Supplementing W/formula Causing Gas & Diarrhea

Updated on September 20, 2010
A.B. asks from Elkins, WV
8 answers

My daughter has been going to daycare for a few weeks now and I am sending some expressed breastmilk and some formula. The formula seems to be giving her diarrhea and some gas.But I am more concerned about the diarrhea. I cannot provide her with enough breastmilk so I have to use some formula. She is 4 1/2 mos old and I am using the Parent's Choice generic of Similac Advance formula. Any suggestions?

I do put the water in first when mixing formula. I mix it right before I leave, put it in a cooler with ice packs, drive straight to daycare, and then put it in the fridge there. The bm is pumped the day before, kept in a fridge at work, a cooler with ice packs on the way home, the fridge at home and then to daycare the same as the formula. So I don't think it is a problem with strorage.

I do plan to ask my ped. next week at her dr. appt.

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M.P.

answers from Portland on

It's possible that she's lactose intolerant. Gas and diarrhea are the main symptoms of lactose intolerance. I suggest talking with her pediatrician.

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S.D.

answers from Dallas on

You might try Mylicon Drops. Walmart even has an "equate" brand of it. I also supplemented formula while I was breastfeeding and my daughter had some gas issues. Mylicon was a lifesaver. I gave her a dropper full after feeding and it really helped. I gave it to her from 3 mos on, so I don't think you would have any problems giving it to your daughter. Good luck....this will get easier!

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S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

Are they making and storing your milk and the Formula properly? Chilled? and not leaving it out?
If it is not kept properly then maybe that can give her diarrhea....
And I assume, they are mixing the Formula properly? Putting in the water first... then the scoops of Formula.
If not, the Formula will be too concentrated... maybe causing diarrhea.

Or try a different Formula brand... or ask your Pediatrician...

The Mylicon infant gas drops are great.... I used that for my daughter who had MEGA gas problems and pain.

all the best,
Susan

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K.B.

answers from Harrisburg on

Try mixing the two. Parents Choice is an excellent formula. They do have different varities so do try the one with less gas, the gentle formula. Be sure she is getting thoroughly burped during her feedings and after, and have her propped up for a bit after each feeding as well in a bouncer or in her car seat.

K. B
mom to 5 including triplets

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1 mom found this helpful
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E.F.

answers from Pittsburgh on

We were in exactly the same situation. Nestle Good Start (in the green can, with the probiotics) did the trick for us until he got to be about 6 months and I could move him back to the Similac Organic. A couple other things helped:

1.) Stir, don't shake the bottle. Gently.
2.) I used the Dr. Browns bottles.
3.) Feed at room temperature or slightly cold.

Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful
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C.G.

answers from Philadelphia on

We had the same problem when our son was 6 weeks old. I couldn't supply enough breastmilk to keep up w/his demand, so we supplemented w/formula. He had the same symptoms you described, and I was staying at home w/him, so there were no storage issues. Pediatrician suggested switching to formula only, but he still had some problems. We tried Enfamil, Similac, a no-iron version, and a soy version, then we tried Nestle Good Start, and that finally did the trick. Poor thing was 4 months old by the time we got it all sorted out, but at least he had no more nasty diaper blowouts. Mylicon didn't do a thing to help. When our daughter was born, we started her out on Nestle Good Start, and she had none of the issues our son did. She might not be able to handle switching back and forth between breastmilk and formula. Some kids can, some can't. As someone else suggested, your daughter might be lactose intolerant, so you might want to try a soy-based formula. Good luck finding out what the source of the problem is. I know you'll both be much happier once the situation is resolved.

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M.S.

answers from Philadelphia on

You may want to try Similac Sensitive. That really helped my son with his gas and stomach issues.

1 mom found this helpful

M.L.

answers from Erie on

I would try to find out if she is lactose intolerant. I had to supplement with my first too and ended up finding out that he didn't tolerate the regular formula and after we switched, he was fine.

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