new mom - formula question

Hi everyone, this is my first post on this board!
DD is 3 weeks old, and I have been pumping and also supplementing with Enfamil Gentle-ease formula. She gets maybe 3-4 BM bottles a day, and the rest are formula. She is eating between 3-4 oz per feeding.

DD does not really spit up, however she is very gassy . I have tried the mylicon drops often, and gripe water, but I dont see a real difference.

She has countless poopy diapers a day, but she always seems to be in A LOT of pain with her gas. I do the bicycle with her legs to try and bring her some relief.

My question is, do I need the ped's permission to try another formula?
Is there a formula you would recommend for the gas issues?

Thanks!!!!

Message edited 3/26/2011 10:16:59 AM.

Re: new mom - formula question

You could try doing 1/2 and 1/2 bottles. I did that when I had to supplement. 1/2 bm 1/2 formula. It's hard on there lil bodies to switch like that and gas is quite common. I also suggest Tommee Tippee bottles. They helped her colic a lot.

I really think it's the switch from bm to full formula bottles. Do 1/2 and 1/2 and you'll be better

Edited to add: I never called my doc when I switched from Enfamil to Good Start Gentle + That worked well for us

Message edited 3/26/2011 10:23:14 AM.

Re: new mom - formula question

I would check w your ped but I don't think it will be a problem.
What kind of bottles are you using?
We like the playtex ventaire
Dr Browns are also good for letting less air in the bottles

Re: new mom - formula question

Gentlease is the perfect formula for fussy gassy babies...stick it out and it will work. Most babies are gassy during weeks 4-12 due to an immature digestive tract with a minor lactose sensativity.

Make sure you burp at least every 1-2 oz, which helps get trapped gas out..don't let baby cry too much before feeding and do bicycles will help.

Its a phase and will pass.

Mylicon has not been shown to work, but some swear by it...its not harmful..I used it...can't say if it made a difference, but worth a shot

Re: new mom - formula question

i always checked with my ped before i changed formulas

that being said, i went through TONS of formulas bc both of my boys were EXTREMELY gassy. like crying and screaming in pain.

i tried:
enfamil gentle ease
enfamil newborn
nutramigen
similac regular
gerber goodstart green can
gerber goodstart orange can

i FINALLY tried similac sensitive and they have made a 180 degree turn around and are GREAT.

i didnt want to use similac bc of the sucrose content, but they love it and are doing extremely well on it so it's really their choice not mine!

i would try it - it's been a God send

Re: new mom - formula question

Re: new mom - formula question

you should have seen a difference by now. Keep in mind that similac sensative is a lactose free product. Unless your child has a true lactose allergy (rare - less than 2% of population) the AAP does not recommend the use of lactose free products.

My other suggestion would be to try newborn. They whey to caesin is 80/20 to be easier to digest - although I almost always find gentlease to work b/c of the partially hydrolyzed proteins, but it is 60/40 whey to caesin

Good start is 100% whey with partially hydrolyzed proteins, which you can try also.

If all fais, I always recommend nutramigen (powder), but I try to avoid the expensive of the formula if I can.

If you want to sample any of these you can ask your ped. or enfamil has a program called helping hands that they will send you a few cans for free.

GL!