Formula switch? Sorry kinda long

soon2wed09

My son was diagnosed with reflux and milk protein intolerance (due to mucus and blood in his stool) at 6 weeks. He is now 10 weeks and has been on three different medications and eating Alimentum. Over the past couple off weeks his poop has become very watery. I spoke to his pedi about it and he didn't seem concerned, and asked if anyone at home was sick because a tummy bug is going around. He is going in this Thursday for an ultrasound since we can't seem to get his reflux under control with meds. My question is has your child with MSPI been on Alimentum, and was ok for a month then starting to get watery stools and still very fussy? When did your pedi switch to amino based formula? His pedi said he doesn't want to switch him to amino that it would be asking for more issues. I don't quite understand that as a FTM with no family history of food allergies. Please help .

byrne15

We didn't switch to AA formula until 6.5 months old.  I wished I had switched sooner.  He went from spitting up 8-10 oz per day to about 1-2 oz.

What "problems" is your pedi suggesting may occur?  Do you see a specialist?

soon2wed09

We saw the pedi GI earlier this moth and go back mid June. He said to continue breast feeding and supplement with Alimentum. My supply died when I had to stop (switched to just pumping), and give just formula when my son had mucus and blood in his stool. The regular pedi didn't go into detail as to what other problems may occur. The only thing I could think of was messing up his sensitive tummy with to many food switches...? I've seen the amino at the store so I think I'll get a can and just try it out to see if helps.

Rachel*Neocate

Yeah, I don't know what kind of other problems your Dr is expecting?  

 

Basically the difference between a formula like Alimentum and an elemental like Neocate is the protein chains.  In Alimentum the formula is made up of partially broken down protein chains, unlike the full chain found in "regular" formula.  

A large majority of MSPI babies do well on this type of formula because the proteins are broken down just enough, but there are those that are more sensitive (like my LO!!) and still cannot handle the partial protein chains.  That's where an elemental, amino-acid based formula comes in.  

Formulas like Neocate are completely broken down 100% into free amino-acids, the building blocks of proteins.  So there are no protein chains for your LO to digest or "react" to.  YKWIM?  

What makes Neocate special video: https://youtu.be/Hoj4DtjE4zM 

If you do decide to trial an elemental formula just be sure to give it some time, the rule of thumb is at least two weeks.  It will take your LO some time to adjust and get rid of any proteins still lingering.  

Can you put a call into the GI dr and get their opinion or talk to the nurse there?

Good luck!!