Formula Moms please advise..

dcandme · July 2013

Trying to find a formula that will agree with my DD, she is 7 weeks today. Started with Similac Advanced once my BM supply finally went to nothing, gas and fussiness we switched to Similac Sensitive per our Pedi and have been using that for a few weeks. But her stools are thick and still gets gassy/fussy between feedings and we feel like we are constantly struggling with keeping her comfortable and happy. I hate giving her gas drops/tabs all day everyday and have even resorted to gripe water at times (Which my Pedi said was a No No). My pedi has suggested trying a different brand such as Gerber Good Start or Enfamil Gentlease...has anyone had results with these? I just wanna find something that will help her feel better so between feedings and naps she is more willing to interact and be happier. TIA

Sidenote: She eats about 3oz every 3 hrs during day, every 4 hours overnight. And we use Dr. Browns bottles. She had bouts when she wouldn't have a BM for a few days so per our pedi we also give her an ounce of prune juice as needed.

BSnipes35 · July 2013

Just be careful switching formulas too often. It can make things worse. Give her time to adjust to one before trying another. When I stopped breastfeeding with DS1, we switched to soy, per our pedi. Gerber Good Start was always a good one for us. But try one formula for 3 or 4 days before going to something else.

DaisyDuck40 · July 2013

I use Gerber Good Start Gentle and my son has had no problems with it so far.

HZ2012 · July 2013

We switched from similac to gerber good start and we use dr browns bottles. It has helped. We give gas drops a few times a day per our pedi. We keep him sitting up while eating and we keep the bottle level, not tilted back. We keep him upright for about 30 minutes after he eats. Hope this helps!

KLL22 · July 2013

I absolutely recommend gerber!!! When I had to stop breast feeding due to medical issues I was desperate to find a formula to work for my baby. She was colic and had horrible reflux with the occasional gas pains. I tried every similac and every enfamil. Nothing would work for her!! Then my ped recommended gerber. It's formulated to be like breastmilk and has easy to digest whey protein. I bought the gentle at first to see how she did. She did ok on it but had horrible smelling gas. I then tried the soothe version meant for colic. Best decision ever!!! She is like a new baby! She has been on it for 2 months now and it's still going well.

dcandme · July 2013

majwv8:
How much does your LO weigh? The doesn't seem like enough for 7 weeks old. Otherwise, I echo what PP said.

She is about 8.5lbs and my Pedi said her feeding schedule is fine...however during the day if she is hungry I feed her sooner then the 3 hours, and if she falls asleep for a nap I let her sleep and feed her when she wakes up

kristinrae914 · July 2013

Another vote for Gerber Good Start. I use the Gentle and have had no issues...granted my LO is only 7 days old but still....

Ljd425 · July 2013

I would be giving her BioGaia probiotics!! I think everyone should take probiotics..started my baby on them at 4 weeks

Gris0630 · July 2013

Your story is a lot like what I experienced with my first. We switched to Gerber somewhere around 8 weeks and she did so much better. With this kiddo, I went immediately to Gerber and he is also doing well. Maybe try different bottles too. I used the drop ins with my 1st and pushed the extra air out before feeding, but this kiddo can't suck a straight nipple to save his life so we had to change to NUK. He's getting less air and is less gassy since making the nipple switch. Good luck!

PrimRoseMama · July 2013

Give her more time to adjust to the formula. Stop changing things so much. The more you change the harder her gut has to work.

We used Similac Sensitive. You might also try being extra careful how much formula powder you use at a time. If baby is taking 3 oz then make the 4 ounce bottle. There is no exact measurement for 3oz. So, make the next ounce size up and offer it. She eats what she eats and you toss the rest.

Also, the method of mixing can make a big difference. We found stirring the bottle vs. shaking made a BIG difference.

ka2shaz · July 2013

I would try to go back to Similac Advance or Enfamil Infant. Your LOs digestive tract matures and it could be better this time. The not sensitive formulas are better for the baby because they have lactose like milk. The actual chance of any baby having lactose intolerance is minuscule. Corn based sugars, that are a main ingredient in sensitive formulas, scare me, much like high fructose corn syrup does.

emmy236 · July 2013

We had issues with Similac Sensitive,it had a ton of air bubbles then we changed to the Similac Total Comfort and it has been fantastic. It's a little harder to find because its new but it has worked well for our little guy. I'd definitely look into upping your amount per feeding. My DS is only 5 weeks but is up to 4 oz. he's possessed baby when he's hungry

LadyDelilah · July 2013

we started out with Enfamil newborn and then go to Enfamil infant at 3mo and this baby is more prone to spit up than DD was. Im sorry you had supply issues we did too and its just no fun

beppes1013 · July 2013

HZ2012:
We switched from similac to gerber good start and we use dr browns bottles. It has helped. We give gas drops a few times a day per our pedi. We keep him sitting up while eating and we keep the bottle level, not tilted back. We keep him upright for about 30 minutes after he eats. Hope this helps!

same here. we use gerber good start soy sensitive because J has a dairyprotein intolerance/allergy. we also give him a stool softner as prescribed by his pedi gastro dr. we started him off with parents choice sensitive since we had 0 issues with DS1, but ended up having to switch to a soy sensitive based formula after he was diagnosed.

LoveInAutumn2006 · July 2013

We had the EXACT same issues. I switched to the Dr. Brown's bottles and Gerber Good Start Gentle and it has been SO much better!!!

dustypinkhalo · July 2013

Enfamil gentlease works well for us, we haven't had to use gripe water since we switched. When u switch I would mix the current formula w the new formula for a little while before completely switching.

mcarter91011 · July 2013

It is interesting how different pediatricians can be! I am using Enfamil Gentle Ease and love it! I still give DD (just under 3 months) a dose of gripe water at night. I use Avent bottles. DD went from crying inconsolably for 3 hours every evening before Gentle Ease to occasionally fussy before bedtime! She has just recently gone from a feeding schedule like yours to 5 oz every 4 hours with one 6-7 hour stretch at night. She has not had any problems with constipation.

htaylor516 · July 2013

This sounds like my son exactly! Get her stool tested. It took is months to figure out was going on with our little guy and his stool test showed a milk protein intolerance. He went on alimentum and was a totally different baby after 2 weeks. He is now 1 and does just fine with whole milk. They can outgrow the intolerance.

dcandme · July 2013

Thanks for all the responses

Want a personalized experience?

Formula Moms please advise..

Re: Formula Moms please advise..

LFAF Summer 2016 Awards:

Choose Another Board

Search Boards