My experience switching from Similac Sensitive to Enfamil Gentle

finally2006 · October 2011

I thought this might help someone.

We started DD on regular Similac but it caused her to scream all night long and have really painful gas. So we switched to the sensitive and it was like she just could not eat enough of it. She would down 4 ounce bottles at 2 weeks old and still act hungry. She never spit up. When we laid her down for the night, you could hear her moving all around farting really loud- like for 4 hours. Then wake up and eat and do the same thing the rest of the night.

So I switched her to emfamil gentle (DD#1 was on this with great success). The first day I already noticed decreased gas. We started a week ago and she has been sleeping 8+ hours a night ever since and she sleeps peacefully-no gas. She has really cut back the amount she eats- 3.5 ounce bottles instead of the 5 ounces we were up to.

I think a lot has to do with the bubbles. Similac had a ton of foam and emfamil does not.

Anyway, thought maybe my story might be useful to someone wondering if they should switch.

mrsmikey · October 2011

Funny, we had the exact opposite experience.

However, we use generic Similac Sensitive. Not sure if that makes a difference.

finally2006 · October 2011

mrsmikey:
Funny, we had the exact opposite experience.
However, we use generic Similac Sensitive. Not sure if that makes a difference.

So weird. I know all babies are different and I know a lot of moms who use Similac with no issue. I thought this might help someone whose baby does not agree with Similac.

jlhook0 · October 2011

We started on Similac Advance, switched to Similac Sensitive and are now on Similac Isomil (soy). Nothing has seems to help DD. She has so much gas...she's less fussy now that she's on soy, but she's still having gas (really loud, smelly gas I might add). Maybe switching brands is the solution...

mrsmikeyray · October 2011

DD doesn't like the Similac so much, and we tried Enfamil gentlease and she wouldn't take it. Enfamil newborn is her best, sleeps 5+ hours a night with it, it was 2 with Similac. We just use gas drops when needed.

waterlily2k2 · October 2011

Isn't it funny how the brand makes a difference? They're technically supposed to be the same-ish, but DS did better on Gentlease than Similac Sensitive.

aveeh · October 2011

This may be a stupid question, but when you switch formulas do you need to do it gradually or just go for it. I don't want to upset her stomach.

laurahastings · October 2011

Jlhook0- Have you tried Similac Alimentum? My LO had tummy issues with Similac Sensitive, so I called my Dr. about switching to soy. She said to try Alimentum before going to Soy. I'm on day #2 of using Alimentum and I think it's helping.

bjcrandall · October 2011

I am having the exact same issues with DD. We started out on Similac Advance. Switched to Sensitive and have had nothing but gas! I feel so bad she will wake herself up in the middle of the night with gas pains and have the worst smelling loudest farts. Gas drops don't even seem to phase her. She has also been eating 6 ounces at a time on the sensitive and she is only 4 wks. I can't wait to try something different. I just thought she was gassy and there was nothing we could do about it.

Caseyk1127 · October 2011

My LO is drinking Similac Sensitive and does exactly what you are describing. You mentioned more bubbles and foam and I was curious, how were you mixing it? Ours was really foamy when we shook it according to the directions so now I stir it with a knife which is a pain but there is way less foam and bubbles (hardly any). Yet he's still very gassy.

finally2006 · October 2011

Caseyk1127:
My LO is drinking Similac Sensitive and does exactly what you are describing. You mentioned more bubbles and foam and I was curious, how were you mixing it? Ours was really foamy when we shook it according to the directions so now I stir it with a knife which is a pain but there is way less foam and bubbles (hardly any). Yet he's still very gassy.

Yep, I stirred with a knife too. But even tipping it to feed caused foam.

symonds.7 · October 2011

aveeh:
This may be a stupid question, but when you switch formulas do you need to do it gradually or just go for it. I don't want to upset her stomach.

I'm also wondering this. I'm also wondering how long you keep LO on a specific formula before deciding it's not working out. We are currently trying out Similac Sensitive and it doesn't seem to be helping much. I'm not sure, though, how long to keep her on it before trying something different. Thanks!

CantWaitforBaby · October 2011

I'm so glad you posted this. Harper is on Similac Sensitive and is very gassy. She's grunting uncomfortably in her sleep as we speak. But, she doesn't have any problem with reflux or spitting up. A couple weeks ago I decided to try the Enfamil Gentlease because our pedi gave us both and said they were pretty much the same (which I've found out that they're really not). I tried it and noticed she was less gassy, but she was eating much less so I figured maybe she didn't like it or something, so I switched back.

I, too noticed that the Similac is very foamy, and Enfamil has no foam at all. I'm sure that is causing more gas. I think I'll try the Enfamil again after reading this. Thanks!!

bjcrandall · October 2011

Is the Generic as foamy?

My experience switching from Similac Sensitive to Enfamil Gentle

Re: My experience switching from Similac Sensitive to Enfamil Gentle

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