how do you know if/when you should try changing formula

MY DS is going to be seven weeks old, he has been on enfamil lipil with iron since he was born at the hospital. To date, he never really showed any problems o it so we just stayed with what he hospital gave us and discussed with pediatrician and she said it was fine. For the last few days he seems to be having a lot of gas, almost seems constipated in a way....last night was actually a complete nightmare he creid a lot more than usual and it relaly seemd to be gas---no temp and overall health seems fine....we finally caved in and gave him myliconand he seemd ok and went to sleep. I really don't want to have to give him mylicon with every feeding, just doesn't seem right to me or healthy to have to do that???? and we are now wondering if we should switch formulas. I'm going to call pediatrician on monda to get her thoughts but am just not sure......am wondering if anyone has hasd this experience or maybe it was just for a few days and will pass....today he seemed ok but definitely gets fussy after eating.....I'm a first time mom so not sure if al lthis is normal but I want him to be comfortable....he does seem to be going ot the bathrom regularly....we are now wondering if we should try enfamil gentlease but I read that has casein and my DH said that is bad....I am confused......

Message edited 2/23/2008 10:09:37 PM.

Re: how do you know if/when you should try changing formula

I went by my gut and went from Enfamil Lipil to Enfamil AR bc DD was spitting up a ton. It definitely helped A LOT. The next time I went to the doctor, I told them and they didn't even flinch.

Maybe you should try Enfamil Gentalease? I actually have a couple cans of powder I got for free that you can have if you want them.

Re: how do you know if/when you should try changing formula

For me, the first time we switched formula because DD was getting very gassy- and was having trouble pooping. We also gave her mylicon- but like you, I didn't feel like it was normal to have to give mylicon at every feeding.

We consulted with the ped, and they agreed, and had us switch to a soy-based formula.

It worked for a while, but she started having problems again pooping. So our ped told us to give DD pear juice at every feeding- which worked. Then came the projectile vomitting. It was horrible. She did it at almost every feeding. So, then we switched to a pre-digested formula which has worked wonders!!

If you think something is not right, go with your gut and consult with your pediatrician!

Re: how do you know if/when you should try changing formula

That sounds like my DD. She was extremely gassy and very irritable when it came to feedings. Like you, we were giving Enfamil Lipil and realized she was way too uncomfortable. Our ped kind of made it seem that we should try to not switch formulas b/c their digestive system is still developing and maturing. Our dr made it seem that there is not a huge difference between formulas, but we knew we needed to switch. Now DD is on Enfamil Gentlease and it has worked like a charm. She eats so much better. Check with your Dr though. They might tell you something different. For me, I just felt that it was time to try something else. It's hard to see them uncomfortable. In the Gentlease, the proteins are broken down more, so it is easier on their digestive system.

Re: how do you know if/when you should try changing formula

Our problems probably started at about 8 weeks. We called the doctor and explained that we really were not sure what was nornal. She walked us through it. Basically, she said that my DS crying for 5 hours straight was not normal or healthy. It was a rocky road for a bit but my DS is now officially diagnosed as having a milk protein allergy and severe reflux (some reflux is normal though).

Re: how do you know if/when you should try changing formula

We switched to Gentlease at 10 weeks. Gas is pretty normal, but at 10 weeks he was still screaming with it, so my ped suggested switching and within a week he was a different baby.

Call your ped and see what they suggest

Re: how do you know if/when you should try changing formula

DD was the same way, we started her on Enfanil Lipil from the hospital, but that changed after a week of being home because of gas...finally, seven formulas later we found Similac Sensitive and we have a whole new baby. Definitely talk to your ped, they will reccommend something else.

Re: how do you know if/when you should try changing formula

Our DD was very gassy from day 1. The hospital had her on Similac Advance. We tried switching bottles and that helped a little, but she still seemed so uncomfortable. We spoke to the ped and they said give her the mylicon drops, but we were giving them to her constantly and weren't happy doing it. I asked the ped again and he said as long as she wasn't spitting up excessively and was having normal bowel movements then it was probably just her digestive system needed to develop. We stayed on the Similac for another week and she was still sooooo miserable so we took it upon ourselves to switch her to Similac Sensitive. Both DH and I are Lactose Intolerant and we thought that might be the issue. Whether she's a little older and her digestive system is more developed (she's a month old) or the new formula is what she needed, but she is doing great on the new formula. She's like a totally different baby.

Re: how do you know if/when you should try changing formula

We had DS on Similac and for the first 4 week he was fine, then all of the sudden he would be in pain from gas. had no issues with BMs but the gas would wake him up screaming. I talked to my ped who said it didnt sound like a lactose issue so she suggested Good Start. We did a gradual switch mixing the formulas.
Now was have no gas issues.

Trust your gut and talk to your Dr.
Also what I did was track my son's crankiness for a few days. This helped me to feel confident that it was just the gas and nothing further.