I don't know what to do. UPDATE.....

So, I finally made the decision to put Ava on formula. I spoke to my ped. and he recommended that I try her on cows-milk based formula even though I found with my BM she is very sensitive to dairy. I don't know if I should try it or justgo with my gut and try a soy formula. Any suggestions?

Message edited 7/28/2006 12:28:55 PM.

Re: I don't know what to do.

Unfortunately the only way to know if you are allergic to something is to give it a go...I say give a cows milk formula a go, and if she reacts badly, at least you know that is the case.

Re: I don't know what to do.

Yea, that is what I was going to do, then my mother made me feel like a monster for wanting to do that

Re: I don't know what to do.

Posted by racheeeee

Unfortunately the only way to know if you are allergic to something is to give it a go...I say give a cows milk formula a go, and if she reacts badly, at least you know that is the case.

Re: I don't know what to do.

Posted by MABLE03

Posted by racheeeee

Unfortunately the only way to know if you are allergic to something is to give it a go...I say give a cows milk formula a go, and if she reacts badly, at least you know that is the case.

I agree... you need to know and its better to just get it over with so you know for later on.

Re: I don't know what to do.

we used the milk based the hospital sent us home with and her gas was TERRIBLE....we took it upon ourselves to put her on Soy Formula. IT got better from there.....

Re: I don't know what to do.

OK, I think i'm just going to take the plunge and try the cow's-milk formula. I already have a ton of free samples of it, so I might as well, and her belly is a mess today ANYWAY and she only had BM today. Go figure. I mean, the worst that happens is she is exactly the same as she is today, only a little wheezier.

Re: I don't know what to do.

i have no advice whatsoever, but had to say that i love your avatar...too cute

Re: I don't know what to do.

Posted by racheeeee

Unfortunately the only way to know if you are allergic to something is to give it a go...I say give a cows milk formula a go, and if she reacts badly, at least you know that is the case.

Re: I don't know what to do.

rach, how did she do?

Re: I don't know what to do.

Start with the cows milk formula - if she is going to have a problem with it you will know within 24-36 hours - trust me. You wont have to wait and wonder -you will be able to tell right away. If she is, go to soy. Be careful with soy because it can constipate the babies - that was the problem we had.

Re: I don't know what to do.

I would also use the powder rather than the ready-to-feed. I think the consistency is closer to breast milk, and I think she will take it easier.

Re: I don't know what to do.

What about trying gentlease? Its cows milk but is somewhat digested I believe and is a lot easier on babie's tummy. Miranda has done great on it and we had tried everything under the sun.

Re: I don't know what to do.

Gentlease or GoodStart. My daughter was in pain from Enfamil with such gas, switched to Good Start and has been great ever since.

Re: I don't know what to do.

Madeline was wheezy - they said it was reflux. I knew something was not right- I suspected a milk allergy. We finally took her to a GI specialist and he said he thought it was a milk allergy
( along with reflux). He put us on Nutramigen.It was like a different baby. Trust your instincts. You might want to try that if she is still wheezing.
I felt so incredibly guilty for stopping the BM, but she was so much better off with the formula.
I hope she - and you - feel better.

Re: I don't know what to do.

How did Ava do last night Rach?

Re: I don't know what to do.

I would start with the milk base and go from there, if it is a milk allergy soy might not help, because as per my GI, 50% of kids allergic to milk have a soy allergy too.

I would really suggest seeing a specialist regarding this, since they are more in tune to these issues versus a pediatrician.

Re: I don't know what to do.

Rach, How did Ava do with the formula?

Re: I don't know what to do.

Our ped said the same thing, but I went with my gut and used soy formula instead, and she did really well on it...

Re: I don't know what to do.

I would probably start with the soy just to be on the safe side...

Or what about the Gentle Ease or Good Start? Both have the "comfort protiens" and they made a big difference with Emily.

Re: I don't know what to do.

Hey everyone...

We did not give Ava any formula last night because she was so miserable with her reflux and what not that I didn't want to start something new. I was afraid I wouldn't be able to know the effect of the formula because her refulx was so bad. She was up ALL night. I felt so bad for her. She finally went down at 8:40 this morning and is still sleeping, so when she wakes up, I'm going to try the similac. I opened one of those single serving packets that I had, so this way if she doesn't react well to it, I can just give away the cans I have of it. I added a little over an ounce of the formula to some BM, so we'll see how that goes.
Thanks so much for all the advice. I'm going to try this formula, then the soy and if that doesn't work, I'm going straight to a specialist. I'm not going to play around with what is going into her body, she already is suffering enough from her reflux and what not.
Thanks so much again

Re: I don't know what to do.

Our ped had us trying about 6 or 7 different formulas, nothing worked for us. At one point he even had us on Neocate which is $40 for a 12oz can of powder!!!! We ended up picking the one that was best for her - even though it wasn't great - and that was Similac Alimentum...$24 for a 12oz can. I hope you guys find something that works for you sooner than later.

Re: I don't know what to do. UPDATE.....

UPDATE:

Ok, so I gave Ava about an ounce and a half of the similac with cow's milk mixed in with the BM, and she seems fine No wheezing or anything. Usually when I would eat dairy, she would wheeze right away after her bottle. It's been about an hour and nothing So go figure.

Re: I don't know what to do. UPDATE.....

Posted by prncssrachel

UPDATE:

Ok, so I gave Ava about an ounce and a half of the similac with cow's milk mixed in with the BM, and she seems fine No wheezing or anything. Usually when I would eat dairy, she would wheeze right away after her bottle. It's been about an hour and nothing So go figure.

Re: I don't know what to do. UPDATE.....

Posted by Moehick

Posted by prncssrachel

UPDATE:

Ok, so I gave Ava about an ounce and a half of the similac with cow's milk mixed in with the BM, and she seems fine No wheezing or anything. Usually when I would eat dairy, she would wheeze right away after her bottle. It's been about an hour and nothing So go figure.

Looks like she is doing well on it