Desperately trying to find a formula that works with LO

[HopingFor2v1]

I had the same issues with my DD. She has reflux as well and is on ranitadine.

We tried every type of formula. Enfamil Gentlease made her spit up a lot and made her reflux worse, Similac Advance had the same issues and she wouldn't poop for days, so we figured maybe she had an allergy.

Then we switched to Alimentum (the Similac equivalent of Nutramigen) and she was fine on it, but we had two issues with it. Number one, which is tolerable but worth noting, it is the stinkiest formula and makes her spit up and poop stink worse than any other. But as I said, that is tolerable. The biggest issue was the cost. Here in Canada it is only available in Ready to drink liquid and it was costing me about $8/day.

So, because the Alimentum worked we figured maybe it was a milk allergy so we tried Similac Soy (Isomil). It worked for a while, but same as you, after a few weeks she started having a reaction to it.

So, we tried Similac Sensitive. This gave her horrible diarrhea every single day. We stayed on it for a few weeks, hoping her system would get used to it but nope.

Finally we tried Nestle Good Start (Gerber Good Start in the USA) and it works! She doesn't seem to enjoy it as much as others, as she is slower to drink the bottles, but she doesn't spit up as much, doesn't have diarrhea, doesn't have the rash she was getting with some of the other formulas and now poops regularly. She is still somewhat gassy, but it doesn't seem to bother her as much and she can usually pass the gas on her own. Good Start is supposed to be easier on their tummies because the protein is "partially broken down" so it is supposed to be closer to breast milk. It might be worth a try.

I understand your frustration, it is difficult and every child reacts differently to every formula. I hope you find one that works for your LO!

Ceejie- Thank you SO much for your response! I truly appreciate you telling me about your experience! I'm sorry you are going through this, as I know how frustrating it is. I will ask LOs doctor about Gerber Good Start on Monday when we go in for her 4 month shots. I'm willing to try anything that works

 

[ceejie]

I had the same issues with my DD. She has reflux as well and is on ranitadine.

We tried every type of formula. Enfamil Gentlease made her spit up a lot and made her reflux worse, Similac Advance had the same issues and she wouldn't poop for days, so we figured maybe she had an allergy.

Then we switched to Alimentum (the Similac equivalent of Nutramigen) and she was fine on it, but we had two issues with it. Number one, which is tolerable but worth noting, it is the stinkiest formula and makes her spit up and poop stink worse than any other. But as I said, that is tolerable. The biggest issue was the cost. Here in Canada it is only available in Ready to drink liquid and it was costing me about $8/day.

So, because the Alimentum worked we figured maybe it was a milk allergy so we tried Similac Soy (Isomil). It worked for a while, but same as you, after a few weeks she started having a reaction to it.

So, we tried Similac Sensitive. This gave her horrible diarrhea every single day. We stayed on it for a few weeks, hoping her system would get used to it but nope.

Finally we tried Nestle Good Start (Gerber Good Start in the USA) and it works! She doesn't seem to enjoy it as much as others, as she is slower to drink the bottles, but she doesn't spit up as much, doesn't have diarrhea, doesn't have the rash she was getting with some of the other formulas and now poops regularly. She is still somewhat gassy, but it doesn't seem to bother her as much and she can usually pass the gas on her own. Good Start is supposed to be easier on their tummies because the protein is "partially broken down" so it is supposed to be closer to breast milk. It might be worth a try.

I understand your frustration, it is difficult and every child reacts differently to every formula. I hope you find one that works for your LO!

Ceejie- Thank you SO much for your response! I truly appreciate you telling me about your experience! I'm sorry you are going through this, as I know how frustrating it is. I will ask LOs doctor about Gerber Good Start on Monday when we go in for her 4 month shots. I'm willing to try anything that works

I really hope you get it sorted out, I know how hard it is, especially when you are dealing with reflux on top of everything else! Good luck!

 

[HopingFor2v1]

Well, I met with her doctor yesterday and he gave us samples of Nutramigin to try. I gave her a bit and she wasn't too keen on drinking it, guess it true that it tastes bad! I'm hoping that she will take it for my mom if she mixes it 1/2 and 1/2 with breastmilk!

Thanks Ceejie, I really appreciate it! How's your LO doing now? Have you started weaning her? I've considered starting LO on a little oatmeal when we get back from our trip. I'll try the oatmeal with her last feed before bed. She is still waking up 3-4 times a night to be fed and I don't know if that's because of her reflux or the sleep regression.

 

[ceejie]

Well, I met with her doctor yesterday and he gave us samples of Nutramigin to try. I gave her a bit and she wasn't too keen on drinking it, guess it true that it tastes bad! I'm hoping that she will take it for my mom if she mixes it 1/2 and 1/2 with breastmilk!

Thanks Ceejie, I really appreciate it! How's your LO doing now? Have you started weaning her? I've considered starting LO on a little oatmeal when we get back from our trip. I'll try the oatmeal with her last feed before bed. She is still waking up 3-4 times a night to be fed and I don't know if that's because of her reflux or the sleep regression.

I haven't started weaning yet, but, same as you, I am thinking about putting rice in her last bottle before bed. She still rarely takes more than 3-4oz a feed, and I wonder if it is because of her reflux? She still needs at least two feedings a night.

 

[mrs.erickson]

I am starting combi feeding, so she gets 2 feedings of BM, then a bottle of formula, then repeat. She is on enfamil and is doing great!! The main thing that helped her gas/fussiness was a change in bottles! We tried avent and breastflow, and she was crying out in pain after every feed. Now she is on Dr. Browns and she is a whole new baby!! I swear by them, and have recommended them to friends with Colic issues, and have gotten great response!

 

[HopingFor2v1]

I am starting combi feeding, so she gets 2 feedings of BM, then a bottle of formula, then repeat. She is on enfamil and is doing great!! The main thing that helped her gas/fussiness was a change in bottles! We tried avent and breastflow, and she was crying out in pain after every feed. Now she is on Dr. Browns and she is a whole new baby!! I swear by them, and have recommended them to friends with Colic issues, and have gotten great response!

We LOVE Dr. Browns bottles! We've seen great improvement switching to them as well

 

[flashy09]

I would do Gerber Good Start over Gentlease. Both are partially broken down milk proteins, but Gerber only has Whey and Gentlease has Whey and Casein.

 

[lilbecksxx]

We just started our son with Dr Browns bottles - really seen a change!! He used to fuss constantly - now we actually get happy periods throughout the day!