Supplementing Breastfeeding with Formula

[annetoin]

Hello,

I am looking to supplement breastfeeding with formula for my 2 month old son, but am unsure as to what type of formula to use. I am looking to make a gradual transition because breastfeeding is beginning to take it's toll on me. My son appears to always have gas although I have eliminated what I believe are the culprits in my diet. If I eliminate anything else, I mind as well stop eating. I have used Nestle Good Start but my son is still gassy and it smells bad! Is it safe for baby to switch to another brand of formula?

Additionally, can you tell me if it is normal for a baby to grunt, strain and let out an occassional scream when trying to have a bowel movement. My son does this although his poop comes out soft.

Thanks for any input.

 

[jaypea]

Hi! Wow-you sound just like me! My son is 2 1/2 months, and since he was born, he has had (and continues to have) gas. I talked to the pediatrician, and she recommended to eliminate dairy from my diet, so I did. I also found that onions and strawberries bother him (sometimes). I am not in the mood to play guessing games with those foods, so I just don't eat them. I breastfed excusively at first, but then got concerned when my son would draw his legs in, grunt, scream, cry, not sleep, was cranky, had lots of poops (about 14 a day) and gas. That's when I called the dr., and took those foods out of my diet. I also supplemented about 2 bottles a day with Enfamil Lipil with Iron (as recommended by the pediatrician). He did, and still does well, with this formula. What I can't understand is if I am not supposed to have dairy, and the formula is milk-based, how does he tolerate it? to be honest, the dr. did recommend soy formula (same brand), but I wanted to try the regular stuff first.

Occasionally, he still does the grunting thing, but I think his system is maturing, and he is much better at getting the gas out. He "only" poops about 4 times a day, now. He seems much happier too. I think that time may resolve some of your baby's issues. I know that it is so frustrating to try and figure out what is the cause of the discomfort, but hang in there. It will get better!
Good luck!
-Jen

 

[annetoin]

Hi,

Thanks Jen for the post. I felt all alone regarding this.

Yesterday, I decided to try Similac Lactose Free and gave my son 1 bottle. So far it has been fine. He is still gassy, but I guess he just happens to be one of those gassy babies. I too have cut out broccoli, onions and dairy out of my diet. I have also stopped drinking soy milk just to play it safe. I initially was instructed to give my son Enfamil Lipil but found it made him gassy too. I tried the Enfamil lactose free, but he would not drink it.

My son only poops about once every day and a half. Is this normal? I can't stand to see him grunt and writhe trying to pass a stool. My pediatrician said as long as he is not passing hard pellets, he is fine. She said that is just the way he gets it out! I hope this passes soon because it breaks my heart to see him like that.

K

 

[ZT27]

Hi,
I wanted to chime in...My second baby was the same way as your baby but I breastfed him completely. He was the same as yours poopwise, grunting, etc.... It's POSSIBLE your son's rectum might be too small for him to pass stool everyday? That's what happened to my son and the pediatrician stretched it for him. After that, he pooped a little better but still had some trouble. Another possibility is his brain might not be connected to his rectum yet. Some babies are slower with their connections from the brain to whatever to let them know it's time to poop. I would ask the doctor if she/he could stretch his rectum. It might help. I know it sounds gross and painful but after a minute, the baby forgets all about it.

I used Similiac as well and I think it's the best formula out there.

Hope everything works out for you.

Lisa