Using Nutramigin or Alimentum without a dairy allergy?

DD tested negative for a dairy allergy on three stool samples. However, she is still very fussy during feedings and is so gassy, even with mylicon drops, gripe water, etc. We came up a plan with my doctor, and after we try changing bottles, and reflux meds, he suggested that we try one of the special formula anyhow, because some kids just do better on it. Has anyone used these formulas without a diagnosed allergy? Was it successful? DD has been eating less and less, and it seems to be due to gas/constipation, from what we can tell. TIA!

Using Nutramigin or Alimentum without a dairy allergy?

We switched my 4.5 month old to Alimentum without an official diagnoses at around 2 weeks old. She did better, but is still just a crabby kid, lol. It's worth a try!

Re: Using Nutramigin or Alimentum without a dairy allergy?

We tried Nutramigen for DS and it was a total disaster. As soon as I made a bottle I knew it wouldn't work because the stuff smelled terrible. He wouldn't really drink it and the little that he did gave him horrible diarrhea. I went right back to the Similac Sensative and just help him as much as I can with his gasiness and try and deal with the fussiness.

Re: Using Nutramigin or Alimentum without a dairy allergy?

Dd #2 did not have a dairy allergy. But was 100000% better on nutramgin. When was switched to milk she had as issue and was on lactaid for a little bit. But she's on whole milk now (2 years old) without any issues

Re: Using Nutramigin or Alimentum without a dairy allergy?

My first DS did not have a dairy allergy- but he had reflux. He was on Alimentum and it helped a lot. He had no eating issues. He was still a fussy infant until about 3-4 months old, during that period it gradually got better!

But I kept him on the Alimentum anyway until he was 1 because I didn't want to take any chances! I hope it works for you. It is very very hard having a fussy newborn!!

Re: Using Nutramigin or Alimentum without a dairy allergy?

DS had reflux but did not have a milk protein allergy. GI and ped both recommended Alimentum and zantac and they made a huge difference. HUGE. He chugged the Alimentum. He was on it until 10 months (bc I was ultra-cautious with changinh back to Similac Advanced) and did great and was/is quite a big boy.

Try it. It's expensive but we saw a difference quickly so it was worth every penny.

Re: Using Nutramigin or Alimentum without a dairy allergy?

DS was never tested for an allergy and i never saw any blood in his stool. Regardless he was an EXTREMELY fussy baby. Very gassy, needed the paci in non stop, wanted to be held, wasn't cooing, etc. Dr. suggested Nutramigen (at 13 weeks) Within 24 hours he was a different baby and wouldn't stop cooing.

FYI- we started on Similac Advance, then Sensitive, then Enfamil Gentalese then finally Nutramigen. I have no plans to switch or to test him for an allergy!

ETA- Nutramigen smells liked mashed potatoes!

Message edited 8/8/2012 8:07:06 PM.

Re: Using Nutramigin or Alimentum without a dairy allergy?

We switched to Nutramigen On our own w/o a diagnosed milk protein allergy. She did great on it, was like a new baby. It wouldn't hurt to try it. She had no probs switching to whole milk at 1 yr.

Re: Using Nutramigin or Alimentum without a dairy allergy?

We started DD on Alimentum at 2 weeks because she had really bad reflux already and the ped rec'd it. She did ok on it and when we added the prevacid she did great. I tried to wean her to a different formula at 6 months and she did terrible so I know she really needs the formula. We are lucky in that insurance covers it because it can get $$.

Re: Using Nutramigin or Alimentum without a dairy allergy?

my 1st was on alimentum even though he wasn't positive for a milk allergy and he did great on it!!!!! Sometimes the special formulas are easier on the belly.

Using Nutramigin or Alimentum without a dairy allergy?

We also use Alimentum for one of my twins. My other twin is on similac Soy-Isomil. The Alimentum is costly but my son has done well with it. We have not been tested for allergies. Honestly, I just asked about this the other day. The Pediatrician said the only way to test allergy is by blood test. When they test for stool they are just checking for blood etc. If you can, try to get insurance covered. Ours does NOT!!!

Re: Using Nutramigin or Alimentum without a dairy allergy?

My baby was colicky... we tried all different formulas (regular Similac, Gentlease, sot, etc.). Doc gave us Nutramigen for him without testing for milk allergy. It was like giving him liquid POISON. He would SCREAM after a bottle until he had a diaper explosion.

I switched docs. That doc tested him... no milk protein allergy! So, he had us try Gerber Good Start and that was MUCH better. 2 weeks later, though, his fussiness came back and we switched to "Enfamil AR" for reflux, which was amazing for him. He's still on that now!

Re: Using Nutramigin or Alimentum without a dairy allergy?

Jackie, try Gerber good start gentle. we have switched so many formulas and this one works the best. My son is not allergic to milk, but he has eczema, so we had to be really selective. Nutrimagen gave him horrible diareah and he would not even touch Alimentum ( scream like hell). Gerber works wonders on his skin and tummy. GL!

Using Nutramigin or Alimentum without a dairy allergy?

did you try using a probiotic - that did wonders for my son - if you search there is a mom who know lots - and the gerber good start gentle

Re: Using Nutramigin or Alimentum without a dairy allergy?

We ended up with Gentlease (its in the middle of enfamil and nutramigen) and for DD she was on nutraimigen for colic. I will point out that the powder version is the only formula that is hypoallergenic with a probiotic in it. Made a huge difference.

Re: Using Nutramigin or Alimentum without a dairy allergy?

i think the only issue that you will face is without ped diagnosis and script, insurance wont pay for it!

Re: Using Nutramigin or Alimentum without a dairy allergy?

YEP..we were on alimentum at like 2 weeks old. No dairy allergy, but the fussiness & gas was awful. cried for hours every day, spitting up. The alimentum helped immensely and we were on it until about 4 mo. when we weaned him off that onto good start gentle.

Re: Using Nutramigin or Alimentum without a dairy allergy?

Posted by curiousO

Jackie, try Gerber good start gentle. we have switched so many formulas and this one works the best. My son is not allergic to milk, but he has eczema, so we had to be really selective. Nutrimagen gave him horrible diareah and he would not even touch Alimentum ( scream like hell). Gerber works wonders on his skin and tummy. GL!