Changing formula and PED office not helping?

sweethearts7-7-7 · December 2010

Ok my son is 10 weeks old. He is on his 4th formula since birth. My husband and I are new at this and have know idea what we are doing. So we rely on the expertise of our Dr.'s office. Well for his 1st visit when he was 9 days old we asked if it was ok to switch from Similac Advance to the cheaper Parent's Choice Advantage. We had been told all brands were just as good. He said that yes it should not be a problem. Mind you we were having no problems with the Similac, we just wanted to know if we could go cheaper (if there really was no difference) He assured us there wasn't. So we switched. He was on this for just over a week, but right away I noticed a difference in him. He was fussier, seemed unhappier, he just didn't seem right. However, this could of been new mom paranoia. So I asked their advice at the 2 week appt. The NP said she heard a little reflux. she said we could try a sensitive formula. Then the doctor came in and said we could try putting a little cereal in his bottle. I DID NOT WANT TO DO THAT. He was not spitting up or anything. I just wanted them to give me their professional opinion on whether it seemed like something to switch for or if I wasn't giving it enough time. Anyway a few days later It seemed to get worse, but again it could have been paranoia. I called to see if I should try sensitive or the formula with the rice starch (a safer alternative to cereal) She said "either one." That was it. No direction at all.

So anyway, I switched to the one with rice starch. He seemed to like it and felt very content, except that it made him very constipated. I once again called the doctor who told me give him apple juice in his bottle. I didn't like that idea, but I did it a few times. It helped a little. Finally at his 2 month appointment we discussed the constipation. I asked if I should have tried the sensitive like the NP said instead of the rice starch. He just said "yeah you can," and gave me some similac sensitive for fussieness and gas. Well we have been on it for two weeks now. His contipation is a little better and much softer, but now he is hungry all the time. He was eating 4 oz every 4 hours before. now he is eating 5 oz every 3 hours. His naps are much shorter and he is angry more often. I don't know what to do. It seems like everytime I bring up a question to the Dr.'s office, they just agree with what ever I say. I am not a doctor! I don't know what I am doing. I need THIER professional guidance! So today I had some leftover rice starch formula. I mixed 3/4 Similac sensitive to 1/4 Rice starch formula. I really don't want to switch his formula again. So I thought that if I could mix these together that they would balance each other. The Similac would be more filling and heavier and the ricestarch wouldn't constipate him. I called his doctor to ask about this, but no one has called back yet. (Not that I would get a straight answer anyway)

Shoud I do this? Is this bad? I considered going back to Similac Advance which he seemed good on, but after all this I don't know that he will and that would be his 5 formula switch. What do ya'll think? Am I being paranoid? Please be honest.

Sarahhhlynn · December 2010

Are you going to just switch for one feeding, or is this going to be his permanent formula? I think switching from formula to formula throughout the day is a bad idea, but if your switching back bc you know this is what he likes best then i think its no problem. Might cause some stomach upset but ive done this before trying to find which formula sit best with LO.

J+MS · December 2010

Although most of the ingredients in formula are almost the same, it does not mean LO will work with each one the same. I would go back to the similac, give it a week and if he is content with that, then leave it alone. 5 oz every 3 hours is fine for a 10 week old. My 11 week old is eating 6-7 oz every 3-4 hours. I wouldn't mix formulas either and if you aren't happy with your pedi than find another one!

Where in Louisiana are you at?

taratru · December 2010

I mix our formula half AR and half Gentle. It's worked like a charm for us. I didn't ask the ped about it, I just did it. When I told him what we did, he said "whatever you're doing, keep doing it."

You need to stop changing his formulas all the time, though - especially during the day. I'm no doctor either, but I know that's not good.

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Changing formula and PED office not helping?

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