help please with switch from breast to Neocate!

sweetMay119

My daughter is now 12 weeks old. I started on a total dairy/soy free diet 7 weeks ago, which eventually led to a total elimination diet. She is still having very bloody stools that seem to be worsening. I think she is just one of those babies that will react to any foreign protein. I am devastated to give up breastfeeding, but I think it is my only option at this point. For those with similar experiences, did you switch cold turkey or gradually wean? I am not sure where to start. Also, how do you handle them rooting and wanting to nurse for comfort and not allowing it. Ugh, I'm so upset. TIA!

TaraBeth384

This sounds so similar to our experience!  I tried what felt like everything and finally gave in to Neocate.  We switched gradually... bottles were 3 ounces BM with 1 ounce Neocate, and gradually went up.  We tried cold turkey and she wouldn't drink more than an ounce.  However, with the transition she did great.

Also, we saw positive changes within 24 hours.  it was amazing and made me feel much better about having to give up BF.

Good luck!

kris_kelsey

we switched to alimentum and now to neocate so this is what we did...

i was on a dairy/soy/gluten free diet for a couple weeks without improvement.  For about 3 days I tried a total elimination of dairy/soy/egg/nuts/gluten/fruit/honey/rice/oats and that was terrible and no improvement.  Actually was getting worse.  So i tried gradually switching her over with 1oz formula 3 oz breastmilk and did that for 2 days but she was getting fussier so I switched her cold turkey.  Initially she took a bit less of the formula, but she was much happier when the breastmilk/allergens were gone.  So cold turkey was better for us.

When I switched her to Neocate, I again switched her cold turkey.  She took about 0.5-1oz less per feeding that usual for a day or so but then was back to her normal intake. 

kris_kelsey

about the nursing...

I was already EPing so I don't have experience there.  I would probably let her comfort nurse if she really insists on it, but don't offer.  I was an emotional mess while I weaned down my supply, but once it was gone I was much better.  The longer I pumped and faced the whole "breastfeeding issue" after she was already on formula, the more trouble I had.  I know this sounds harsh, but the quicker you can get the milk to go away the better so you can just MOVE ON!

Imanurse03

I EP'd since DS was born early and just never got the nursing thing.  So I can't comment on the nursing and rooting aspect. That has to be difficult.  

My DS got strictly BM for over 4 months when he was diagnosed with milk and soy allergies.  I first cut out dairy and we saw no improvement.  DS ended up losing weight and he was a peanut to begin with, so it was not good.  It was actually awful.  We were referrred to pedi GI and he recommended that it was best for both DS and me for DS to be on Elecare (same thing as Neocate but made by Abbott). 

I was devastated that I could no longer give him what everyone knows is best for babies.  I felt like I had failed him.  The pedi GI and the pedi said to switch cold turkey.  No more BM for him.  The more quickly the allergens get out of their system, the faster the symptoms will improve.

BTW, it took about 3 or so weeks to see an improvement in DS's symptoms.  He's now gaining weight, enjoying eating, and eating like a champ.  It makes me feel so much better knowing that he's doing well on the formula.  I hated to give up pumping.  Good luck!