Homemade formula- have you done it?

One of my twins seems to be having terrible reflux. She is fighting her feedings and screaming and now not eating. I have switched her formula five times. I am now thinking of making my own. Anyone do this? Is it difficult to keep up with? Did your pediatrician approve? Need help. I should mention I think she has a milk allergy. Switched to soy against my better judgement then went to nutramigen. She is very gassy and writhing in pain. I am ready to cry for her. I can't watch her go through this anymore. Need help please!

Homemade formula- have you done it?

How long has she been on the Nutramigen? How long were you waiting before switching formulas? Is she on reflux medicine?

Reflux medicine worked wonders for my daughter. She was on axid until about 8 months old but we probably could have been fine sooner. She was also on Nutramigen. Took a few days for the initial change but about a week or two for more of a change.

Do you see blood in her stool? That's typically the first sign of a milk protein allergy, although not always as my daughter never did. Also, your dr can do a stool test to see if there is any blood that may be unnoticeable to the naked eye.

Typically you have to wait at least a few days before changing top a different formula. Changing to quickly can aggravate their stomachs even more.

What does making your own formula involve? I personally probably wouldn't do it because of the nutritional value not being there.

Good luck! There are answers out there and your little one will get better soon!

Message edited 4/16/2014 1:29:53 AM.

Homemade formula- have you done it?

There's also prescription. Neocate might work.

Is she on meds for the acid reflux?

I don't think I I would make my own formula....

Homemade formula- have you done it?

I just looked up how to make it and there's a few things that would concern me. The first and most important is the lack of vitamins and nutritional value. The second would be, if you are concerned about a milk protein allergy then this would definitely not work and could possiblymmake things worse as it is pure milk which is harder to digest.

Re: Homemade formula- have you done it?

My daughter is on Elecare. We got a prescription for it and its the only one that works. Its expensive if your insurance dont cover it. Ask your Dr. if they have any samples of it. If not I am willing to give you a can to see if it helps.
Also does your DD take any Axid or anything for the reflux?

Re: Homemade formula- have you done it?

We haven't taken medicine yet as that is our last resort. She has been on nutramigen for almost a week. She was on Enfacare, Gentlease and Soy. I didnt realize how bad soy was or else I wouldn't have tried it. I am going to give the nutramigen another week although this is painful to watch and I can't imagine how my poor baby is feeling ??

As far as the homemade formula I wouldn't use raw milk. I would use Goats milk which is closest to breast milk. Unfortunately with twins I wasn't producing enough and I was completely exhausted from trying so I stopped. If I could breast feed this wouldn't be an issue unfortunately. My brother is a chiropractor and one of his patients is doing this and her baby is doing great. As far as nutrients all the sites suggest using vitamins like tri vi sol which my girls are on already. So I am not concerned about that.

Re: Homemade formula- have you done it?

Have you tried organic? My DS is a new baby now that he's on organic.

Re: Homemade formula- have you done it?

I should also mention that the ingredients in commercial formula is pretty much crap. The first ingredient on most is corn syrup solids! Crap!

As far as organic I have not. Cows milk is cows milk. If it is made with goats milk then that is a different story

Homemade formula- have you done it?

It could take more than a week to see a differce. Give it another week. There's also alimentum. Every baby tolerates each formula differently. Unfortunately it's a lot of trial and error

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Re: Homemade formula- have you done it?

Re: Homemade formula- have you done it?

My middle DD had a milk protein allergy and reflux. We tried nutramigen and it was torture for her (transitioned from breastmilk due to even minuscule amounts of me eating dairy hurting her). We had to use Neocate and it changed her within a day or two. Our insurance covered it. She was also on Axid for reflux. Hers was very severe and already causing issues at 8 weeks old.

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Re: Homemade formula- have you done it?

If you think she has a milk protein allergy then you should be seeing a GI doctor. She may need neocate or elecare. My baby was a different baby after 2 weeks on neocate.

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Re: Homemade formula- have you done it?

