nutrient spectrum to be very broad about 1/2 the feedings.
I don't know why this isn't a much more known and used system, it's really perfect.
Good luck...let me know if you have any questions!
E. Brandegee
Classical Homeopath

You have been changing things up way to much with your son. It is not good to switch up formulas so often in such a short time trust me we learned a hard was also. Good Start orange can has worked the best for us. Would not use any other brand. By the sounds of it you will not get a perfect solution you just need to pick which one you are willing to live with. Him throwing up is not necessarily painful for him just an inconvenience for you. As far as painful gas make sure you are burping long enough after each feeding. I have a friend that use to just put mylicon drops in every bottle and it help out a lot. Best of luck we had a very hard struggle with our youngest and eventually found out he has silent acid reflux and then didn't find what worked until 9 mo old when we took him to the chiropractor and now he is great!

Hi Sweetheart,

I to am a plus size mom. And had a C-section on 2-10-08. Had a very hard time breast feeding so had to switch to formula. We tried over 10 different kinds and the Similac Hypo Alligenic is the only one that had worked for us. I believe it is called Alametumn it's in a purple container and they only make it in the small size. Oh and I hate to mention is is $25-$28.00 a can. But it has been our saving grace. I hope this helps.

Good Luck and God Bless

Are you sure that it is lactose? It is really unusual for a baby to be born truelly lactose intolerant (although it definately happens). What is far more common are problems with casien. Casien is the protien in cows milk. Protiens cause for more problems and sugars. Lactose is the sugar in milk. Soy is also a VERY common allergen. Aside from the painful gas and throwing up, does he have any rashes, consitpation, etc?

I really believe that you have to try to stick with something for a while. A lot of what you are describing is colic. That incredibly general term for a whole lot of fussing. Being a new person is hard work, and some of babies have a lot to say about it. Three of my four had pretty extreme colic, but I know it will pass.

Sincerely,
N.

I'm not a doctor but it sounds like your son has reflux. Our daughter was the worst puker many people ever saw (plus had colic). She was on Zantac until she was about 8 1/2 months old (it helps a lot, but expect to still get puked on).

Do you know for sure he's lactose intolerant or are you assuming that because of the gas and vomiting? I had to supplement breast feeding right from the start (a big bummer for me) and we started with Enfamil's Nutramigen:
http://www.enfamil.com/app/iwp/Content4NoBlurb.do?dm=enf&...
It's SERIOUSLY expensive and wouldn't have been able to afford it all the time but the doctor gave us a couple cans. You might want to try it - it's the most similar formula to breast milk.

If there's anyway you can give him breast-milk and then just supplement with something else, I would try that. Also, you didn't mention if you ever saw a lactation specialist. It was the best $150 we ever spent and she helped TREMENDOUSLY! :-)

Also, I'd be worried about giving him soy formula unless he absolutely needs it. Too much soy is hard on males and can produce estrogen like hormones. (I'm a vegetarian and have no problems with soy, but men and boys need to limit their intake.)

One other question that might sound dumb and obvious... When I was a new mom, I had no idea that our set of bottles came with "Stage 1" and "Stage 2" nipples (I thought only the extra ones were stage 2). Well, the couple times she drenched people (and I mean drenched... they had to change ALL of their clothes, including socks and underwear) I figured out that they were feeding her with a Stage 2 nipple. Way too fast for her little tummy. So, just an tip in case you you have sometimes used the nipples for older babies.

Hope you and your little guy is feeling better soon. I know how hard it is when your newborn is having troubles eating. :-)

When our son was born, we had to supplement with formula. He could not tolerate regular formula, it made him very gassy and constipated, so we gave him a special Enfamil (the one that has the partially broken down proteins). The Enfamil brand is very pricey, but now there is a Wal-Mart brand and a Target brand that are both just as good as the Enfamil. They both run about $15 for one of the big cans (lasted about a week or so)....still pricey, but worth NOT having a screaming child in pain.

Have you tried goats milk? It is very easy to digest BUT I don't know if it is sufficient nutrition for a newborn. Ask your doctor to be sure.

have you checked with his doctor? That would be the first place I'd seek info. There might be something else going on.

