Possible Formula Switch

[Anonymous]

Am waiting to hear back from Ped but thinking we may have to switch
Marisa’s formula soon. She’s been on Alimentum RTF for about 3 months
now after 4 months on Neocate (was on Alimentum before that and Good
Start before that). Bottles have been way dwindling – for a while we
were getting 24-26 ounces, then 20-24 and now 16-18. And 3-4 of those
ounces are in her oatmeal. She’d eat more solids if we offered but will
only drink a few ounces of her bottle (and even less from cup) before
refusing it. Reflux doesn’t seem to be a problem – rather MAD teething.
While we figure teething is the main issue, it does seem that taste is
in play too. As such, we are guess that Ped may suggest a switch back
to Goodstart or something else.

M is almost 9 months now – any thoughts? Any if we do try a switch
would Goodstart be the most logical choice or something else? She never
had bloody or mucousy stools – more aggravated reflux, cramps/gas, some
rashes, etc.

And if we do make a switch, would we want to do so gradually or all at
once? What signs would we look for? She’s already been really cranky
due to the teething but sleeping well and skin looks good, reflux seems
OK.

Thanks as always guys.

[Anonymous]

I don’t actually think 16-18 oz of formula is bad at almost 9 months old (though i could be wrong) I think that at that age she may just want more solids now and that would be normal.

If you do end up switching to goodstart then I would highly suggest switching gradually so her stomach doesn’t get so upset and she will get used to the taste.

Let us know what happens!

[Anonymous]

Hi Karen –

I would go gradually if you do make the switch. When Owen was given the go ahead to try dairy I think we really screwed up the trial because we were so excited and confident that he would be fine that we overloaded him – I think he had cheese, yogurt and whole milk all in the first couple days! His stomach went crazy and he had diarreah for a while. Since that didn’t work we went right to soy milk and again, overconfident mom and dad just gave it to him whole hog and his diarreah continued. We went back to Alimentum and it took his system about 3 weeks to return to normal. Since we’ve given it time we started giving soy milk again, but VERY slowly. Just one cup per day. We’re on day 4 and so far, so good – but I bet that if we did it like we did last time he’d already be uncomfortable again.

I know that you know this with all of your food trials that you’ve had with Marisa already, but I think with these kids the most important thing is to go slowly. Their systems seem to be a little bit more sensitive than other kids and they need change to be gradual. I bet if you go slowly she will be just fine.

In terms of what to look for, I would watch for gas, diarreah, eczema, and general crankyness. Anything that seems unusual for her. We noticed with Owen that he got really gassy, then the diarreah came not too far behind. And then just total crankyness. There was no mistaking that he was not dealing well with the change at all!

Congratulations on making the switch – I hope it goes really well for you guys!

[Anonymous]

Thanks guys – still waiting to hear what Ped says – will let you know.

So if we do switch, what would be a good gradual way? One bottle a day? Or half/half bottles? And then increase when/how often?

Crankiness will be so hard to tell as she’s pretty darn cranky these
days anyway. I guess nightwakings or sleep issues would be a big clue
since she’s been sleeping well lately (knock wood).

[Anonymous]

BTW – her worst bottle is the night one – we’re lucky to get 3-4 ounces
from that one (last night only .5 ounce). And she’s still only at 2
meals a day – if we add in a lunch meal that would mean even less
bottle intake I’m sure.

Can’t wait until bottles/formula are done with!

[Anonymous]

Hi Karen –

You never know – she may get right back into taking more bottles all of a sudden. Owen went through phases where he would take barely anything from his bottle and then all of a sudden he would suck down 8ozs at a time again. I never could figure out why but it happened a bunch of times.

And I know what you mean about the crankiness. There have been so many times when we have no idea why he’s cranky – we’ll start going through the list – is it teeth? is he tired? is it reflux? did he eat something that’s bothering him? did he hurt himself? It’s awful, don’t you think!?

[Anonymous]

Thanks again Laura. Actually just spoke with the doctor – we are
holding off on switch for now and they are OK with her only taking
16-18 ounces – they even said we can add in lunch if we want, knowing
intake will likely drop more.

It is awful – we are guessing teething because she’s chewing like mad
but who really knows? Will be glad when she can talk and tell us!

[Anonymous]

Yeah, I think Owen’s intake dropped to 10-12 on his really bad days, but he’d always make up for it with jarred foods, etc. His doctor used to always tell us how there’s liquid in foods and that as long as he’s peeing, don’t worry about it. I bet once she’s more comfortable she’ll start eating more again.

[Anonymous]

That’s good to know. I could swear she’s getting multiple teeth at once
– but she doesn’t have any yet and I feel like I’ve been claiming
teething forever so who knows… Plus my Ped doesn’t think teething
should affect bottle intake – whatever..

[Anonymous]

Teething definitely affects bottle intake with Myles. On the worst days of teething he’ll drop his intake to 10 – 12 ounces. I just give him more oatmeal with formula or breast milk to make up for it. But even that can be challenging. He doesn’t like to eat much of anything when he’s cutting teeth.

I think Marisa’s intake is probably fine, too. On his good days Myles is only taking 15-17 ounces a day in his bottles plus two meals. His two meals consist of 1/4 cup of cereal (with an additional 2 ounces of breast milk or formula) and 1 jar of baby food. It doesn’t seem like much to me, but I’ve stopped worrying about it because his growth is normal. I guess that really is all he needs.

I hope those teeth break through soon. Teething is such nuisance! I’m really sick of it already Myles has cut 5 teeth in two months and is working on three more right now. I wish our Maker had allowed teething to be painless for our babies.

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