I'm not sure if I should be continuing with Similac Advance Early Shield. I am a first time mom with a 4 week old. I breastfed up until 3 days ago so I'm not sure what to expect. My son seems gassy, fussy and upset after feeding. He consistently spits up a little after each feeding. His stools are watery. I was going to continue for a full week and then maybe try the sensitive formula. How do you know if your baby has reflux? Has anyone been here? I have a pediatrician appt next Wed.
Hello! I'm a mom of 6, almost 7. I've breastfed and bottlefed. Sounds to me like you should try soy formula. (You don't have to wait to see a doc to do that, because finding the right formula is really a trial and error thing) It helped with my daughter who had similar problems. She stopped spitting up all the time and she wasn't gassy. Good luck!
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*****and AMEN Denise!! Meddling women, answer the question, not question!!
Hey G.
It sounds like he may just be having trouble with the switch to formula. It takes their belly time to adjust to the new food. Reflux is much worse than a little spit up after eating. My son had reflux and besides A LOT of projectile spit up all day, he was in pain too with screaming, arching, grunting and inability to lay down at all. If you keep switching formula he won't have time to adjust to any of them. He doesn't sound lactose intolerant either. If I were you, I'd give the formula you are using a few more days and use mylicon to help the gas. His stools will start to change as he gets older.
Just my opinion.
Hi there!
The best advice is nursing. My son felt miserable with any kiind of formula so I decided to keep nursing him. Now he is almost 11 months old and I still nurse him and he is a very happy healthy boy!
I do not know your reasons for quitting with nursing and if you have a problem then of course there must be solution to that as well but I think that is doctors job to help. Mayby soy milk formula?
Good luck!
M.
That's a big switch for such a young baby with such an underdeveloped digestive system. It sounds like he's having a tough time digesting it.--Formula is very h*** o* the gut.
Are you going back to work soon?--Is that why you chose to stop nursing? Were you having a tough time with it?--I know that the first few weeks can be really tough, but there is so much help out there if you want it!
La Leche League is an amazing organization & I credit them with the success that I've had nursing both of my children. I went through a lot of tough times with both of them--especially with my first!!! The other great thing about going back to nursing is that not only is it much easier in the long-run (once you get the wrinkles ironed out) but it's SO much cheaper!!!! Did you know that the average baby consumes at least $1700 in formula? If you end up needing a special one, it can be double that figure or more! Ouch!
I hope that you find a good solution & that your son starts to feel better soon! Hang in there!
It's hard to say without really seeing your baby, but it doesn't particularly sound like reflux to me based on what you've said. It still could be and maybe I'm just not seeing the full picture. All 3 of my kids had reflux, and while there is a wide range of symptoms, mine all spit up A LOT, and not just right after meals, but even an hour or two later. They also were more than just uncomfortable - they would scream and were in real pain. None of them ever really had a "normal baby" cry - more screaming than crying. Also, arching of the back during or after feeding is a big reflux sign. If you think you may be dealing with reflux, I'd be happy to share some of my experiences with you.
As for the formula, ideally a gradual switch from breastmilk to formula may have been easier (unless your son was having the same issues on breastmilk), but if you couldn't do that don't worry. Just move forward from here. With the reflux, we did have to try out different formulas, and we were told by our GI doc that it can take up to 2 weeks for a baby to start adjusting to a different food. If it's tolerable, maybe stick it out a few more days and see if things start to improve. If it's not tolerable, then call the ped and ask what they would suggest you try, but again be willing to give your son a bit of time to get used to the new formula. It's possible you may need to try a few before you find one that works, but just don't switch too frequently or you may make it more difficult for your son to adjust and might even miss one that would work for him.
Hang in there. It can be exhausting and frustrating when something we think of as simple (eating) turns out to be a challenge. Try to be patient and work with your doc and I'm sure you'll find the right formula for your son.
Hi G.,
I'm sure it will take some time for him to adjust to the formula.
I formula fed my son. I found that the powder (not sure if that's what you're using or not) made him very gassy & uncomfortable. I switched to the mixed, liquid Similac Advance and it was much better and only a little more expensive. Not sure if that's what's going on with your son or not.
Some advice for a first time mom: Never hesitate to call your pediatrician! That's what they're there for. Don't hesitate to call if you have questions or concerns. No need to wait til next week if you feel like talking to a nurse now. I always kind of hesitated to call but soon realized that they don't mind at all. They're there to help you out.
Good luck and congrats on your new little O.!
