Switching from Alimentum or Nutramigen?

Amyylyn

I am popping over from 3-6 with a question!   LO has been on Alimentum since 5 weeks old for a protein sensitivity.  NOT an allergy.  Regular formula just made him SUPER gassy and fussy.  At our 6 mos appt in 3 weeks I want to talk to the doctor about switching to regular.  It is just getting crazy expensive now that he is drinking two and half cans a week and he was never diagnosed with an allergy and he is old enough now that his digestive system should be more developed.

So my question is do any of you have LO's that were on either of those formulas and you successfully switched to regular around this time frame?  Did you wean them?  Like half and half first?

Thanks!!  

BC&MM

Can you explain what you mean about the protein sensitivity and not allergy. Because the fussy, gas, etc is a symptom of an allergy for that.

My son has been on that and is a dream now. He is going through a can every 2 days, but he is thriving and doing well. His pedi and GI wants to wait till 9 months and I agree. Not all the time is it a digestive problem.

MNgirl326

My LO was tested for allergies and didn't end up having one, however all formulas except alimentum made him very sick.  Dr said, he probably had a milk sensitivity but not quite an allergy.

We had to delay yogurt and cheese until he was closer to 9 months before we could try those things. Also we tried to go back to regular formula around Easter and it was a complete disaster.   So, he is still on alimentum.  We have started transitioning to whole milk and he seems to be doing okay on that.  However, he still has quite a bit of formula per day.

Yes, it is expensive, about 50 a week, and we have had to make a lot of sacrifices to be able to pay for it.  But honestly, it has been worth every penny for him to be on it this long.  He has growing, healthy and happy.   This is after in January he had Failure to Thrive and only gained 1 oz in a month.   

OP you can certainly try and go back to regular formula, but your LO just may not be ready for it.  When we tried, we tried mixing a little bit into a bottle of hypoallergenic formula,  he basically threw up the whole thing almost immediately.   Which is why we decided to stay on the hypoallergenic for a while longer.

Amyylyn

He had NO signs of an allergy except being extra gassy/fussy.  We found out after we switched he actually has BAD reflux which is now under control with meds and so honestly I truly believe A LOT of the fussiness was in regards to the reflux but we mis-diagnosed it as being related to his tummy because we didn't KNOW he had reflux.  He was never actually throwing up the formula or had the mucousy stool or any of that stuff.  When I talked to the doctor at 4 mos she said she wasn't comfortable with it yet but we could TRY it at 6 mos and see what happened.  She said we would know pretty quickly if he couldn't tolerate the new stuff.

 

KaramelSutra

your LO is thriving on the hypoallergenic stuff, yes?

you are upset because it's costing you money, yes? 

Go ahead and try him on the other stuff. and when he's a cranky upset, uncomfortable baby, you have no one to blame but yourself. but your wallet will be happy. 

 

MNgirl326

Amyylyn:

He had NO signs of an allergy except being extra gassy/fussy.  We found out after we switched he actually has BAD reflux which is now under control with meds and so honestly I truly believe A LOT of the fussiness was in regards to the reflux but we mis-diagnosed it as being related to his tummy because we didn't KNOW he had reflux.  He was never actually throwing up the formula or had the mucousy stool or any of that stuff.  When I talked to the doctor at 4 mos she said she wasn't comfortable with it yet but we could TRY it at 6 mos and see what happened.  She said we would know pretty quickly if he couldn't tolerate the new stuff.

 

LO had bad reflux too,  he was on meds and was very gassy and fussy.  We put him on the alimentum and his reflux stopped, almost immediately.  He hasn't been on meds in months. 

LO never had mucousy stools and although he would spit up, he didn't throw up formula until we tried to reintroduce regular formula.

Good luck in whatever route you decide to go.  Hopefully, you can get him off it quickly, b/c I know it is expensive.   Just know, he may not quite be ready and you have to wait a little while longer.   

Good luck! 

Amyylyn

abartow:

Amyylyn:

He had NO signs of an allergy except being extra gassy/fussy.  We found out after we switched he actually has BAD reflux which is now under control with meds and so honestly I truly believe A LOT of the fussiness was in regards to the reflux but we mis-diagnosed it as being related to his tummy because we didn't KNOW he had reflux.  He was never actually throwing up the formula or had the mucousy stool or any of that stuff.  When I talked to the doctor at 4 mos she said she wasn't comfortable with it yet but we could TRY it at 6 mos and see what happened.  She said we would know pretty quickly if he couldn't tolerate the new stuff.

 

LO had bad reflux too,  he was on meds and was very gassy and fussy.  We put him on the alimentum and his reflux stopped, almost immediately.  He hasn't been on meds in months. 

LO never had mucousy stools and although he would spit up, he didn't throw up formula until we tried to reintroduce regular formula.

Good luck in whatever route you decide to go.  Hopefully, you can get him off it quickly, b/c I know it is expensive.   Just know, he may not quite be ready and you have to wait a little while longer.   

Good luck! 

Oh I wish the formula would of made his reflux better, you are lucky!  It actually made his worse because it is thinner than regular formula.  We have been adding cereal to his bottles (per his GI doctor) since he was 7 weeks old and just this week had to have his reflux meds increased AGAIN.  I am fully prepared that there is a good chance he won't tolerate the regular stuff and then we will go back to the Alimentum for awhile longer.  The doctor said we would know within a day or two at the most if it isn't going to work.  Thanks for your experience, that is what I was looking for.

