Please help! Could this be a reaction?

sroddy12

My son has been on Alimentum for months due to projectile vomitting and screaming when trying to use a milk-based formula.  After trying a milk-based formula, we tried soy formula for 3 bottles and he was still crying and throwing up after every feeding.  The doctor okay'd us to change to Alimentum.  We saw a world of a difference right away.  He still spits up (acid reflux) but does not projectile vomit and he is a much happier baby.  However, he has red dots around his mouth about every other day.  There used to be quite a bit of dots, but now it's just one or two red dots and they go away with aquaphor.  The doctor thought this was due to DS drooling from teething which I figured that was probably true.  Also, DS has always wheezed since he was born (we figured this was due to undeveloped lungs--born 9 weeks early).  The wheezing is better but every now and then you hear a whistle when he breaths out and he also sounds congested every morning with huge boogers (sorry TMI) that I have to get out with a q-tip.  My doctor thinks he may be refluxing at night causing milk to get into his nasal cavity.

Last week DS had his 6 month check up and the doctor suggested that we try soy formula again and see if he has out grown the allergy.  My mom gave him soy formula all day long starting at 7 am and he hasn't fussed or had any issues at all.  DH just called me at work and said DS woke up screaming at 11 pm like he may be in pain but we aren't sure because he wakes up screaming every night to eat but usually not till 2-3 am.  My question is, could he be screaming bc the soy is upsetting his belly?  Or would we have already seen a reaction from the soy milk since he had been getting it since 7 am?  All of his symptoms (congestion, raised red dots, wheezing) to me seems like he is allergic to even the alimentum but it is hard because his symptoms can really be due to reflux and drooling.  Do I need a referral to take him to an allergy specialist?  TIA for all your help.

anonsouthernbell

def could be a reaction...w/ ds he would be fine all day and would wake up screaming at night

magdusia

sounds like an allergy.  Vomiting, wheezing, bumps around the mouth and uncomfortable.. all signs of an allergy.

I would switch to a different formula that has absolutely no traces of milk/soy.  Alimentum does. Very little, but for babies that are super sensitive to dairy, they still may have problems with it. Your pedi can prescribe you a formula that is completely free of milk and soy.  You can also try to get it paid for by insurance.

My allergist said that you will see more discomfort in your baby at night because there is nothing to distract him -makes sense.  My son would scratch more at night than during the day.

I would find a good pedi allergist and take your son.  He's over 6 months old and some doctors will do tests on a baby that young. Some will not, so you have to find one that will.  My son had skin and blood tests done at 7 months but i hear some doctors refuse until the child is one.

good luck! allergies suck, but knowing what to avoid is huge.

NiniJ55

magdusia:

sounds like an allergy.  Vomiting, wheezing, bumps around the mouth and uncomfortable.. all signs of an allergy.

I would switch to a different formula that has absolutely no traces of milk/soy.  Alimentum does. Very little, but for babies that are super sensitive to dairy, they still may have problems with it. Your pedi can prescribe you a formula that is completely free of milk and soy.  You can also try to get it paid for by insurance.

My allergist said that you will see more discomfort in your baby at night because there is nothing to distract him -makes sense.  My son would scratch more at night than during the day.

I would find a good pedi allergist and take your son.  He's over 6 months old and some doctors will do tests on a baby that young. Some will not, so you have to find one that will.  My son had skin and blood tests done at 7 months but i hear some doctors refuse until the child is one.

good luck! allergies suck, but knowing what to avoid is huge.

DD still reacts a little on the Alimentum also.  Before Alimentum she had bloody stools, congestion and severe eczema.  The only thing left now is the eczema.  The blood was the first thing to go and then the congestion gradually got better.  Eczema is better - but not 100%.  Sounds like an allergy to me.  DD had allergy skin scratch testing done when she was 4 months old.  We go back at 12 months.  DD scratches way more at night - some times she wakes up with blood on her onsie from scratching so much (it's heartbreaking). 

I would take him to an allergist.  You may need an elemental formula like Neosure or Elecare.  Insurance should cover it.  I would also go back to Alimentum in the meantime until you are on the prescription formula.  At least he seemed to be in less pain with Alimemtum than with soy.