***ADDED*** I think it's sad that so many of these responses are NOT answering the question that was asked, but questioning G.'s decision to formula feed. Formula feeding vs. breast feeding is a personal decision which should be respected, not questioned!****
have you tried mylicon in his bootles? that worked great for my daughters gas. also we used enfamil gentlease. the protein is more broken down and easier to digest than regualr formula (it may be the same as the similac youre already using, i never used similac)
Hi G.,
Contact your local breastfeeding consultant at La Leche League.
Hope this helps. D.
First question: was he always like this, or was it just once you switched to formula. If he was always like that, is that the reason you stopped breastfeeding? A month is not very much time for breastfeeding to get ironed out (though it SEEMS like forever!!!) Their little systems take about 3 months to get used to any kind of food though the breastmilk is so much easier for them to digest, and nearly all babies are gassy at that age. I know how much pressure there is to breastfeed, and I'm not judging moms who don't. But especially this time of year, going into flu season and until they get more of their shots, the immunity you pass to them in breastmilk is really important. I had to supplement my son with a little formula which allowed me to continue breastfeeding until he was (almost) a year old. So if you want, there are ways to make formula AND breastfeeding work.
If this is a new thing, did you transition him from breastmilk to formula? You should start mixing the breastmilk 75% to 25% formula for 4 or 5 days. Then move to 50-50 ration for 4-5 day and then 75% formula, 25% breast milk for 4-5 days. If it has only been 3 days, you should still have milk. Call your pediatrician and/or lactation consultant right away and get some help.
I had to supplement my son with a bottle of formula a day and I found he did much better with the Carnation Good Start (with active cultures). Again, you have to transition them with a similar kind of ratio of old formula to new formula. Don't just switch formulas without your dr.'s advice.
Hi G.,
Unfortunately, gassiness and spitting up is very common in formula-fed babies. Being as how you just put your little man on formula only 3 days ago, I would say he needs more time for his little body to adjust to the difference. Remember that his digestive system isn't nearly as developed as an adult's and needs more time. You probably should get some of the Mylicon infant gas drops and give to him with his feedings. They won't hurt him and may become your best friend. They do work. I would keep him on the formula until you see the pediatrician and then ask their opinion on the matter. You don't want to keep switching things out on him. Best of luck!
Hi G.!
I was in the same situation as you are in right now.....i too stopped nursing at about four weeks and switched to similac advance. my dd was also a bit fussy and uncomfortable after feeding, and always spit up a bit too...this soon went away after a few weeks...dd stools were always watery too...my ped assured me that was normal...her stools "thickened up" soon after i added solids at about 5 1/2 months....it is true that formula is harder to digest than breastmilk and baby needs some time to adjust...as long as he isn't having any other problems i think you should continue with the similac (of course you will consult with your ped)....
*****and please, don't let anyone let you feel bad for your decision not to breastfeed...i needlessly felt guilty for a long time! my dd at 13 months is growing beautifully, walking, talking a bit, and is completing her shape sorter!! (haha!) she hasn't even had so much as a sniffle!****
Some babies do not do well with all this (fake) DHA and ARA added to the advanced formulas. I breastfed and always used Good Start (without the DHA and ARA which babies do not need in such quantities and our bodies are perfectly able to make) formula to supplement or wean. Have I mentioned I'm not a fan of DHA and ARA?
I have tried many formulas for my baby who has the same issues, and Enfamil Gentlease has worked great. Finally!
Why did you quit breasfeeding? Sounds like he might not be able to take mike base formula. I would call your Dr.
good luck T.
Just curious as to why you stopped nursing after such a short time period. I would assume that a change to any formula would initially cause belly aches because it is such a shock to the system. Remember that breastmilk is the perfect food for your newborn, but if you feel the need to switch to formula for some reason, you should consult your pediatrician.
Too funny that I just sent you a message reguarding this:
I would try the orange can of simulac..I think it is sensitive. Also the Good Start Gental formula protien plus...it is green at the bottom. Call me if you need anything. What bottles are you using? Are you burping him often? Is the nipple a slow flow or medium? I recommend Dr. Browns bottles, and I also recommend the product called "Gripe water" for digestion for Zachary.
Much love and hugs.
ADDED: Bfeeding is not for everyone, and G. was one too try and try, and see her doctor. She did not give up, she did what she felt was right. There are plenty of women in this world who have never even tried to bfeed, and for another mamma to denounce her about not continuing her bfeeding is wrong. You do not know the behind the scene reasons why her and so many other first time moms, and even 2nd time moms do not/can not/stop bfeeding. Maybe it is medical, and maybe it is just her choice. Not our buisness. What is our business is to support her. G., I am glad you are at peace with your choice.
Why did you stop breastfeeding? If he was doing well on your breastmilk, I would stop feeding him formula and go back to the breast. It sounds like he is not tolerating formula very well.
