Infantreflux.org | Change from BF to Formula?

This topic has 13 replies, 1 voice, and was last updated 20 years ago by hellbennt.

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March 17, 2006 at 5:50 pm #4111

Anonymous
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I need advise! My son is 4 months old, breastfed on a dairy and soy free diet, and is on 3 ml of prilosec 2x a day (which I am confident is not at a high enough doseage). His reflux is much more controlled than it was before I changed to milk and soy free when he was about 1 month old. He went on the prilosec about 1 month ago and this also helped. He now naps and sleeps well at night. His spit up has decreased and he nurses well. However, he screams most of the day, and holding him doesn’t console him, nor does anything else. The pediatrician would like me to try to go on the alimentum formula to see how he does. I feel that breastfeeding is our only nice time together and he is only four months old. . .and I thought I was supposed to bf until he is atleast 6 months old. On the other hand we have our first appointment with a pediatric GI next month, and I’m guessing he is going to make us try formula anyway. . .so maybe I should just try it before we ever get there.

Should I give up breastfeeding? Is formula better for him? Or should I try formula just so we can say he tried it? Will he go back to breasteeding easily if after a week the formula doesn’t work or will he forget how to nurse? Your thoughts would be helpful to me!

Thank you,

Ruby

Henry, 4 months, reflux and MSPI

Breastfeeding on dairy-free soy-free diet , 3ml of 2mg/ml liquid Prilosec 2x a day

March 17, 2006 at 10:01 pm #4124

hellbennt
Keymaster

have you cut out all dairy- hidden dairy too? and hidden soy?

if you don’t want to quit breastfeeding just yet, there’s a yahoogroup that can help you and there’s a lot of information from here: Here’s a link to help you out with all of this-scroll down to breastfeeding section: https://www.infantreflux.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=853&am p;am p;am p;PN=1&TPN=1

if you have completely cut out all dairy (hidden too) and soy (hidden too) and baby still has reflux, then an endoscopy can check for eos cells (shows an allergy) and THEN you can discuss with ped GI re: going to neocate formula…see info from above link…

March 17, 2006 at 10:33 pm #4130

Anonymous
Inactive

We have struggled with bf. I wanted to stop so many times but like your baby, it was the one things that gave Matthew comfort (still does at 14 mths). If you are truly on a dairy free/soy free diet (that means no hidden dairy, no hidden soy), I can’t think of a good reason to stop. hypoallergenic formulas are still milk based (though very broken down). You can make your milk dairy free, hypo formulas are not. That said there is a formula called neocate that is truly dairy free (and very expensive). A week of formula may not tell you anything. Just as it takes a good two weeks for the proteins to leave your breastmilk, it can take that long for baby too. Our gi was very glad to see us continue to breastfeed so I wouldn’t assume a gi will tell you that. breastmilk is easier to digest and has a soothing affect. Not to mention the comfort of the closeness your baby gets. I do believe that laleche league had a nice article on breastfeeding and reflux. That might give you some support. He won’t forget how to nurse but the bottle is easier. The bigger issue is keeping your supply. If you don’t nurse for a week, you need to pump every time you would have nursed. Very time consuming. Formula is not better for babies. Breastmilk is made for babies. There are instances where it is too hard or complicated to breastfeed and you have to go with what works. It doesn’t sound like you are there yet.

The recommendation on breastfeeding is actually a year for them to get the full benefit but any time you breastfeed is good.

I have been dairy free since Matthew was about 2 mths old. It has been a challenge. Fortunately I can do hidden dairy and soy. On nights that his reflux was really bad, the only thing that calmed him was nursing. It was a comfort for both of us actually. Perhaps if you get your baby on the right dose of meds, the day time screaming will stop. I would look at that before I took away the milk that was made just for him 🙂 I would also look at the elimination diet on http://www.askdrsears.com to make sure you dont’ have some offending foods in your diet that could making things worse for your little one

March 20, 2006 at 9:28 am #4243

Anonymous
Inactive

Thank you for your advise. I am checking out the websites that both of you mentioned. I am off of dairy and soy (hidden too), but then of course I worry that it could be a wheat allergy. But with cutting out dairy, soy, citrus fruits, gassy veggies, chocolate, spaghetti sauce, and then wheat. . .it starts to become a little ridiculous! I know that self-sacrifice hormone should kick in any day now for me. I feel selfish all the time that I can’t handle the crying and the eliminate-everything-in-the-world diet with a little more grace.

Thank you for your encouragement!

