Should I switch to something lactose free?

[CoffeePuffin]

Amelia has struggled with constipation for about 4 weeks now, it's so bad now that her bumhole tears a little and bleeds because her poop is so hard. The doctor won't prescribe anything to help her. I have tried offering cool boiled water, water with apple/orange juice in - but she won't take it (I have tried from a bottle, spoon and syringe).

She also struggles tremendously with wind and it's really hard to get it up for her despite always rubbing/patting her and using various gas drops and gripe water.

She is generally uncomfortable during and after feeding and gets really upset and fussy. I've tried bicycling her legs too.

She was originally on Cow and Gate First Infant Milk, then our cleft nurse said we should try Cow and Gate Comfort to help with her colic and constipation but after weeks of it, it didn't make a difference. I spoke to the doctor again about whether she may be allergic to something in the milk because she also comes up in a rash all over her face whenever she feeds that goes away soon after she's finished. But the doctor dismissed it and said she was fine. I asked if I should try another milk to see if it helps her, and she said I could but that it probably wouldn't make much difference.

I've switched her to Hipp Organic as I heard great things about it, but on day 3 she has started being sick an hour after every feed.. This does not seem normal. Is this reflux? I'm wondering whether she may have had silent reflux before.

I can't help but think she might be intolerant to something. The doctor is pretty uselsss and not much help. Should I try her on something lactose free or keep going with the Hipp?

I really don't know what to do. My baby is not happy.

 

[mommy0629]

I'm in sort of the same boat right now, minus the constipation. We're on the 4th different formula and the second brand. The one she's on now is lower in lactose and has probiotics and she has less gas on it, but still has about 1 feeding a day where she screams and arches her back while eating and is having reflux symptoms (Zantac on works slightly and makes her more gassy).

Other than the Zantac I made these changes on my own because the doctor wasn't much help, if the zantac didn't work she wanted me to go right to a hypoallergenic formula (the awefull stinky terrible tasting kind) and I'm trying to avoid that. I'm thinking our next step is to go to a soy based formula because I think dairy is the issue.

So, you're on day 3 of the HIPP and you're technically supposed to give a week or 2 for then to adjust to a new formula, so maybe she's spitting up just because she has to adjust. The rash is odd though and idk why the dr. would just blow that off I'd maybe give it a few more days so she's on it for a solid week and if she's still not better try a soy based formula. I figure even if it doesn't help, you'll know after 2 weeks at the most and it's not like it's going to hurt.

 

[loves_cookies]

My LO struggled like this for weeks only I was breastfeeding at the time. The first GP I saw was very dismissive, I had to see another GP 4 times before being referred to paediatrics. They diagnosed cows milk protein and soya intolerance and she's now on nitramigen formula on prescription. She's 100 times better and became a different baby overnight. If you aren't happy with what the GP has said get a 2nd opinion and push for a referral if you think you aren't getting anywhere. My LO was prescribed lactulose for consipation originally, but it can make them more uncomfortable with wind if it doesn't work, which in our case it didn't.