Reflux (switching formulas)

mrs.ritz

My DS has been on similac alimentum since 2 weeks old for reflux, he is also takes Zantac.   My question is has anyone switched from similac alimentum to a gerber or enfamil formula similar to the alimentum?  If so did it work for or not work for your baby?  

TIA,

megan  

Meery82

We switched from Alimentum about 2 months ago to Enfamil Gentlease. I had originally put him on the Alimentum for painful gas, but he had reflux also, which he took Prevacid for. The switch went great. About a month ago, I tapered him off his Prevacid since I never seemed to notice any more reflux issues. That went well also. My guess is he just ended up growing out of his problems. 

unaveragejane

From my understanding, Alimentum is more meant for allergies than reflux. We tried it to rule out allergies (before our reflux diagnosis), but DS hated it. We have found that Similac Sensitive for Spit-Up seems to work the best to help DS with the reflux and spitting. He still spits like a pro, but it is less often. The Similac is less lumpy than Enfamil (yay!) but tends to be bubbly when you mix it (boo!). I mix it in a reusable water bottle, then pour it into the baby bottles so that most of the foam from mixing stays in the water bottle. I have noticed that DS seemed a little constipated when we first started this formula, possibly b/c of the added rice starch. It took a few days and lots of gas drops, but he got used to it and does well with it now.

kblack9

I have one on Similac Alimentum for allergies and the other was on Similac spit-up for reflux. I really thought it was helping with her reflux but it was not and we were referred to a pediatric gi. The gi told us that DD needed to be on zantac and to add rice cereal to her bottle. However when we added the rice we had to switch her to a regular formula. 

I have to say that when I just make one bottle similac is foamy where enfamil is harder to mix. My DH did some research and we ended up buy the dr browns mixing pitchers have never had any foam with similac and the enfamil is no longer lumpy.  

call the fomula companies and ask for samples before you go out and buy the formula. I know similac has a number for feeding advice and they ask questions and then offer suggestions as to which formula might work and then send out a sample to you.