Choosing a formula for a baby with reflux
Here is a quick background: I breastfeed, but since about 2 months, I pump and bottle feed. At that time, I was pumping about 5 oz. each time, and it was WAY more than he ate. Since then, I still can only pump about 5 oz. each time, but it seems I am not able to pump that much as often. I'm sure my body isn't responding to pumping the same as if I were nursing. I am still going to pump the same as I am, but I do think it's time to bump up his feeding an ounce or two each time, and I'm just not producing it. He seems to need to still eat ever 2 or 3 hours with only 5 oz., and I think giving him 6 or 7, he may be able to go a bit longer. Shawn has reflux, and I'm so afraid to give him formula, for fear it will be so hard on his tummy. Does anyone have a suggestion or had experience picking a formula for a baby with reflux?
formula
I have been looking at formula incase I have to use some and I saw they have one called Gently. maybe that one would be ok for your little ones tummy. I havent had to do the reflux yet so I dont know what works and what doesnt.
You poor thing....
Everytime I post something, I hope that I don't hear from you for several days! :)
Did you ever ask your dr. the difference between store brand and name brand formulas?
Jessica
~ Mommy to Luke and Shawn
JessicasCandles@gmail.com
i know
Everyday I say I am going to try that castor oil, its the only thing I havent tried, but then I get to scared and say maybe tomorrow. IMight just have to try it if I dont have her by Friday... Every day my boss walks in he says your still here.... She really just doesnt want to come out.
My ultrasound due date for my son was oct 1 (period oct 4) and I had him on the 19 so i figured my ultrasound due date with her is Jan 1 so maybe I will have her tomorrow...i keep giving myself something to go on.
No I figured I would try to breastfeed and if that doesnt work then I will talk to them about it. I bought a breastpump so I hope I can do it....I am sure going to try.
Similac or Enfamil???
There are numerous brands and varieties of formula out there as I'm sure you're quite aware. But, Similac and Enfamil are the two biggies. We were on WIC for a little while and they use Enfamil, but my babies always preferred Similac if we could ever afford it. With Similac you could get the Alimentum, the Sensitive, or the Sensitive R.S.(with rice starch) formulas. They are all for sensitive tummies, but I think that the Alimentum is most widely available. For Enfamil you would probably want the Enfamil A.R.(acid reflux), which is very similar to the Similac Sensitive R.S., and they also have Enfamil Gentlease which is similar to the Alimentum. I hope that helps. We tried so many different formulas with our two(I only nursed for the first 6 months) just to figure out what they needed and liked. Good luck!
Go figure!
I spent forever on Enfamil's website last night reading through the descriptions of all the different formula types, and I didn't see anything about a special formula for spit ups! I even searched specifically for reflux! I have heard a couple of people had success with the Alimentum though.
I have also heard that Similac company does the most research and it is the only formula that isn't made with palm oil as a fat ingredient. Apparently palm oil decreases calcium absorbtion, and Similac doesn't use it.
I decided to call our pediatrician today. I'm so confused by all the choices! Thanks for the info!
Jessica
~ Mommy to Luke and Shawn
JessicasCandles@gmail.com
Producing more
It is possible since you are pumping and feeding that your body doesn't get the signal to make more with a growth spurt. I remember reading about how babies stimulate milk production and when they are nursing during a growth spurt week they just nurse more often and longer and after that week you are set to go. So have you tried pumping an extra time in between and adding 5 minutes each time? Or maybe having Shawn nurse a couple times if you can in addition to bottle feeding. That might be easier if he nurses OK and you don't have to clean the bottles one more time. Even 5 days might be long enough if you are consistent.
No nursing
He hasn't nursed since he was about 2 months old, and I really don't think he would have the patience to try or learn now, or I doubt I would! I knew this was coming, I just hoped it would be closer to 1 year so we could make the switch to whole milk and skip formula. I definitely want to continue to pump through his first year, but I am content giving him an ounce or two of formula per feeding. I am probably producing the same amount as I was when he was 2 months old, but at that time I had way more than I needed then. He's just outgrowing my supply now. I'm actually surprised my supply hasn't dropped, because I've also heard your body doesn't respond to the pump like it would for your baby to nurse. I try to pump 5 times a day, and it's all I can do to keep up on just that! My supply does increase if I pump more often, but being consistent on that is the major problem. Weekends I can usually pump more often because my husband is around to entertain the kids, but during the week, I'm on my own during the day, and finding time to pump isn't easy with 2 small kids around. Plus I've noticed if there is alot of noise or chaos, I don't pump as much. I really hoped I could nurse for a full year like I did for Luke, but I knew early on with Shawn it was going to be different this time. I'll keep pumping through the first year if I can, or until my pump dies! But if/when we need to start supplementing, our dr. has recommended Similac Alimentum, so we will see how that goes. I may try taking Fenugreek again before starting the formula and see if it boosts my supply, without having to pump all day!
Jessica
~ Mommy to Luke and Shawn
JessicasCandles@gmail.com