BC&MM

Amyylyn:

abartow:

Amyylyn:

He had NO signs of an allergy except being extra gassy/fussy.  We found out after we switched he actually has BAD reflux which is now under control with meds and so honestly I truly believe A LOT of the fussiness was in regards to the reflux but we mis-diagnosed it as being related to his tummy because we didn't KNOW he had reflux.  He was never actually throwing up the formula or had the mucousy stool or any of that stuff.  When I talked to the doctor at 4 mos she said she wasn't comfortable with it yet but we could TRY it at 6 mos and see what happened.  She said we would know pretty quickly if he couldn't tolerate the new stuff.

 

LO had bad reflux too,  he was on meds and was very gassy and fussy.  We put him on the alimentum and his reflux stopped, almost immediately.  He hasn't been on meds in months. 

LO never had mucousy stools and although he would spit up, he didn't throw up formula until we tried to reintroduce regular formula.

Good luck in whatever route you decide to go.  Hopefully, you can get him off it quickly, b/c I know it is expensive.   Just know, he may not quite be ready and you have to wait a little while longer.   

Good luck! 

Oh I wish the formula would of made his reflux better, you are lucky!  It actually made his worse because it is thinner than regular formula.  We have been adding cereal to his bottles (per his GI doctor) since he was 7 weeks old and just this week had to have his reflux meds increased AGAIN.  I am fully prepared that there is a good chance he won't tolerate the regular stuff and then we will go back to the Alimentum for awhile longer.  The doctor said we would know within a day or two at the most if it isn't going to work.  Thanks for your experience, that is what I was looking for.

My DS has bad reflux and milk allergy. As he grew the dose of reflux medication has to be increased. Our drs plan to try to reduce reflux medication AFTER we see if he can handle milk protein around 9  months. I understand it is explensive. My son had torticollis (needed  PT for 3 month) and has acid reflux which is $40 a month and he was a HUGE formula drinker until we started solids and was drinking 42-45 oz a day. I was spending almost 400-500 on formula a month. I understand the cost of it all, but the difference between then and now is so big, I am only willing to change when the dr and I are on the same page.

 

abs05

We are very lucky in that we did get insuarance to cover 80% of the cost of Alimentum.  It IS crazy expensive.  Even if they didn't though there is NO way I would want to switch right now.  I am petrified of having to wean from it period--I have a much happier baby now that the mspi and reflux are under control.

Good luck if you decide to try though!

insertclevername

LO was never officially diagnosed with milk or soy protein allergies, however all of the signs and symptoms were present.  Inconsolable screaming, arching off the bottle, bad reflux, spit up, mucousy stool, extreme gas, eczema.  LO started Prevacid solutabs.  He was supplemented with Alimentum and for the past month has solely been on Alimentum.  We also have to give him gas drops after every feeding.  Believe me, I know how expensive it can be.  I work really hard to trade for formula checks and coupons and look for sales and deals on the Alimentum.  I haven't paid full price for a can yet. 

I am surprised your pediatrician is recommending a trial switch as young as 6 months.   My pediatrician won't even consider tapering his meds until 9 months and does not recommend introducing dairy until 1 year.   I know that your pediatrician is saying that you will know in a few days whether or not the switch was successful, but be prepared for a week or so of discomfort and irritability if it is not.  Typically once the proteins are introduced to an intolerant or allergic baby it takes a week or two for them to fully exit the system.

LadyExtravaganza

~BINI~:

your LO is thriving on the hypoallergenic stuff, yes?

you are upset because it's costing you money, yes? 

Go ahead and try him on the other stuff. and when he's a cranky upset, uncomfortable baby, you have no one to blame but yourself. but your wallet will be happy. 

Not to be harsh to OP, but ITA with BINI.

If your child is happy and thriving, cut your budget elsewhere if you can. Before DS's EleCare was covered by our insurance co, we were paying $200 a WEEK, for months, so I know it can be a lot but isn't it worth it to have a heatlhy child?

Also a protein sensitivity means your LO can not tolerate proteins in milk well, and usually that does not go away by 6 months. You should follow your pedi's instructions as to when to switch.

wife1014

NY Mama:

LO was never officially diagnosed with milk or soy protein allergies, however all of the signs and symptoms were present.  Inconsolable screaming, arching off the bottle, bad reflux, spit up, mucousy stool, extreme gas, eczema.  LO started Prevacid solutabs.  He was supplemented with Alimentum and for the past month has solely been on Alimentum.  We also have to give him gas drops after every feeding.  Believe me, I know how expensive it can be.  I work really hard to trade for formula checks and coupons and look for sales and deals on the Alimentum.  I haven't paid full price for a can yet. 

I am surprised your pediatrician is recommending a trial switch as young as 6 months.   My pediatrician won't even consider tapering his meds until 9 months and does not recommend introducing dairy until 1 year.   I know that your pediatrician is saying that you will know in a few days whether or not the switch was successful, but be prepared for a week or so of discomfort and irritability if it is not.  Typically once the proteins are introduced to an intolerant or allergic baby it takes a week or two for them to fully exit the system.

I could've written these exact words.