Formula Feeders....Advice?

cassylovesmike · September 2010

Breastfeeding just did not work out for us and we had to use formula. We started with Nestle Goodstart but after ten days he hadn't pooped in 24 hours. We took him to the hospital (it was late at night) and they said to switch formulas. We switched to Heinz Nurture. He was fine for 24 hours and then back to not pooping again. We called the health line yesterday and they said to put him on soy.

He was still quite obviously straining last night. We gave him a warm bath and massaged his tummy. After getting out he pooped into his towel. Success!! This morning when we changed him he had another small poop but firm like the previous. (7:30 am)

At this point he hasn't gone since then. Our doctor's office is closed and the hospital did nothing last time. I know that we could try low-iron formula, but how long should we wait and see how the soy works out. Is anyone else having poop issues??

TIA!!

makclair · September 2010

most formula fed babies are not going to have bowel movements more than every day or every other day.So not going for 24 hours is very normal. Honestly, I would just leave him on the soy until you get in to see his regular doctor. Do they not have a nurse line that you can call at the doctor's office?

I don't know about Canada, but in the U.S, they don't make low-iron formula . Formula in itself is just constipating as compared to breastmilk. Soy is actually even more constipating than regular formula, but since he seems to be doing ok, i would leave him on that for now

Dreamsicle23 · September 2010

I'd go back to the Good Start. DS does great on it. Sometimes he goes a day and a half or so between poops but it doesn't bother him. Soy is worse for constipation, plus all the formula switching is doing a number on his poor little tummy.

Mizz&Shizz · September 2010

Ditto PP, FF babies poop every 24-48 hours and that is perfectly normal. Also, abrupt changes in formula can cause constipation. We've had a lot of formula issues with DS, and we found that soy was the most constipating. You could try a formula that has a low lactose level (Enfamil Gentlease, Similac Sensitive, Gerber GoodStart Gentle Plus) and that might help more.

Also, our pedi gave us the OK for prune juice to help with constipation. We use the Gerber Prune & Apple juice because it seems to be a little milder. You mix 1/2 oz juice with 1/2 oz water. We usually just add an ounce to his bottle and give it to him that way. You can do this twice per day. You just don't want to give him so much volume of prune juice that you are replacing a feeding.

TheSkimmy · September 2010

Mizz&Shizz:

Also, our pedi gave us the OK for prune juice to help with constipation. We use the Gerber Prune & Apple juice because it seems to be a little milder. You mix 1/2 oz juice with 1/2 oz water. We usually just add an ounce to his bottle and give it to him that way. You can do this twice per day. You just don't want to give him so much volume of prune juice that you are replacing a feeding.

I would not do this without talking to your OWN pedi first. Your baby is less than 2 weeks old. I would wait till Monnday to call 24 hours is ok without a b/m

MelissaOrlando · September 2010

cassylovesmike:

Breastfeeding just did not work out for us and we had to use formula. We started with Nestle Goodstart but after ten days he hadn't pooped in 24 hours. We took him to the hospital (it was late at night) and they said to switch formulas. We switched to Heinz Nurture. He was fine for 24 hours and then back to not pooping again. We called the health line yesterday and they said to put him on soy.

He was still quite obviously straining last night. We gave him a warm bath and massaged his tummy. After getting out he pooped into his towel. Success!! This morning when we changed him he had another small poop but firm like the previous. (7:30 am)

At this point he hasn't gone since then. Our doctor's office is closed and the hospital did nothing last time. I know that we could try low-iron formula, but how long should we wait and see how the soy works out. Is anyone else having poop issues??

TIA!!

My doc says it's not considered a problem unless the LO hasn't pooped for 3 days. My LO regularly poops once every 24-36 hours. I wouldn't put him on soy unless he is having serious problems with the other formulas. Soy is sort of a last resort due to the high estrogen and synthetic hormones. I think you need to give a formula at least a few weeks before making a decision. JMO, but talk to your doctor about all of this.

Lindsay2907 · September 2010

STOP switching formula just for pooping issues!

My LO is formula fed, and poops once every other day. Now I should add that its quite the ordeal, when he poops (messy)... but he's happy and content and growing! Formula fed babies poops MUCH less often than breast fed babies. My Pedi told me not to get alarmed unless he had gone more than 3 days without a bowel movement. But like I said, he's like clockwork, just every other day.

louisiana_mommy · September 2010

my pedi recommended a teaspoon of miralax in the bottle once a day. Works like a charm! I agree with others stop changing formula's that doesn't help one bit with constipation.

anmorgan32 · September 2010

Lindsay2907:
STOP switching formula just for pooping issues!

My LO is formula fed, and poops once every other day. Now I should add that its quite the ordeal, when he poops (messy)... but he's happy and content and growing! Formula fed babies poops MUCH less often than breast fed babies. My Pedi told me not to get alarmed unless he had gone more than 3 days without a bowel movement. But like I said, he's like clockwork, just every other day.

This, I can't believe the doc even suggested you do it after only 24 hrs without BM. We switched my LO's formula a couple of times and it took at least a week for his system to get used to it and poop normally. Trying a formula for only 24 hrs is not going to show any change. You have to give it time. I'd go back to the original formula and give it a week or two.

Versacha80 · September 2010

we had the same problem with our 3month old.. he had problems trying to poop when we started soy formula.. its normal for them not to poop at first when changeing to a new formula. We were scare at first when he couldnt poop, but drs saod it was normal when changeing formula specially soy. One thing that helps them poop too is massage the lower back gently above the tail bone it helps them poop. So remember everytime you change the formula the baby will be constipated.

Katemarie1 · September 2010

I'm surprised they moved you to soy so quickly. We had this same problem with Morgan at about 1.5-2 weeks (she is on similac advance). I thought she was constipated but our doc assured us that babies at around 2 weeks are learning to use their GI tract. She suggested bicycles, a warm compress on her tummy and anal stimulation to get the poo moving. This helped in the short term.

We never switched formulas and from about 3.5 weeks on she's been pooping 2-3 times per day (without the help mentioned above). Good luck with your little one!

HayleyandMark · September 2010

The nurse practitioner told me the other day that unless mine went more than 3 days or his poop was hard not to worry. SHe also basically said it looks like a newborn is straining to poop because their butt is 'new' so it takes more effort to push it out.

brookelynb01 · September 2010

DO NOT use a low iron formula - Iron is essential for growth (especially the brain!)

Try using Enfamil Premium with Dual Prebiotics. The prebiotics should help with the constipation and it is as close to mother's breastmilk as formula can to date.

Also -- It is not recommended to use soy by the AAP unless there is a milk protein allergy. Constipation is not a sign of milk protein allergy.

If you think it might be the lactose in the formula, you can think about using Enfamil Gentlease which is lower in lactose that other formulas.

If you need something completely lactose-free, you can think about using Similac Sensitive For Fussiness and Gas.

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