Formula issues

bearfootz

Our twins are preemies and were put on Enfacare in the NICU.  The dr's said they'd probably be on this for six months to a year.  Well the past couple of weeks they have both had terrible gas, constipation, fussiness, and just seem to be having stomach pains.  I'm not really sure if this is colic or if it's from the formula so I asked the dr. if we could look at trying another formula.  He seemed very hesitant to give up all of the added nutrients and calories from the Enfacare..but I pointed out they aren't getting much benefit from the calories if they stay up screaming all night.   He had some samples of Similac Sensitive RS and suggested we try that for a week and see if it helps and then we can decide if we want to switch over.  Of course I forgot the samples at the office.  I've read some reviews that say this formula clogs easily b/c of the rice starch and am wondering if I would be better off trying the Enfamil Gentlease. ( I think the dr. just gave me the similac b/c that's what he had samples of).

If the formula is the issue, I'm wondering how horrible it would be to switch off the Enfacare and loose all of those extra nutrients, etc.  Anyone else been in this situation that can offer some insight..or say how long their preemies were on the Enfacare? Thanks.

lisa&andy

The only time we used Enfacare was near the end of DS's stay in NICU and that was only because I couldn't get up there to take him BM. When he came home, he went on Similac Sensitive with his sister, DD was never on Enfacare. I was never told to keep them on it now that we are supplementing and we were just switched to Similac Sensitive RS for reflux yesterday. We use Avent bottles and they make a variable flow nipple for thicker liquids so we bought the store out of them. I'm not any help about losing the extra nutrients, but like I said, we were never told to stick them on Enfacare. They shouldn't be in pain when they are eating and if its the formula causing it I would switch to something else. Did the doctor say anything about adding vitamins to the new formula to get more nutrients?

jayt&sandy

I sure do understand your concern. I have B/G twins that were in the NICU for 5 weeks and the whole time they were either fortifying BM with Enfacare and we have had to start doing half BM, half Enfacare bottles now. My babies scream for all the gas and tummy aches. When I asked if I could switch, I got a big fat NO. Honestly, I am thinking about switching anyways. I hate that they seem so miserable and uncomfortable. GL to you and let me know if you find something else that works just as well.