Ruby

Henry, 4 months, reflux and MSPI

Breastfeeding on dairy-free soy-free diet

3ml of 2mg/ml liquid Prilosec 2x a day

March 20, 2006 at 7:08 pm #4310

hellbennt
Keymaster

well, if you take 2 weeks & cut everything out- thus doing the Elimination diet- then you can add things back IN and see what you CAN eat

~laura

March 21, 2006 at 12:48 am #4330

Anonymous
Inactive

Ruby,

I can fully understand what you are going through — I really didn’t want to do the elimination diet or cut foods and only after 8 miserable months did I finally cut dairy and soy (hidden, etc.). I had cut all the classic reflux foods when Lucas was 3 months old, but then added th dairy and soy. He was a truly different baby after removing all dairy and soy. You might think about beef, it’s cow, just like the dairy is cow’s milk. Lucas definitely reacted to beef as well. When it was suggested to me that I take out wheat as well, I balked and thought—I just can’t handle this, plus I already feel like I’m starving to death!!! So, we waited and suffered through additional months of night wakings and misery….most of which I attributed to the hiatal hernia, and the ped gi and ped did as well. Recently I was starting to hit true burn-out and having a really hard time and remembered that wheat and gluten were the one big allergen that I never tried eliminating….Well, you guessed it, he’s sleeping better and although he’s not “all better” things have made a major change for the better with cutting all gluten from his diet. We have an appt with an allergist in TWO months (that was the earliest appt we could get!) Now I’m kicking myself for not trying this sooner, for not pushing for an allergist sooner, etc. My ped is good to tell me that the most effective way for learning about food sensitivities and allergies in these young ones is the elimination of a food and reintroduction. Allergy testing is “notoriously unreliable” in my ped’s words, for kiddos this young. He reminded me that even if allergy testing doesn’t show any allergies, what I have found through trial and error is still valid and if I see something is bothering him, then I should react accordingly.

Everything Donna said is so true. If you are enjoying the benefits of bfeeding, and just need encouragement for doing the challenging elimination diet, then we are here for that. In my experience, breastfeeding has been the ABSOLUTE best thing for Lucas’ reflux. And for us, when the teething hit, it was bfeeding that has saved us. When the night wakings were too much, at least I could roll over and feed him and fall asleep at the same time. Not true if you are bottle-feeding. I know a lot of women say that with bottles husbands can help and that is true to a point, but my husband works long hours and isn’t able to handle the every two hours thing the way I can. It just isn’t in him, and hats off to those husbands who really can pitch in like that. I know for me, that it simply isn’t realistic to wean him thinking that my dh will step up to the plate for these nightwakings. Anyway, my point here is that eliminating wheat might really help you out. Waiting will sometimes (like for us) just make you miserable until you are SO miserable you try the elimination thing anyway. I really wish I had eliminated dairy and soy right away, and then tried wheat. As it is, my son is 18 months old, still nursing (on good days just before naps and bedtime) and breastfeeding is truly the best thing I could have done for his reflux. In my opinion, if your situation is such that you can bfeed physically and emotionally, and no tests are showing eos cells like Donna mentioned– I would go for it and keep nursing.

There are lots of things to eat, I’ve just been finding out, cause we just eliminated gluten in the last few weeks. Rice pasta, gluten free breads (I’ve just made a mix called the Gluten Free Pantry Sandwich bread– it’s actually pretty good!) and there are cookie and brownie mixes out there too. I won’t lie, I’ve been really thrown for a loop doing no dairy, no soy and no gluten, but seeing him sleep has made it all worth it. And I really mean that.

I tossed around the idea of stopping nursing when he was around 8 months old and I was first eliminating dairy and soy– had a lot of feedback on these forums from wonderful women– and I was very scared of losing my supply and of pumping for two weeks to do a neocate trial. It just didn’t feel right to me, although no one would have thought any less of me, dh kept saying it might be easier for me, etc. etc. I just couldn’t bring myself to do it. With bfeeding, it’s really hard to go back after losing your supply. It’s possible, but no fun. I would really investigate the baby’s dose of ppi, check http://www.marci-kids.com for dosing info on ppi drugs and make sure that is where it shold be. That can make a huge difference, too. Also, check out this info on allergies nad intolerances: http://www.disa.com.au/ Sorry to ramble so long, but it’s no everyday you can talk to someone who can’t eat dairy, soy or wheat–haha.

I wish you well, these decisions are so difficult to make!

March 21, 2006 at 8:37 pm #4388

Anonymous
Inactive

Anne,

You are a true trooper to eliminate all of that from your diet for such a long time! You are a great inspiration! Thanks for your post!

Ruby

Henry, 4 months, reflux and MSPI

Breastfeeding on dairy-free soy-free diet

3ml of 2mg/ml liquid Prilosec 2x a day

April 7, 2006 at 12:41 pm #5621

Anonymous
Inactive

Dont stop bf unless you have to. Elim diets suck I know it. I did that for two months and then was finally convinced to switch him to formula. Worst decision I ever made. It did not make him better it made him worse and after four different formulas and then he would not go back to the breast. I felt really pressured by the allergist (really she did not give me a choice in the matter) she said “we’re going to try him on formula now because he must be allergic to something in your milk” She kept saying just give it one more week. I pumped for two months with the hope he would return to the breast he never did and now I am stuck paying 47.95 for three days worth of formula! The only advantage to him being on formula is I can eat ice cream again.

