Formula Help with Reflux and Trip

[geniegirl]

So our son has been on Enfamil and is a spitter, doc just added rice which was helping. It isnt as bad as our first son so we are holding off on soy for now. He still spits but if we keep him flat after the bottle for aobut 30 min it helps.

We went to sign him up for daycare last week and they use Gerber Good Start, we can send in our own or he can get theirs for free. They gave us a supply to try to see if he could handle it and so far he is doing much better.

No brainer right we will switch to the new formula and save on this cost as they will provide him 1/2 of his daily formula for free

Problem is the same day I sent a box to disney with our baby supplies so we dont have to pack and lug and I included the Emfamil for the week. So now do we keep him on it till the end of the trip or do we pack the new stuff and eat the cost of the formula I packed as we cant return the formula.

 

[squirrel]

If it was an un-opened can why can't you return it?

 

[RachaelA]

I'd eat the cost. DD has reflux as well and anything that makes her happier and spit up less would be what we would use.

 

[geniegirl]

Thanks, we are going to ship the new stuff down and donate the 2 refill packs. Cant return because I took them out of the box for shipping.

Cant wait to go.

 

[justhat]

I see you already made a decision, but just wanted to throw out some support as my 3rd had BAD reflux and life was miserable while she was an infant. She'll be 2yo this month and still throws up randomly, but it got way better around 11 months old.

 

[SweetMissy]

Unfortunately acid reflux is a common symptom of using formula. My older son was formula fed and had such issues, not only acid reflux. So I breastfed my daughter and now my baby. My son had issues pretty much until the day he went off formula at a year old. Hopefully the new stuff works better for your son.

 

[POOHDRMR]

Unfortunately acid reflux is a common symptom of using formula. My older son was formula fed and had such issues, not only acid reflux. So I breastfed my daughter and now my baby. My son had issues pretty much until the day he went off formula at a year old. Hopefully the new stuff works better for your son.

Not trying to start an argument but reflux can happen with formula and breastmilk-it has to do with the baby's development of the esophagus and the lower sphincter.Usually the sphincter opens to allow the gasses to release but with reflux liquid comes with the gasses.They usually outgrow it around a year because they start spending more time upright and walking and the muscles also become stronger.Adding rice to the formula or breastmilk helps weigh it down to keep it in the stomach and if the baby is in pain from the reflux or not eating because of it prescription medications to help reduce the acid can be used.There are some babies that can't tolerate certain types of formula but that is different from reflux.

 

[Shleedogg]

Not trying to start an argument but reflux can happen with formula and breastmilk-it has to do with the baby's development of the esophagus and the lower sphincter.Usually the sphincter opens to allow the gasses to release but with reflux liquid comes with the gasses.They usually outgrow it around a year because they start spending more time upright and walking and the muscles also become stronger.Adding rice to the formula or breastmilk helps weigh it down to keep it in the stomach and if the baby is in pain from the reflux or not eating because of it prescription medications to help reduce the acid can be used.There are some babies that can't tolerate certain types of formula but that is different from reflux.

Just chiming in to agree with you. Until my second daughter was born, I always thought that reflux was really only a problem if you formula fed. I exclusively breastfeed my 9 month old, she's never had a drop of formula, and she has terrible reflux. My doctor didn't believe me until she was 4 months old, when her weight was in the 3rd percentile and I kept stressing how much she was throwing up, how she was screaming after she ate each time, could only sleep on me upright. He put her on Zyrtec. I can't tell you the difference it has made. She's a completely different baby. She was just always miserable, poor thing. Screaming, fussy, etc. After a couple of days on the medication her whole demeanor had changed. She's such a happy, easy-going baby now. Very similar to her sister (who had no reflux issues). Is your doctor at all worried about it?

If I was in that situation though, I'd bring the new formula and eat the cost. It wouldn't be worth it for my baby's comfort and my sanity. I'd look at it this way. $30, $60 (not sure of the cost) wasted on formula or thousands on a vacation where you're all miserable?

Hope the reflux issues get better, I know how hard it can be! Have a great vacation!

 

[SweetMissy]

Not trying to start an argument but reflux can happen with formula and breastmilk-it has to do with the baby's development of the esophagus and the lower sphincter.Usually the sphincter opens to allow the gasses to release but with reflux liquid comes with the gasses.They usually outgrow it around a year because they start spending more time upright and walking and the muscles also become stronger.Adding rice to the formula or breastmilk helps weigh it down to keep it in the stomach and if the baby is in pain from the reflux or not eating because of it prescription medications to help reduce the acid can be used.There are some babies that can't tolerate certain types of formula but that is different from reflux.