Message edited 4/16/2014 9:26:37 AM.

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Re: Homemade formula- have you done it?

Go see a GI doctor I am actually surprised your ped has not recommended this already.

If your child needs medicine which it sounds like they do give it to her. Its not evil.

DS was put on medicine and elecare and he has been on it since 7 or 8 weeks. He was much happier!

Homemade formula- have you done it?

There are very real effects that conventional formula can pose. Looking back, I know that ingredients in Enfamil and Similac harmed my baby - that is my fact as it pertains to my life. If other babies thrived on it, I take no issue. But as I stated in another thread, doctors are quick to medicate and label allergies and reflux when it may not be necessary. I knew my DS did NOT have reflux, as did his ped, and I did tons of research and switched his formula until we found that organic works best. Changed his life, and mine, over night.

No one is a bad mom for choosing one brand of formula over another, or to medicate for reflux if necessary, but do your research. Not all formula is created equal. Sure, my kid might not have an issue now, but I am concerned for his future as well.

Re: Homemade formula- have you done it?

this book is the first (and only) place I have ever seen talk about homemade formula. It sounds a little risky to me, but (at the risk of offending anyone, and I am sorry in advance), I agree with you, that I would rather not feed my baby corn syrup solids if I could avoid it.
Personally, I don't think I would do it unless my ped approved. I would rather go the organic formula route I think.
Doing a quick search online, there are commercial goat milk formulas available. The ingredients for one are :
Goat milk protein, organic vanilla, organic flax, xylitol, whole goat milk, goat cream flakes, organic coconut, organic sugar, goat whey and goat colostrum. Not sure about feeding an infant xylitol though.... isn't that a sugar alcohol?
Here is
the link
When my DS switched to milk, I switched him to goat's milk, b/c it is more similar to human milk (the fat content and makeup, and the proteins, and I think other factors too). I think it is worth a try to use goat milk vs cow milk formula.
Dr Sears also has recipes for goat milk formula: Dr Sears. But again, personally, I would look for my dr's approval first.

Good luck, and hope your LO feels better soon!!

Re: Homemade formula- have you done it?

In no way was I trying to offend anyone and I apologize if I have. To say I am on a "high horse" is a bit harsh. I now know why people leave this site. There are way too many individuals who take what others say personally instead of what it is meant as. A place where people can vent, get advice, encouragement and support. I liked the site for IF. As for parenting, I guess people can't handle when someone has a differing opinion. In case you forgot, I am feeding my children conventional formula. It is not working for them. Wouldn't you want an answer as to why your child screams when they eat???? Sorry if I am inexperienced and all I care about is getting my LO to eat in peace. I am just looking for answers just as everyone else on here is. I don't appreciate being attacked as I was not attacking anyone nor am I judging anyone for their choices. As a mom you are your child's only true advocate and whatever your gut tells you to do you do! I make no judgements EVER!!! I am educated thank you very much which is why I know their is more than one way to do things in this world and just because a Dr suggests something doesn't mean A it will work or B you should follow it. I don't take meds so why would I jump to that for my child? That is just me. You do what you want and think is best and I do the same.

It saddens me I will now leave a site that helped me get through a very hard time. It took me so long to conceive and now that I have two gorgeous little girls to show for it I am going to do whatever I can to make their lives as pain free and happy as I can. That is my goal in life now.


Good luck to everyone and best wishes

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Re: Homemade formula- have you done it?

Message edited 4/16/2014 10:28:56 AM.

Re: Homemade formula- have you done it?

I don't think you should leave and you did apologize

But having a difference of opinion and downright insulting how someone feeds their child are two completely different things

So understand why people,you can use me for exams take offense when it's called crap


My son had reflux and he needed meds and we tried for kinds of formula
I see some have issues with medS but I can say it helped not hurt my baby. Same with formula
Also gas drops gripe water. Baby yoga frequent burps. Incline to sleep and feed small amounts more often

Good luck to you.