We started Alimentum

[Anonymous]

and Kaden seems to LOVE it!! It smells terrible and the smell seems to linger on him, I can smell it on him all the time. Now, I am not getting false hopes that this helps his major screaming fits, but last night, even after only one bottle, he just lied on the couch, trying to coo and smile. This is something that he has NEVER done! At least not for an hour! He did have his period last night of screaming etc, but like I said, it was only his first bottle of the new formula. So here’s hoping………………

The ped said that he wants him on a hypoallergenic formula (didn’t specify how long) and at some point we will re-introduce milk based formula. He also said that once Kaden is almost finished the bottle of ranitidine, to save one or two doses (in case we need them) and to stop taking it. Is he maybe thinking that it is the intolerance that is causing the reflux? I am not sure. He said the same with the probiotics, although I don’t necessarily think that they are a bad idea, so might consider continuing with them as I do feel that they will only help the situation.

I did the math last night, trying to see which brand and form of formula was more cost effective, and believe it or not, the RTF alimentum worked out to be exactly .01 (yes, one penny) more per bottle than the powder nutramigen. The RTF nutramigen was almost twice the price of both. So, needless to say, we went with the RTF Alimentum first. If he doesn’t tolerate it, we will move on to nutramigen. The Dr also said if those don’t work, we will try Pregistimil, before going the Neocate route (which he said there was in fact some sort of financial help with here…….but I don’t know what program he was talking about).
A case of RTF (I called similac and they said that RTF is the only form that alimentum comes in, due to the make-up of the formula???) is between $41 and $46 for 24 RTF cans, which will make 48-4oz bottles (he is only eating 40z a feed) so for now, that is alright. Hopefully it won’t be long before we can try a milk based formula.

Anyhow, any tips to removing the stains that I hear these special formula’s can cause? I don’t like stains. But, I would choose stains and a happy baby over no stains and a miserable baby anyday……………….

[Anonymous]

Congratulations!!! This sounds like you are moving in the right direction. I would tell you that it might seem like he is being a little over anxious to get Kaden off the meds. I don’t usually see babies get off that soon, but if his problem was just an immature gut and the formula is making that better, then that is AWESOME!!! Glad to know your doctor has a plan if this is not enough help as well. Nice to know that if things aren’t as good as they should be that there is more you can try/do and your Dr. is willing to do it, so that is great!

Enjoy the good days, here and I am keeping my fingers crossed you have the answers!!!

[Anonymous]

Great news. I will agree with Ann Marie about stopping meds so soon… we are still on meds at almost 15 months so you may need to push to keep him on meds if needed. Also give the formula a good 2 wks to see a true difference. We used Nutramigen (concentrate) and the stains weren’t that bad… I just used shout on them. The soy formula stains are the bad ones that don’t want to come out. I don’t know about the RTF staining hopefully someone else will chime in about that. Good Luck. I hope the formula change is just what he needs.

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