Neocate for allergic colitis?

PepVeroni

My 7 week old was recently diagnosed with allergic colitis based on results from a stool sample test, and we were so relieved to finally know what was wrong.  He's been fussy from day one but got a lot worse around one month and literally cries constantly when he's awake - doesn't matter if he just woke up, just finished eating, etc.  It is heartbreaking and each day is such a chore to get through.

We're switching him from breastfeeding to neocate formula, and he's been on it for two days now.  I am waiting for a call back from the GI doctor (I have about 20 questions for her about all of this), and in the meantime, the receptionist told me it could take 8 weeks for the intestines to completely heal.  

Have anyone's baby been put on neocate, and if so, how long until you saw improvement in symptoms?  I am now terrified of 8 more weeks of his constant crying and discomfort... I literally don't know how we would get through it, especially with my husband returning to work next week, and I am trying to pump to keep up my supply as well.  I also read that typically things start to improve by 2 weeks, so I'm hoping this is more the timeline for us.   

FutureGoldberg

My daughter has been on Neocate for about a week and a half now and she is already like a new baby.  She is so much happier!

PepVeroni

Thanks for the advice.  I didn't mention that I have been avoiding dairy products since early December and that hasn't seemed to help at all, and as of a week ago I started the total elimination diet, so I'm just eating turkey, rice, sweet potatoes, squash, and pears.  I know this can take a while to work as well, but so far no luck.

faith194

We are using Elecare, but I believe it is the same type of formula(prescription based, right? amino acids?).  DS only had blood in his stool and some crabbiness. I elimated all dairy(hidden, too)  for a month(prior to starting Elecare). We were also supplementing with Nutramigen. After that month, his diapers never cleared.

 

We were sent to a pediatric gastro doctor, and she prescribed him Elecare. I am only eliminating soy, milk products(not the hidden dairy) and nuts. His diapers cleared up within 24 hours. He is exclusively on Elecare for two weeks, while I pump and freeze. After the two weeks are up, we will discuss adding breast milk back in.

 

Good luck! Allergies are soo tough to figure out:(

PepVeroni

AmyG*:

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I'll ask has baby been evaluated by the GI dr for reflux or other issues?

And if the neocate doesnt help, consider if it is something unrelated to food?

 

 Yup, I am still pumping to maintain supply.  

The first GI doc we saw diagnosed reflux and we've had him on Zantac for a few weeks now with no improvement.  I don't think he has bad reflux anyway - he rarely spits up and doesn't arch his back or gag much.  But he's still on the Zantac just in case.

We'll definitely consider other things if the neocate doesn't help - the second GI doc we saw was pretty certain that's it's allergic colitis though.. all 4 of her kids had it as well. 

PepVeroni

AmyG*:

.

I'll ask has baby been evaluated by the GI dr for reflux or other issues?

And if the neocate doesnt help, consider if it is something unrelated to food?

 

 Yup, I am still pumping to maintain supply.  

The first GI doc we saw diagnosed reflux and we've had him on Zantac for a few weeks now with no improvement.  I don't think he has bad reflux anyway - he rarely spits up and doesn't arch his back or gag much.  But he's still on the Zantac just in case.

We'll definitely consider other things if the neocate doesn't help - the second GI doc we saw was pretty certain that's it's allergic colitis though.. all 4 of her kids had it as well. 

ajanes

My DS has Multiple Food Protein Intolerance.  He can't process the proteins in certain foods (milk, soy, wheat).  He is a little different though.  He also has severe reflux.  He wasn't dx with MFPI until 14 months.  He actually tolerated BM and milk-based formula until 9 months.  Then when we started adding solids, he progressed from bad to worse.  We started with Alimentum, but it had too much casein in it.  He was on Neocate from 14-20 months old. We took him off all solid food at 14 months and he was strictly on formula.  We started a re-introduction diet.  It took several weeks for him to improve completely, but he was significantly better within 24 hours. We are looking at an additional/supplementary dx of FPIES (food protein induced entercolitis syndrome).

Rachel*Neocate

I actually work for Neocate BUT I also have a 5 month old who has MSPI and I'm breastfeeding him on an elimination diet.  He had green mucousy blood streaked stool (allergic colitis) starting around 7 wks.  I started eliminating dairy first and only saw a mild improvement, it wasn't until I went on a total elmination diet until he started to improve.  I am still currently dairy/soy/egg/nut free and his diapers have finally gone back to the normal BF diapers.  I must say that it did take a fairly long time to see a difference. It takes time (like the receptionist said) for their GI tract to heal.  I would suggest if you do want to still BF, stay on your elimination diet until your LO improves and then start adding foods back in slowly watching for reactions.  I think you mentioned that you didn't eliminate hidden dairy at first?  That could be why you weren't seeing the improvement you hoped for?  Also, half the babies who have problems with milk proteins have problems with soy too.

Let me know if you have any questions about Neocate, but basically it's an amino-acid based formula with the proteins completely broken down making it the easiest formula for babies with allergies to digest. 

I hope your LO starts feeling better soon!