You didn't mention whether your son tolerated the breast milk without all the issues....? If so, I'd say rent a good breast pump from the hospital and pump breast milk and feed it to him in a bottle. Some babies just don't ever really get the breast feeding or they don't like it or whatever. My son was like that but I pumped till he was one year old and gave it to him in bottles. Also, contact your pediatrician because if your child is having issues, they are there to help you. Maybe there is something else causing the problems and not just the formula...? It's definately worth a visit to make sure he's okay and to see what else you can do for your son.
good luck.

have you talked to your peditarician? He may have some ideas, samples etc for you.

T., try a Goat's Milk Formula. I actually saw a powdered formula at New Seasons or Fred Meyer in the natural section (I can't remember which). My Naturopath recommends a Goat's milk recipe and I'd be glad to get you her name if you are interested. I'm sorry to hear the breastfeeding didn't work out. I hope you are healing well!
T.

Both my granddaughter and my grandson had similar issues after they switched to formula. The doctor tested my granddaughter and found that she was actually allergic to milk and not lactose intolerant. She was and still is allergic to soy. She was on a non-dairy, non soy formula recommended by her pediatrician. I don't remember it's name but I'll look it up. Non-dairy is the operative word here. Lactose free is not the same thing.

My grandson was diagnosed with GERD. He took a prescribed antacid and we kept him sitting up so that his stomach wasn't compressed by slouching. The easiest way to do this was to feed him while he was sitting in his baby carrier car seat. Both babies spit up alot even while breast feeding but they still thrived.

My granddaughter, tho not having the extreme difficulties of throwing up, also preferred sleeping in her infant car seat until she outgrew the seat.

As another mother said, it is very important to try one thing for a week or more before trying something else. The reason to try for several days is to notice if they tolerate it better over time. If they show improvement, even if it seems slight, in a few days keep feeding it to see if improvement continues.

Eating is new to babies. It takes time to adjust to digesting breast milk or formula of any kind. An adult issue that might help to understand this is a situation when one has surgery and their digestive system has been cut back to just liquids after a couple of days, or more, of no food at all. I always have gas and even at times feel nauseous for quite awhile after major surgery.(weeks not days) And a baby has the added possibility of their system not being fully developed.

Did you nurse your first child? Did you have success then? I'm wondering about why you stopped nursing so quickly when you said you had partial success. Partial success is common when one is learning something new. If you quit because of difficulties I'd recommend consulting a lactation specialist who might be able to help you thru those difficulties. My daughter went to a lactation clinic recommended by Providence Hospital, where she delivered, and was then able to continue nursing until several months later when her decision to quit was based on her preference and not on having difficulties. LaLeche League can also provide support and suggestions.

She had difficulties nursing because her nipples didn't become firm enough or something like that. They gave her a nipple shield which made a big difference.

Perhaps you quit because of your own health concerns. Then I understand stopping soon.

As another mother said, spitting up what seems like the whole bottle is not unusual amongst newborns. If you don't want to go back to nursing or pumping and trying a non dairy, non soy forumula doesn't work after a couple of weeks or if your baby is losing weight I highly recommend calling the pediatrician. Actually I think, if I were you, I'd call the doctor now. Are you able to weigh your baby? Losing weight during the first few weeks is dangerous. If
your baby is throwing everything up your baby is losing weight.

The formula that my granddaughter drank is Nutrimegen. It is expensive but worth it for your baby's health. I think that if it's prescribed because baby doesn't tolerate anything else that some insurances will help with the cost. My daughter got it thru the WIC program.

When my son was 2 weeks old, he began to vomit. We would switch formulas all the time...same effect on him, and very bad gas, extremley fussy. Doctor put him on reflux meds. At 5 weeks old we were at OHSU, he had pyloric stenosis. Simple surgery...all perfect after that. I know it sounds scary, but I would deff. take him to the doctors.
good luck

I don't know what the problem was for you that caused you to stop breast feeding... But it is not too late to try again if you think formula is not working. If the issue is the latching on you can pump. Sounds like that may be the best for your son if he's rejecting all formulas. You can also look into a prescription of Zantac for acid reflux if he is really uncomfortable and vomiting up the formula, but I would try again at nursing...

I found this really wierd (but nice) bottle at Babys R Us that is more designed to look and feel like a breast. The entire bottle is soft, there is no "lid". You fill it with the cap on while it is upside-down, and you screw on the bottom befor turning it over to remove the cap. Sorry I can't remember the name.