XP: Nutramigen vs Alimentum

Leah&Cole · November 2010

At DS's 4 month appointment today, the doc "confirmed" that he has a dairy allergy. We also suspect that he has an issue with soy, but we have not yet confirmed that theory. I'm going to be switching over to at least some FF and because of his issues, it looks like we are going to be looking at hypoallergenic formula - yikes.

Does anyone have an comments on Nutramigen versus Alimentum? I've read that neither taste or smell very good... is one better than the other?

abeer26 · November 2010

My LO is on Nutramigen and she doesnt know better since she has been on it since birth but once we tried to switch to Alimentum and she didnt tolerate the taste. FYI - My Child smells like instant mashed potatoes ALL THE TIME from the formula.

Ashl07 · November 2010

We use nutramigennalso, but we can only use the ready to feed. The powder has enflora and our DD refuses to drink it. We tried Alimentum first but she also refused that one. The specialist told us they are very similar but some babies prefer one over the other.

NYBoston05 · November 2010

I think they are both the smelly-same. Check to see if your insurance will cover the cost. You get used to the smell after a while.

cindybaf · November 2010

My LO can handle the taste of regular Enfamil but has been EBF up until today. We have tried Alimentum(15ml in 3-4oz of BM in a bottle) and she hated it. Today we did two whole bottles of Nutramigen(4oz each), she drank the first one okay, the second one later in the morning was more of a challenge and she did not finish it, then I did a bottle with half Nutramigen and half BM because I felt awful for my poor baby, and she did a little better.

My baby slept this morning, is sleeping now, has been able to console herself if she let out a few cries(up until today she could NOT stop crying unless you swaddled, held, rocked, walked, pushed her around in her carriage for at LEAST half an hour). She doesn't like the taste of either, but Nutramigen has been palatable for her and we're going to go with it. I'd rather have her cry a little at feedings because she doesn't like the taste(she should get used to it) then have her cry all morning, afternoon, and evening because she is in pain. She's like another child on this formula.

skiwic8 · November 2010

I assume from your post you are bf'ing currently? I recently had to start supplementing and DS did not tolerate the regular cows milk formula (like in the ER due to dehydration bad). I have started him on Alimentum mixed with breastmilk and he is doing great. I chose Alimentum over Nutramigen after reading reviews online....Alimentum seems to be more easily tolerated than the Nutramigen for some reason. As for the soy I have been told that soy based formulas are not good for boys...something about estrogen in it??? What ever you do chose if you can try mixing with bm first...we started with 1/3 formula and 2/3 bm and are slowly increasing the formula. Initally I introduced the formula straight up and they think that may be what caused his severe reaction. And FYIY DS did not have a problem with the taste or smell of either formula...sucked it back with no problem!

Leah&Cole · November 2010

skiwic8:
I assume from your post you are bf'ing currently? I recently had to start supplementing and DS did not tolerate the regular cows milk formula (like in the ER due to dehydration bad). I have started him on Alimentum mixed with breastmilk and he is doing great. I chose Alimentum over Nutramigen after reading reviews online....Alimentum seems to be more easily tolerated than the Nutramigen for some reason. As for the soy I have been told that soy based formulas are not good for boys...something about estrogen in it??? What ever you do chose if you can try mixing with bm first...we started with 1/3 formula and 2/3 bm and are slowly increasing the formula. Initally I introduced the formula straight up and they think that may be what caused his severe reaction. And FYIY DS did not have a problem with the taste or smell of either formula...sucked it back with no problem!

Yeah, I have similar concerns regarding soy formula. I spoke with the doctor about it today and he basically said that there isn't enough research to know really one way or the other.

stargazer77 · November 2010

DS is on Alimentum, and has been since 7 weeks when we discovered he has a milk allergy. He took right to it and instantly his symptoms cleared up (rash all over body, fussiness, constant waking, and the determining factor- blood in poop!!)

My only advice would be to find out from your insurance company what you need to do to qualify. Mine just told me yes I would qualify and then after the first month they denied any future prescriptions. They said b/c we did not try soy first, and also b/c the rectal exam was not invasive proving fissures that they would not cover it. When I brought this to my doctors attention she mentioned she was not going to have my baby suffer a few more weeks on soy knowing full well that Alimentum would work. She also refused to put the baby through any discomfort to prove there were fissures when it was obvious by testing the poop that there was blood.

While I appreciate her looking out for us like that, the formula is very expensive and the insurance would've been very helpful!

PinkPeony6210 · November 2010

We've only tried Nutramigen, and DD didn't seem to mind the taste/smell of it. I love the stuff...her demeanor completely changed once she started drinking it. I would highly recommend it! Good luck with whatever use choose...formula issues are definitely not fun to deal with.

ETA: My insurance company does not cover it Sad

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