Formula Sucks!!!!!

Best of luck to your little one

Tyler’smom

Rachel

Tylers

April 7, 2006 at 2:41 pm #5639

Anonymous
Inactive

I have a four month old who is stuggling with allergy issues as well and we’ve been advised to stop bf and do a Neocate trial.

https://www.infantreflux.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=5190&a mp;PN=1

I’m still sruggling with this question but I do have some diet thoughts since I’ve been cutting things out over the last few months. If you can get to a good healthfood store there are some pretty decent gluten, egg, dairy & soy free products.

The Cravings Place does dry mixes for pancakes, cookies, cornbread,coffee cake etc. that are gluten, wheat, dairy and egg free. I’ve only tried the pancake mix but it is really quite good and it did not have any soy either. I also found premade frozen toaster waffles that I thought tasted good and were a very easy fill in food. There are rice crackers, potato and sweet potato chips, rice milk. I tried tapioca bread and it was really very good toasted and was still free of all of those substances. I thought it was much better than the rice bread. If your baby can tolerate corn (you could try adding that back in after doing the elimination diet and see how does with it), then you have corn chips, grits, tortillas, corn bread made with corn flour and corn meal. Applegate farms puts out lunch type meats that are organic and have no additives (sliced turkey, chicken etc).

You probably know all of that but I just thought I’d write in case it helped. If you try focusing more on what you can eat than what you can’t it is easier. Think about what starch, veggie and meat you can put on your plate to make it as well rounded as possible (fruit too if your little one can tolerate it) and just go with that.

I know with my little guy, food has affected his fussiness greatly. We went from fussing most of the time (after every meal for certain and initially the whole time between meals) to much calmer on the elimination diet. He still has fussy periods and seems like his tummy’s uncomfortable but it beats screaming all day any time. He can at least be distracted.

Another thing that has saved my sanity (asuming I still have any) is wearing him in a baby wrap similar to a Hug a Bub during the day after feedings. It keeps him upright and puts some pressure on his tummy and he’s able to get more comfortable and sleep some and I can get a few things done. He screamed for five weeks straight until I tried it.

I don’t know if I’ve said anything to help but I would love to help in anyway I can. I know how exhausting the constant crying can be and how crazy the diet stuff can make you!

my e-mail address is under my profile. Feel free to e-mail me!

Kara

July 13, 2006 at 8:35 pm #11455

hellbennt
Keymaster

***not bumping for replies- just adding link, since this is linked to from another link…**(elimination diet ‘section’ of mspi link: https://www.infantreflux.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2697&a mp;PN=1&TPN=1)

Misconceptions about how Neocate & Elecare work: https://www.infantreflux.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=6013

hellbennt2006-7-13 20:37:12

July 14, 2006 at 11:14 am #11481

Anonymous
Inactive

There’s a lot of pressure these days to breastfeed….and while I don’t disagree that it is the best thing you can give your baby, it doesn’t make you a bad Mom if you decide to give it up.

Kudos to all you Moms who were able to stick it out, but I know for me I was so afraid of eating the wrong foods that I was hardly eating at all…..and every time Carter was gassy or refluxing I felt so guilty…like I had screwed up again.

Luckily for us the Alimentum worked. Now that we are on to solids, we are finding more and more things that he is intolerant of, so perhaps we’d have ended up on formula anyway…even if I had tried the elimination diet.

Anyhow, I just wanted to say this much because deciding not to breastfeed anymore was the hardest decision I ever had to make…and I want to offer my love and support to those of you going through that same decision now.

July 14, 2006 at 11:23 am #11483

hellbennt
Keymaster

(now that we’re on another page, thought I’d put this here, too:

***not bumping for replies- just adding link, since this is linked to from another link…**(elimination diet ‘section’ of mspi link: https://www.infantreflux.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2697&a mp;a mp;PN=1&TPN=1)

Misconceptions about how Neocate & Elecare work: https://www.infantreflux.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=6013_)

August 17, 2006 at 10:29 pm #11551

Anonymous
Inactive

I am so proud of each and every one of you that have continued to bf. I know how hard it can be. Besides the fact that so many people tell you to give it up. With my first son it was the ped and with my second it has been the gi to tell me to give it up. This time however, I’m not giving up. There are things I can take out of my diet, but once their on formula your stuck. Also there are certain enzymes in bm that are not in formula that are really good for reflux babies. I would also suggest keeping a food journal. After 4 days of keeping one I think I just might have found the problem. Not only for my ds, but for myself too. I never realized I had an allergy until now. I think it is beef. Really weird, but I think that might be it. Anyway, I wish you the best of luck.

Shelby

August 18, 2006 at 8:48 am #11554

hellbennt
Keymaster

(not that weird at all! …beef is from cow, as is milk, as is milk protein intolerances and allergy)
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