Help Alimentum q again

suzienickles36

My pedi just switched my LO to alimentum at his 2 month appt yesterday due to suspected milk protein allergy. Also she wanted to thicken feeds due to his reflux/aspirating (She wanted me to do that last time too but I was scared to introduce cereal with his tummy issues and put it off but now I will need to start).

First he is not eating much at all since his appointment and screamed all night when I tried to feed the new formula with the rice cereal to him. Could this possibly be because he doesn't feel well from shots or he hates the taste?

Also nipple size... We are at a level 1 playtex ventair so I went up to medium flow level 2 and it seems he's gasping/ choking on it but level 1 with the thickened feeds he is not getting anything out of it. Thoughts? Experiences? 

My main question though is when can they actually test for allergies on infants? I want to try to be sure he actually does have an issue as well. Thanks and sorry I am a worried ftm

alyson686

I took DS1 to an allergist when he was around 6 months old because we thought he was allergic to some of the solids we had started him on. She told us that while they can certainly test babies, the results typically aren't reliable until they are at least a few years old. If I remember correctly, she said that it's more likely to get a false positive, and then you end up having LO on a special diet for no reason.

kmdoh77

It's so hard when your LO won't eat! We didn't have LO tested for allergies, we just switched formulas and my diet (I was breast feeding) until we found what worked. We saw an immediate difference with the Alimentum but tried several different formulas first.

I wonder if your Dr. would be okay with you trying the Alimentum first then the thickened feeds? When we were trying to identify what was wrong it helped to only change on thing at a time.

Seems like if you are thickening feeds and changed the formula at the same time you won't know if it's the formula or the rice cereal that is the problem.

suzienickles36

Great idea! I will just try to gradually introduce one thing at a time. I probably went too fast with all of the changes she suggested.

nickell5

Although its a pain in the arse, try the ready to feed alimentum. It's a bit more concentrated and thicker. We only used the powder if we were out because she didn't do as well on it.

Jeep Doll

Our pedi switch one of the girls to Nutramigen b/c of milk protein, but she described it more as immature digestion system than an allergy.  My baby had blood in her stool as well as mucous.  Not sure if that's what your baby might have or if it is really an allergy.

gusabbey

I feel like this is a question that depends on who you ask.  Pedi had me get blood work done on DS (now 6 times) due to jaundice.  On the most recent test, an allergy was detected.  So we did another test today to narrow it down.  I told her that I refused to get DS tested one more time...for anything. 

He definitely has digestive issues, but not reflux.  The second we heard he had an allergy, pedi suggested removing dairy and soy from my diet immediately, in case that was the actual issue.

She also had me start DS on Nutramigen for 48 hours (why I dont know).  I bought the can that was already mixed, and DS downright REFUSED it.  It smelled like cardboard, and DS wanted nothing to do with it.  I read that it tastes much different from milk based formulas, and sometimes it takes some getting used to.   

suzienickles36

gusabbey:

I feel like this is a question that depends on who you ask.  Pedi had me get blood work done on DS (now 6 times) due to jaundice.  On the most recent test, an allergy was detected.  So we did another test today to narrow it down.  I told her that I refused to get DS tested one more time...for anything. 

He definitely has digestive issues, but not reflux.  The second we heard he had an allergy, pedi suggested removing dairy and soy from my diet immediately, in case that was the actual issue.

She also had me start DS on Nutramigen for 48 hours (why I dont know).  I bought the can that was already mixed, and DS downright REFUSED it.  It smelled like cardboard, and DS wanted nothing to do with it.  I read that it tastes much different from milk based formulas, and sometimes it takes some getting used to.   

I know I am so conflicted and just want to do what's best for him, but honestly at this point I have no idea what that is. And, I don't want him poked and prodded a million times. He hates the alimentum so I went back to the sensitive version today so he would at least eat. I am thinking of just going to a GI for a second opinion so I can know if he for sure has reflux or not, and if his digestive issues are serious or not.