Hypoallergenic Formula-Any tricks to make it taste better?

[Crayz]

My LO is on Similac Alimentum for severe reflux and it smells like rotten broccoli cheese crackers.

She eats it, but she's not eating as much as she did with the cow milk formula. My LO is a preemie (34 weeks at 3 lbs. 1 oz.) due to severe IUGR and two congenital birth defects which causes her to burn a lot of calories. I really cannot afford for her to lose weight, not even a few ounces as she has already been considered FTT.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how I can make it taste better? Has anyone else ever had this issue with hypoallergenic formula?

I've read a number of things, and one of them was vanilla extract, but that has alcohol in it, so that's not an option. I've also read that the RTF tastes/smells better, but I have to use powder so I can fortify it to 24 calories.

 

[Crayz]

Anyone?

 

[Saphira]

I wish I could be more of help but we tried two different hypoallergenic formula brands with our daughter and she refused both no matter what we tried. Her pediatrician recommended slowly introducing it by mixing it in with her regular formula, gradually increasing the hypoallergenic amount. She recommended if that doesn't work to add some sweetener in it.
At least your little one's drinking some. Maybe she just needs a few days to get used to it? Good luck.

 

[courtney89]

Try Nutramigen. I tried the similac alimentium and my daughter hated it and couldn't tolerate it. She had a sever milk and soy allergy and also had severe acid reflux. You can add 1tbsp of rice cereal for every 3oz of formula (this was instructed by her pedi and GI specialist). It helps with the taste and helps hold the formula down which reduced the spit up and regurgitation from the acid reflux. Hope this helps.

 

[rory83coyotes]

Well if you want to use the ready to feed go ahead. Just add the extra powder like you would do if you were fortifing breast milk. Example 150ml of ready to feed with a tsp of powder to kick it up to 24 calorie. We had to do this with our first daughter for 6 months as she weight 3lb1oz at birth. breast milk is considered 20 calories like the powdered formula. Just ask your dr if that is ok. My kids personally didn't take to the ready to feed so you may not want to buy a ton of it before you see how your baby likes it/tolerates it. She may just be getting used to it for a couple of days and if it is settling in her stomach better it may be why she is eating less. My daughter would comfort eat, and then spit it up so it seemed as if she was going through a ton of formula while I was at work. Her tummy is now feeling slightly better so it seem that she is eating less.