Colic... Should I try formula?

omgladypirate

I have had it. My LO is 3 mos and still cries all day everyday. She's EBF and on Zantac. Bottles are hit or miss. Some days she'll take it, other days she won't. Even nursing is still a challenge. I'm thinking of just trying formula to see how she likes it and if it makes any difference in her behavior. Has anyone tried formula for a colicky baby, and if so, did it make any difference? At this point I'm wondering if she just flat out doesn't like my milk and/or it doesn't agree with her. I know this goes against everything everybody tells you about the supposed magical powers of breastmilk, but I just don't know how much longer I can take the crying/refusing to eat/refusing to nap. No judgement please. Anyone seen an improvement in their baby after switching to, trying, or occasionally supplementing with formula?

Edit: I have tried no dairy. I have tried probiotics. I have tried gripe water. I have tried digestive enzymes for me and lactase drops for her. I have not tried an elimination diet (yet) because she does not seem to have any gastrointestinal issues, as far as I can tell, but I am open to that if anyone has anything to add about having had success with it.

chein1

I've been formula from the start, so I have no advice other than to go with your gut! Your sanity is just as important.

cbolton19

I agree with pp. I ebf, but cut out dairy almost from the start. I am slowly re-introducing it. I'm not entirely sure how colic works, but definitely go with your gut. If you do try formula, I would keep pumping so you can go back to breastfeeding of you want to. Also maybe try mixing bottles with formula and breastmilk? She may just need to grow out of the colicky phase. In sorry, momma! Hang in there. I hope you find a solution.

LaurenBee24

Colic has nothing to do with what you feed them. That said the reflux will almost surely get worse on formula. Much much much worse. If you don't want to breast feed then quit. No judgement here. It's hard. Please don't do an elimination diet without the direction of your child's doctor... Nite being exposed makes it MORE likely that they will be allergic as adults. I'm on a strict elimination diet at the request of my child's specialist, but it's dangerous when not clearly medically needed.

LULULEM0N

Have you tried a different reflux med? My first did not respond at all to Zantac.  Only when he was big enough for the tablet Prevacid did we see a difference.  We had to dissolve in water and give to him.  I'm sorry that it's so hard.  We went through the same thing with first.  By 4 months he was over it and finally manageable.  Have you tried Happiest Baby on the Block?  That was a life saver for us, too.  It doesn't help you now, but some day this will all be a distant memory. There were some very dark days for us. Hang in there.

shannons913

I breastfed and supplemented for 1 1/2 months and lo had reflux as well. He was always fussy I cut out dairy etc tried everything he was always gassy so we did gripe water gas drops etc. he kept waking up every hour to 2 hours and one day I just started using formula bc of all the stress and also lo was in the hospital for 3 days for a uti. lo seriously stopped with the crying and spitting up. I'm not sure if it was the thicker formula but ever since he's now 3 months he's been the happiest baby! So I'm not saying yes go for it but it's worth a shot to see if anything changes. Maybe still pump and freeze your milk so that you can always go back if need be.

shannons913

Also we did half breast and half formula to transition lo than went fully formula

Lolo427

Hello! Lurker from N15 although my daughter's birthdate ended up being 10/29. I am so so sorry, colic is outrageously hard DD had it literally up until maybe 6 days ago? If she was awake- she was screaming and screaming. We think this was exasperated by GERD which led us to Zantac. So I EP due to her not latching 2 months on (the doctor thinks that even this could be GERD related) and when they mentioned the possibility of me giving up soy,eggs, dairy I about lost it. I'm already doing several things to make sure she's getting breastmilk but at that point I was going to through in the towel. They had us do Nutramigen for 48 hours and she did improve some- we then did nothing but breastmilk and she was still okay- we're thinking from the Zantac. At this point what we're doing (also with the factor that I'm having a tough time of keeping up with supply) 7 am-7pm breastmilk and then 7pm-7am Nutramigen. If anything she's still getting milk protein from me but none on the overnight 12 hour stretch. We also increased the med dose and now, finally have a happy baby. Just my experience, best of luck!

LaurenNewph

I'm no doctor but I'm fairly sure formula will not make the colic worse... In fact they have special formulas for babies with colic, they even have bottles that help with it. If she has allergies, then they have hypoallergenic formulas! You need to do what is best for you and your baby!

Rachel*Neocate

I'm not sure if switching to formula will help?  I will tell you that my DS3 has a milk and soy protein intolerance and nursing him turned into a nightmare when he was around 6-7 weeks old, he would almost refuse to eat, screaming at the breast, turning his head away... he also had colic behavior, screaming for hours especially in the evenings.  For us, his colic, and feeding refusal was his milk intolerance.  He also had GI upset though (gas, green stools), which you said your LO is not experiencing? 

IMO it wouldn't hurt to try an elimination diet.  You said you removed dairy?  How long and and were you strict?  The only way to know is to completely eliminate it from your diet, obvious dairy like milk, cheese, yogurt, AND hidden dairy like casein, whey, etc found in crackers, bread, prepackaged foods, even spices.   Your LO can still react to these hidden proteins.  Its a tough task, but I promise it gets easier when you get the hang of it. 

If switching to formula, have you thought about which one you might try?

https://www.refluxrebels.com/colic/

https://www.refluxrebels.com/acid-reflux-signs-and-symptoms-in-infants/

https://www.neocate.com/blog/its-not-just-colic/

https://kellymom.com/health/baby-health/food-sensitivity/ 

BHern87

I know it sounds weird but I've had really good luck going through a chiropractor who is treating both me and DD at the same time. A lot of her digestive issues are clearing up and she's been sleeping better and much happier overall.