How bad is it to keep switching formulas?

missamelia5

I posted yesterday about DD's constant gas, spit-up, and constipation... all of which have made her incredibly fussy.  She started out being BF, with formula to supplement b/c she was so small but then eventually we had to switch her to all formula.  Her first formula was Similac Neosure for preemies, which made her constipated and caused her to spit-up (pedi had us mixing it with rice cereal).  Pedi then told us to try Similac Sensitive for spit up, which seemed to work well for the first few days but still caused constipation.  Now it's been almost two weeks on the spit-up formula and she's started spitting up almost the entire bottle after she eats and has horrible gas that makes her scream.  This is with the obvious- keeping her upright, burping often, etc.  We tried gripe water and mylicon, neither seems to help much.  She also takes zantac for reflux.

SO... I'm thinking about trying the Similac sensitive formula for gas and fussiness.  I'm worried though that I'll upset her stomach even more if we keep switching formulas.  Anybody have advice or experience with this? 

Scout05

In terms of switching too often, I don't have a lot of advice for you. I know it's not suggested to do so, but if the formula isn't working, it isn't working and you have to make a change.

DD is on Similac Sensitive for gas/fussiness and it is working really well for us. I also give her gripe water if she's consitpated, and that helps w/ gas.  I put it directly in the bottle. 

And remember, it takes about a week for the old formula to be worked out of the system, so don't assume it's not working if you don't see results right away.

missamelia5

When you put gripe water in the bottle, do you just add the dosage and shake it up?  We've been giving it to her in a syringe and she doesn't seem to mind, but it might be better in a bottle...

anangelbug

Have they ruled out Pyloris Stenosis? 

juliane2004

missamelia5:

When you put gripe water in the bottle, do you just add the dosage and shake it up?  We've been giving it to her in a syringe and she doesn't seem to mind, but it might be better in a bottle...

Personally, we gave it separately, cause my kids never ate the whole bottle, so they wouldn't get the whole dose.

Scout05

juliane2004:

missamelia5:

When you put gripe water in the bottle, do you just add the dosage and shake it up?  We've been giving it to her in a syringe and she doesn't seem to mind, but it might be better in a bottle...

Personally, we gave it separately, cause my kids never ate the whole bottle, so they wouldn't get the whole dose.

Yeah, I never have any problem w/ DD finishing a bottle, lol. She's an eater (probably why she's in 6-9 month clothes already)

And yes, I just put the full dose in her bottle. It really does make a difference for her - the gas drops did nothing, however.

missamelia5

anangelbug:

Have they ruled out Pyloris Stenosis? 

I've never heard of it, and her doctor has never mentioned it... I'm making an appointment in the morning to go see about all this, so I'll ask then.  I'll research today, but can you give me an idea of what it is?

Sharon21

I asked my pedi about switching formula because we use Similac but we get tons of coupons for Good Start. She said it was fine if we switched but to stick with what we switched to and not to keep switching because it could give her tummy problems.

That said it sounds like you have given this formula enough time and it's not working so since it isn't working I think that you probably should switch. Though I would ask my pedi first since it seems like your LO has been having lots of difficulty. Good luck I hope you find one that works better!

peacelvr74

I had this as a baby-the tube in the stomach closes and surgery is required. As my family has a very strong history of this illness, we are looking out for this with our son. Usually, the vomiting is projectile and you may notice dehydration (fewer diapers, hard stools). I have not heard that fussiness and gas are a symptom of it, but I'm not sure. Let us know what the doc says. Good luck!

 

mpalmer12

My daughter is 7weeks and we have been switching quite a bit. we started out BF and she constantly spit up every time we tried to burp her, pedi told me to not eat any dairy for a little while to see if it helped and it didnt seem to help eaither. So we tried her on similac soy formula and that wasnt helping it made her constipated as well so then we tried the similac sensitive for spit up and that wasnt helping eaither ans she also seemed constipated . We just started her on some of the similac sensitive for gas and fussiness yesterday and so far we havent noticed a big difference but shes also been BF some too. And while shes still gaining weight she spit up all the time and also had some pretty bad gas. everyone keeps telling me its okay if shes gaining weight but shes always hungry and screams when her bottle is taken away to burp her.

Lindsey312

Our Pedi made a great point when I asked her about switching formulas.  She said it's fine-- just like breast milk is different everyday, switching the formulas shouldn't do any damage.