Powdered vs Premixed Formula

lulugirl

Evelyn was on the premixed Similac (the little bottles) in the hospital and we have the same formula just in the powdered form at home.

In the hospital Evelyn was sleeping 2-3 hours at a stretch, waking (or being woken) to eat and then would go back to sleep. Last night she was up every 30 minutes screaming.

She was pretty gassy and I wonder if her little body just handles the premixed formula better (no bubbles for instance). Her brother (in the NICU) can only tolerate breastmilk at this point so I wonder since she is premature if her little tummy is just not handling the powder well.

Not sure - thoughts? I thought I would pick up the premixed today and give it a shot.

Temp6313048411121614

Can't really give any good input, our boys seem to do well with either (but they only get maybe 1-2 formula bottles per day).  I know MIL was telling me months ago that when DH and SIL were babies, they would mix a day's worth of formula and keep it in a pitcher, maybe that would help since the bubbles caused from mixing it would settle before they'd need it (haven't tried it, don't even know if it's recommended to premix that far in advance).  GL.

kiki408

This was our experience, too. I ended up switching them back to pre-mixed after trying the powder for a few days, but they both got extremely constipated, which was really strange. I think it may have been because I could find Enfamil in the pre-mixed, but not the specific type that they had in the NICU. They're now back on the powder formula, and they're doing well. I just had to give it give it a few days.

I say give the pre-mixed a shot as long as you can find the exact brand & type she was given in the NICU.

m_n_mwedding

It might be the gas bubbles from the mixing of the formula. Try putting a few drops in the bottle after you make it. You can see that it takes the bubbles off the top of the bottle. It won't hurt to add those so it's worth a try.

kaiteedidit

I'd try putting a few drops of the gas drops in the bottle after you shake it up. It takes the bubbles out.

lgurian

get the Dr. Browns formula pitcher. it makes 40 oz at a time (which lasts us a day and they get half BM/half F). this saves a lot of time and lets the bubbles settle. formula can be pre-made and be in the fridge for 24 hours. 

RobynK

We were advised to use premised until their due date.  They will possibly have a gassy problem when you switch to powder too...

I say go back to premixed until their EDD -- then switch to powder and you may also need to use Gripe Water to help with gas.

atc282

Eden had a gassy tummy when I fed her that same formula ( I used the Similac premixed too til my milk was enough). My pedi said to put a half dropper of Mylicon in the bottle. It helped her! He also said to try Enfamil Gentle Ease. It has partially broken down proteins that make it easier for baby to digest if she's gassy.

Another thing I did was give my expressed milk more to Eden than Georgia at first until my supply wasn't an issue. I did this b/c G took the formula without any issues where as E was gassy. Once my milk was abundant, I was able to stop the Similac all together and give both the same amt. of BM.

**To answer from your other post re/ nipples--can you ask your hospital to give you the ones they used in the hospital? Similac makes them (at least the ones I used for the premixed mini vials they gave me)--they are one time use nipples, but I was thankful for my stash!! Both girls did very well on them.

If the hosptial won't answer your feeding Qs, can you call their pediatrician?? I called the lactation lady from our hosptial re/ how much they should be eating, etc. for the first couple of wks.

HTH