Thinking of switching formulas due to constipation.

[Jolinar]

Hi Ladies,

My LO is currently on SMA Gold but he's increasingly becoming more and more constipated on it (since I stopped BF). I was thinking of switching him to cow and gate, mainly as this is the other formula that the local co-op stocks so its easy if we run out.

Has anyone else made the switch, if so how did you go about it? I was thinking of making half and half bottles and gradually tapering off the SMA to minimise tummy upsets. Any further thoughts?

Thanks in advance

 

[blahblahblah]

I switched brands, and I gave alternate bottles for a couple of days. Whether you switch quickly or slowly your LO's poo will show the change - usually it goes a bit green and stinky for a few days.

TBH with constipation as the problem I wouldn't take too long to do the switch, if it loosens things up a bit that's probably a good thing at the moment!

 

[Shinning_Star]

I spoke to my hv abt switching and she said gradually or all at once makes no difference.

Cow and gate does have fibre in, however you can for one or two feeds a day put in one less scoop of formula and this helps consipation. NOT obviously to be done for every feed, just one or two a day every now and again and it helps! I've done this with all three of mine, and even been told by mw and hv it's ok, as long as one scop less no more!

So for clarification for 4 oz nbottle you can put in 3 scoops, and it's equal to giving them an oz of boiled water to help constipation BUT obvs gentler on their tummies! And tasts nicer for them!

Just to check am sure your know but also make sure your putting in the water first and adding the formula and nt vice versa.

Good Luck!

 

[mandylou]

max got super constipated on sma gold he was so uncomfortable and used to turn bright red straining to poo, i switched to cow and gate comfort and he's a lot better now i switched over night and it didnt bother him at all

 

[Jolinar]

Thanks Ladies, that was really useful. I'll be switching him over tomorrow lets hope it works my poor little guy is suffering!

 

[Mynx]

Aptamil is well known for not causing constipation.
When I had my first daughter, I used SMA and she was always constipated. I was determined for it not to happen with Evie and so did some research and found that Aptamil was apparently the best one for digesting. She's been on Aptamil since I stopped breastfeeding her at 2 weeks and her poos are very much like that of a breastfed baby. She didnt always go every day (every other day) but they always had the consitancy of chicken korma or peanut butter (TMI sorry!)
Now she's on 3 meals a day and still hasnt got constipated yet

 

[Jolinar]

Aptamil is well known for not causing constipation.
When I had my first daughter, I used SMA and she was always constipated. I was determined for it not to happen with Evie and so did some research and found that Aptamil was apparently the best one for digesting. She's been on Aptamil since I stopped breastfeeding her at 2 weeks and her poos are very much like that of a breastfed baby. She didnt always go every day (every other day) but they always had the consitancy of chicken korma or peanut butter (TMI sorry!)
Now she's on 3 meals a day and still hasnt got constipated yet

Interesting thanks We ended if with SMA in an emergency ( I had no BM) so didn't really look into it!

 

[WW1]

We switched from SMA to aptimil as Rebecca was constipated (it became apparent once I stopped combined feeding at 1 month).

We just made the switch aptimil in one go and it didn't seem to affect her negatively. In fact, it made a positive difference to her poos almost immediately!

 

[Jolinar]

We switched from SMA to aptimil as Rebecca was constipated (it became apparent once I stopped combined feeding at 1 month).

We just made the switch aptimil in one go and it didn't seem to affect her negatively. In fact, it made a positive difference to her poos almost immediately!

Thanks, yeah it wasnt really an issue before as Nicholas was being combination fed, when I gave up BF him a couple of weeks ago it all started, poor little thing.

 

[Lara310809]

Aptamil is well known for not causing constipation.
When I had my first daughter, I used SMA and she was always constipated. I was determined for it not to happen with Evie and so did some research and found that Aptamil was apparently the best one for digesting

Just want to add that Chloe is on Aptamil and is suffering from terrible constipation

 

[Mynx]

Aptamil is well known for not causing constipation.
When I had my first daughter, I used SMA and she was always constipated. I was determined for it not to happen with Evie and so did some research and found that Aptamil was apparently the best one for digesting

Just want to add that Chloe is on Aptamil and is suffering from terrible constipation

Just goes to show that every baby is different! I'd read nothing but good stuff about Aptamil and the lack of constipation but I guess not every baby will be like that eh!

On a side note, Aptamil do a comfort milk for babies with colic and constipation too

 

[Jolinar]

Well we tried the C&G which slightly improved matters but he was still whinging with discomfort so this week we're trying aptamil, fingers crossed this will work!

 

[WW1]

Well we tried the C&G which slightly improved matters but he was still whinging with discomfort so this week we're trying aptamil, fingers crossed this will work!

Fingers crossed x

It took a couple of days for the aptimil to work but once it did we notice a huge difference. Hope you will too.

 

[Mrs A]

Jaiden really didnt get on with Aptamil, (we tried all types, hungry and comfort) switched to sma and now soooo much better although is a little constipated, so we give some cooled boiled water daily.

 

[Jolinar]

Well we tried the C&G which slightly improved matters but he was still whinging with discomfort so this week we're trying aptamil, fingers crossed this will work!

Fingers crossed x

It took a couple of days for the aptimil to work but once it did we notice a huge difference. Hope you will too.

Thanks, that's useful to know

Mrs A: it's weird isn't it how one formula bungs them up and another doesn't, SMA was bad news for Nicholas.

 

[Rozie_1985]

I made exactly the same switch that you are thinking about, and haven't looked back!! Joel is doing lots of lovely poos, is hardly sick, winds well and is very content!! I swear its down to changing milk!! I have heard that is babies have a problem with a brand of milk its normally SMA!! I am so pleased to have changed to Cow and Gate! Good luck!! x

 

[555ann555]

I started combination feeding Gabriella with SMA at 5 weeks (she was only gaining 1oz per week (sad1) and it caused terrible constipation, so we switched overnight to Aptimil and within a couple of days she was much better. I do add an extra 1/3oz water to each feed though as I can't convince her to drink boiled water!

I'm still considering if I should change her to the aptimil comfort... Her constipation has resolved, but she still has painful trapped wind in her bowel every day... Trying the Dr Brown bottles and dentenox first.

 

[Jolinar]

Well the aptamil hasn't worked either and he won't take extra water inbetween feeds, little monkey!

I'm going to make a doctors appointment to rule out any underlying problems.

 

[WW1]

Well the aptamil hasn't worked either and he won't take extra water inbetween feeds, little monkey!

I'm going to make a doctors appointment to rule out any underlying problems.

Oh the poor little chap! I hope you manage to get it sorted soon x