Those who used Alimentum...

DD is almost a month old and has been on Alimentum for about 2 weeks now. For those who gave their DC Alimentum:

1) How long did your DC stay on it? Is it given just until their stomach or digestive system is more mature?

2) Do you find that the formula is thicker than others? Asking because it seems to take her forever to suck it out of the newborn nipple and I'm wondering if I should move to the 3-month nipple already?

Re: Those who used Alimentum...

My son was on Alimentum for a short period of time before he went on to Elecare. Alimentum was actually thinner than the other formulas - our ped had us put oatmeal cereal in it to bulk it up.

Re: Those who used Alimentum...

We used it for a week, because ds had diarrhea, we were trying to see if it helped.

It seemed thinner, and DS loved it, he gulped it down fast and hard, couldn't get enough. I couldn't. Take the smell.

We eventually moved to good start, and now on similac organic.

eta: she could just be ready for a faster nipple, I would try it.

Message edited 9/14/2010 9:18:42 PM.

Re: Those who used Alimentum...

This was 3yrs ago...but, DD was on it till she was 15mths.
There is really no need to change over unless directed to do so.

It worked instantly and we got it cov'd from our insurance company, where it was delivered to our house.

Because I wasnt paying for it and was offered, I used the ready to feed formula simply for the fact that it was easy, less for me to do.

I believe that RTF is/looks thicker though my doc stated its the same as powder.

Its the worst smelling formula ever!
Also very expensive, esp if you dont get coverage for it.

Message edited 9/14/2010 9:22:18 PM.

Re: Those who used Alimentum...

DD's almost 8 months and has been on this since 2 weeks. She has a milk protein allergy and we're not trying dairy until 9 months. If I can get brave enough, I might try Gentlease or soy soon, but I don't know if I can bring myself to do it - she was so unhappy before Alimentum. On the other hand, most babies do outgrow their milk protein allergies so who knows...

It's not thicker - it is def thinner. We have always only used the RTF so I can't compare powdered.

Re: Those who used Alimentum...

I can't help too much b/c I'm new at this as well.

BUT...

My son was allergic to the protein in my BM so at 6.5 weeks he had to be switched to formula (Alimentum). He is 11 weeks and my doc said he will stay on this as long as he's not taking more than 40oz's a day. We are also still giving him extra calories b/c he was so underweight from the BM allergy.

She said eventually we can add cereal. She also said he can stay on formula for at least a year if need be.

I also get it covered through insurance and shipped to my home...so I'm cool with him staying on this forever.

IT DOES SMELL SO AWFUL though

Re: Those who used Alimentum...

DS was on Alimentum until he was 10 months old, then we successfully switched to Similac Advance. We tried swicthing at 3 months but it didn't go well so I was reluctant to try again for a while. DS did not have a milk allergy, just a sensitivity. Alimentum is actually much thinner than regular formulas. You can always try the 3 month nipple to see if that's better. We stayed on the stage 1 nipple for quite a while though.

ETA: we paid out of pocket for the Alimentum and always bought RTF. Seeing how much better DS was on Alimentum made spending the money worth it.

Message edited 9/14/2010 10:22:01 PM.

Re: Those who used Alimentum...

DD was on it until the day we gave her milk. I actually thought it was more liquid then other formulas DD had tried.

Re: Those who used Alimentum...

DS used Alimentum from 4 1/2 months old (when I stopped BFing) to a year old. He did very well on it.