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Formula switch was a BAD idea

markhamgurlmarkhamgurl member
in Babies: 0 - 3 Months

Two weeks ago we switched DD from a brand name (Nestl? Good Start Omega 3s/6s if it matters) to a store brand formula that was meant to be the same stuff, more or less (as they generally claim to be), for the cost-savings.

May I just say that the last two weeks have been utterly miserable!  She started getting really fussy, crying suddenly and hysterically out of nowhere, and was inconsolable.  Eventually I noticed it was happening shortly after she had fed.  She likes to nurse herself to sleep, but she suddenly seemed unable to fall into a deep sleep. 

If she wasn't eating, she was dozing (but only in my arms, because as soon as I tried to transfer her to her cot, she would wake up), or screaming.  She couldn't sleep longer than about a 20 minute stretch at a time without waking to scream and cry, so by the end of the day, she was exhausted.  As was I!

After trying everything we could think of to determine what the problem was (it didn't sound like colic or reflux), we decided to try switching her back over to her original brand name formula.  That was yesterday, and so far, so good!  She seems back to her calm, happy, predictable self.  There has been a huge decrease in the amount of time she spends crying hysterically due to discomfort, and is able to sleep for extended periods of time again (ie. 1+ hr versus 15-20 minutes).

My theory is that the store brand formula was upsetting her stomach and/or making her gassy, so shortly after a feed, she felt pain in her tummy and screamed, mistaking it for hunger (she was eating almost constantly, but only small amounts).  Each time she ate to pacify the pain in her tummy, it started the vicious cycle all over again.  I could actually feel the gas bubbles in her tummy when I put my hand there!  After a good fart session and/or bowel movement, it seemed to settle her a bit.

After checking the ingredient list again on the formulas, I noticed that the first ingredient in the store brand was lactose, whereas the Good Start, it was whey protein.  So the two weren't as interchangeable as I had originally thought!

Just thought I'd put that out there in the event anyone else has found themselves with a fussy baby .. perhaps my experience will be of some use to someone else.  Back to my peaceful Saturday (and praying that it lasts!)... 

BabyFruit Ticker
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Re: Formula switch was a BAD idea

  • jaime52005jaime52005 member
    Could have wrote this post myself..I basically did before I read this...did u just switch her back k ur gradually do it..my LO was only on different one for 24 he's but I noticed a change in her instantly idk y I kept with it..when she wakes up idk if I s
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  • markhamgurlmarkhamgurl member

    I had planned to do it over the course of 3-4 days, but DD was so uncomfortable that I switched her formula over completely after 1 day of mixing the two together because I couldn't justify continuing to feed her formula that I believed to be causing h

    BabyFruit Ticker
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  • moonflowers2013moonflowers2013 member

    Yep, that was us when DS was 3 weeks old.  I used one can of the grocery store brand and he was miserable for that entire day.  It took me a whole 23 hours to figure out why he was so gassy and spitting up, he would either drink it and spit i

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  • markhamgurlmarkhamgurl member
    imagemoonflowers2013:

    FWIW, Goodstart can get pricey (It's about $33 for a case of 12 cartons where I live)if you email nestle and

    BabyFruit Ticker
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