Formula and Reflux

Updated on December 21, 2007
J.G. asks from Havertown, PA
18 answers

My daughter is 5 weeks old and has reflux. She is currently on Isomil (soy based). I was just curious if there was a better formula out there that everyone uses for their babies with reflux. I am thinking about switching formulas.

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K.L.

answers from Philadelphia on

J.
Both of my son's had reflux and I ended up having to put them on Nutramagin, the most expensive formula out there and then had to add baby cereal to it and that really help them both with keeping it down and not having belly problems. Nutramagin is made by Enfamil and it really did help. GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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N.P.

answers from Philadelphia on

Hi J.,

Both of my boys were reflux babies and bad too. However, both did better on different formulas. My oldest took to Nestle Good Start and my youngest was on Alimentum. They both were on Zantac until after their first b-days when they switched to whole milk. That is when the reflux got much better. My oldest still has problems every once in a while and he is 3. Reflux is much trial and error. Good luck with it.

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J.Y.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I recommend Good Start Supreme, without the DHA and ARA would be even better.

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W.I.

answers from Philadelphia on

Both my boys had reflux. My Dr. (whose daughter also had reflux) recommended Nestle Good Start Supreme. We had no problems with it after we added some rice cereal to make it milk shake consistency. My boys were also on zantac to help ease their symptoms.

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M.B.

answers from Philadelphia on

Hello. My daughter had the same problem. she was on Infamil from the begining. The doctor did not recomend changing formula. She prisctibed "Axcid" liqud medication and I gave my baby 3 times a day 1ml (i think) I was worried about sideeffects, but the doctor reashured me that there will be nothing wrong, b/c the amount i was giving her was so little. My baby started eating great, did not cry, stoped arching her back, slept good...It really helped. She was on Axid for about 6 month or so, maby even more. Now she is 12 month and doing great. The reflex went away when i strted feeding her solid foods. (sorry for my spellig) Good luck and happy holidays!!!!!

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K.J.

answers from Philadelphia on

Hi. I have a 16 month old and we used Enfamil Gentlease and it worked well.

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E.P.

answers from Philadelphia on

Changing formulas alot can be upseting to your baby. Call your pediatrician first. But another one is the lactose free or if all else fails then the nutramagin. If they haven't told you any tricks, well keep your baby propped up after feeding. As in an infant seat or car seat. Don't put her flat on her back. When burping sit her up not against your shoulder.She may be having alot of pain with this so be strong and maybe see a specialtist if it gets worse or she is more cranky. The acids from the stomach can be very damaging to her. So be alert for changes. I am a foster mom who has had many babies with this ailment it is pretty common.

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K.E.

answers from Reading on

After much trial and error and arguments between doctor and WIC, what finally worked for my son was Nutramigen formula and Playtex bottles with drop-in liners.

Good luck,
K.

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S.W.

answers from Harrisburg on

my pediatrician has said that the nestle formulas are NOT as good as the Similac and Enfamil brands - so i personally would stay away from them....

as far as digestion - my neice had a VERY severe case of reflux (so bad that she medically qualified to have surgery to correct the problem before she was six months old) and instead of doing that my sister in law and her pediatrician (which is also my pediatrician) created a diet change that helped sustain her until she grew out of the reflux.

They mixed cereal into her bottle. they also put her on Nutramegen ( i think its made my Enfamil but its that or Similac) its VERY expensive - but its the best for digestive disorders. and yes at 5 weeks old you can give them cereal- my neice was younger than that.

Try it - or at least run it by your pediatrican and/or get a second pediatric opinion. Let us know and God Bless!

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F.V.

answers from Lancaster on

My son was diagnosed as well at 6 weeks. He is now 10 1/2 mo's and was on Enfamil Nutramigen. She will get used to it and I know it is expensive but it really did the trick for him as Isomil did not work for him. Ask you ped to get you as many samples as they can for you! Ours got us a case for free! You can also try Nestle Good Start, My gosh that stuff is so easy on the belly and digestive system. He is on that now and loves it! My recommendation would be Nestle Good Start with comfort protiens. Good luck!
Also, if you read the labels on the formulas regardless of Nestle Good Start or Enfamil, they all have the basic needed ingredients for infants and are also approved by the FDA so no need to worry what brand regardless of who says what. You are the Mom and YOU do what is necessary for your baby! A|Lso, in checking with the pediatrician, you CAN change formulas gradually and it WILL NOT harm your baby. You have to find what works but remember, it takes time and patience. Let us know how it works! I am an avid fan of Nestle GOod Start and my boy is very smart for his age and os doing just fine. In fact, he is off the Zantac...
Again good luck!

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J.P.

answers from Scranton on

my son had reflux and it was diagnosed by doing an upper GI when he was 2 months old. He was put on Axid and it helped tremendously. Also the nestle DHA & ARA formulas seem to help alot. I only kept him on the Axid for about 4 months and then weened him from it with no problems. I hope this helps!

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J.Z.

answers from Philadelphia on

J.
I went through the same thing and after many fussy weeks I switched my son to Enfamil Nutramigen and within the firt 24 hours it made a HUGE difference. Then my dr put him on Prilosec (med for reflux) and he was perfect. He is now 10 months and is still on both doing great! Good luck.
J. Z

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J.B.

answers from Reading on

my daughter also had(has) reflux,we had her on ProSobee,she loved it and we never had a problem with it.She is now 14 and still had minor problems.Why do you want to change formula?Something wrong with the one she is on?I never changed unless there was a problem.

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D.D.

answers from Philadelphia on

Hey jen,
My baby was said to have reflux too. We went to the nutr. office at WIC and they suggested Infamil AR. Now we also had to add alittle baby cereal to help reduce the spit up, but every babys reacts differently so it's worth a try. The AR stands for Added Rice so it is supposed to thicken or expand when it enters babys stomach so the formula has to be mixed with cold water. Hope this helps and happy holidays.
D.

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T.M.

answers from Pittsburgh on

we used alimentum. it worked great. we also thicken with oatmeal cereal. proped up the head of the bed too.

B.K.

answers from Pittsburgh on

You should really talk to your doctor before changing formula's. There are so many different types and prices that you don't want to just go out there and randomly try whatever. Changing formula's may also effect when you start your baby on yogurt and milk as well so get your Dr's input first. You might want to look at your bottles as well. Sometimes it's a problem with how much air the baby is getting. My daughter had a problem when she was a baby and we switched her to Isomil soy and then we swiched to playtex bottles (this was before they got drop in liners) and she was great then. I babysit a now 10 mo old and she is on her 4th formula! We finally convinced her mom to try playtex bottles and now she isn't having a single problem. The nice thing about the playtex bottles is that you really don't need a ton of them!! Good luck & happy holidays!!

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M.S.

answers from Johnstown on

Hello. Two of my 3 daughters had refulx. Both took a different formula. My first daughter needed the Nutramigen and had baby cereal mixed in. With her I did what the doctor said to do. My second daughter had the Good Start formula and didn't need the cereal. She seemed to have the least amount of reflux with that formula. I found that with both, the bottles with the disposable liners helped too. I honestly feel you need to experiment a little here and there on your own to find out what's best for your baby.You are with your baby daily and would know her reactions better than a doctor or WIC would.

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M.M.

answers from Sharon on

My son had reflux and it was horrible. He had to take Zantac three times a day and have his bottles thickened with rice ceral from the time he was 3 weeks old til he was about 10 months old. The cereal really helped to keep the formula down. My doctor had me mix 1 tbsp of ceral for each ounce of formula. I would talk to your doctor and see if this is an option. It worked great for my little guy. Good Luck!

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