Switching Formula - my baby may be allergic to it....and Question to Ask

In my earlier post, i mentioned that Julia had dirahhea - it started after she got her Hept. Shot coincidentaly - but the doctor said the shot did not contribute to her diarahea.

Well...dirahhea started on Thursday - I took her to the doctor on Friday - the doctor said since all her diapers had been poopy ones - to give her an ounce of Pedilyte after her meal (Similac Advance with Iron) and see if her diarrahea continues through te weekend...

Well....it continued allll weekend, every diaper was a dirty one and her appetite somewhat decreased. I called the doctor this morning and told her nothing changed - and she told me that it sounded like my baby was allergic to the milk "cow's milk" and to switch over to Similac Alimentium which i started today. She said there are some babies that develop this allergy after a month - and told me that a symptom was dirahhea and a tinge of red "blood" in the dirahhea which Julia had.

So - off i go to the store to buy Alimenium and holy cow - its expensive!! Hopefully - my baby will feel better after this -

Im wondering if Any other mothers have experience with their babies being allergic to the formula? How does Allimentium work for them?
TIA

Message edited 3/27/2006 4:12:46 PM.

Re: My baby may be Allergic to Formula (Milk)....anyone?

One of my boys is allergic to milk protein and we switched to Alimentium. It has worked wonders. I was able to have my insurance cover it, and I get the formula shipped directly to me from Apria Healthcare. I called my insurance and they said it was not covered, but I called Apria and they got it covered, at 90% which is what my plan allows. I pay 20 a month for 5 cases of it.

Re: Switching Formula - my baby may be allergic to it....and Question to Ask

Also, don't be surprised if her poop turns a wierd green color for a while. My GI Dr told me that it is normal.

Re: Switching Formula - my baby may be allergic to it....and Question to Ask

Re: Switching Formula - my baby may be allergic to it....and Question to Ask

My GI dr told em that 90% of children with a milk protein allergy grow out of it by the time they are 1, and that of the remaining 10%, half of them outgrow it by 2. So there is a small chance (5%) that your child will not grow out of it.


Right now thier body just cna't tolerate the protein in the milk, and can't digest it properly.

The Alimentium is milk based, they jsut take the milk protein and break it down for them.

Are you using the podwer of the RTF? I have heard that some children have an allergic reaction to the powder and not the RTF, since the powder has a corn product in it. My insurance covered the RTF.

Re: Switching Formula - my baby may be allergic to it....and Question to Ask

Also, are you breast feeding at all? If so you need to cut out all dairy from you diet also.

Re: Switching Formula - my baby may be allergic to it....and Question to Ask

Re: Switching Formula - my baby may be allergic to it....and Question to Ask

Just wanted to add - try to get the formula covered under your insurance. I know quite a few people who did that. Big savings. My son was on Alimentum but for lactose intolerance/digestive issues and I tried but never fully pursued because it was a hassle and never had the time and changed insurance too many times....but i was so stupid for doing so.

wow - all along I always thought the Alimentum wasn't milk based - never knew that it was just a difference in what they do to the proteins.

Message edited 3/27/2006 5:19:36 PM.

Re: Switching Formula - my baby may be allergic to it....and Question to Ask

Definitely try to get it covered. My insurance company actually has a person whose only job is to deal with infant formula!