Yes, I'm not an idiot...I'm aware that a breastfed baby can get acid reflux. It's just MORE common in formula fed babies, among other problems due to being formula fed. That's all I was saying. With my son, his issues from formula stopped when he went off it, that's why I know it was from the formula. If he was getting what he was suppose to, he wouldn't of had the issues to begin with. My daughter breastfed and never had problems and same with my baby so far.

 

[RachaelA]

Yes, I'm not an idiot...I'm aware that a breastfed baby can get acid reflux. It's just MORE common in formula fed babies, among other problems due to being formula fed. That's all I was saying. With my son, his issues from formula stopped when he went off it, that's why I know it was from the formula. If he was getting what he was suppose to, he wouldn't of had the issues to begin with. My daughter breastfed and never had problems and same with my baby so far.

What was the need to chime in about breastfeeding though? The OP formula feeds. She obviously choose not to breast feed. She doesn't need to hear your thoughts about how the reflux is because she formula feeds.

I guess I should have expected someone to chime in about essentially about how breastfeeding is better.

 

[SweetMissy]

What was the need to chime in about breastfeeding though? The OP formula feeds. She obviously choose not to breast feed. She doesn't need to hear your thoughts about how the reflux is because she formula feeds.

I guess I should have expected someone to chime in about essentially about how breastfeeding is better.

Calm down. I only added it because I wanted the OP to know that this issue could last until her child is off the formula....NOT to shove it in her face that breastfeeding is better. Only wanted to give my experience....geez.

I could also add for the OP, the different formula may not make a difference. I tried all different kinds, and nothing helped. Hopefully it works for your son.

 

[scootch]

I would continue the cereal no matter which formula you end up using. The weight of the cereal is a huge benefit with REFLUX. My daughter ended up at a pediatric GI specialist and even with thickening(breast milk) we still could not get her reflux under control. He said reflux is more common in breastmilk as it is thinner, basic gravity.. heavier things stay down better than nonheavy. I ended up having to quit breastfeeding and she developed esophagitis and. Children's Hosp in Pittsburgh goes from 1 teaspoon per ounce to 1 tablespoon per ounce of cereal. Just fyi, oatmeal is less constipating than rice, so if you end up with that issue, switch to oatmeal cereal.

 

[SweetMissy]

Geniegirl....after reading my posts, it sounds like I'm being the B word. I'm REALLY sorry. I don't mean it like that and hope you don't think I am. I was just giving my experience and yes I am a little bitter still about putting my son through what he had to go through due to formula. I'm really sorry if I offended you!! I hope the formula works out!

 

[twinboysmom]

Calm down. I only added it because I wanted the OP to know that this issue could last until her child is off the formula....NOT to shove it in her face that breastfeeding is better. Only wanted to give my experience....geez.

I could also add for the OP, the different formula may not make a difference. I tried all different kinds, and nothing helped. Hopefully it works for your son.

Well here's my experience. One of my twins had reflux and vomited his breastmilk every time to the point that the only route I had for him to keep it down was to thicken it with rice cereal.

OP, I had fantastic luck with good start for both of my boys, including the one with reflux. It really did make a difference for him. It didn't last forever. He got better around 7 months and by around 8.5 months it thankfully went away. Good luck!

 

[GiJohnsGirl]

If it was an un-opened can why can't you return it?

For some reason you can not return formula. Probably some sort of safety concern.

 

[POOHDRMR]

Yes, I'm not an idiot...I'm aware that a breastfed baby can get acid reflux. It's just MORE common in formula fed babies, among other problems due to being formula fed. That's all I was saying. With my son, his issues from formula stopped when he went off it, that's why I know it was from the formula. If he was getting what he was suppose to, he wouldn't of had the issues to begin with. My daughter breastfed and never had problems and same with my baby so far.

This is why I started with" I don't want to start an argument" I was not calling you an idiot-I was just getting the medical imformation on reflux out there.The reflux usually gets better when they are eating more solids and less liquid.Was not starting a breastfed vs formula argument.

To the OP-My son had reflux until around 15 months.We used rice cereal to thicken his bottles but that didn't help enough and he was then put on a acid reducer.He would get very congested sounding after a meal and he was a terrible sleeper untill the medication.He didn't outgrow it till after he was already on milk and solid food-once he started walking and not crawling anymore it pretty much went away and we were able to stop med's.At 2 he still has it once in a while but it doesn't bother him too much.keeping him at an angle when feeding and sleeping also helped(there was a wedge that raised the crib up a bit)I wouldn't switch back and forth on the formula-for us even going from the same formula but using powder instead of ready made would make it worse.

 

[RachaelA]

For some reason you can not return formula. Probably some sort of safety concern.

Is it just powder you can't return? I've returned ready to feed before (we switched to sensitive). I didn't have any issues, but it was also a new cashier. I'm curious because if I ever start to use powder, I'd rather not buy more than one can if I can't use it if DD decides she doesn't like it or something.

 

[geniegirl]

OP Here.

1. formula can be returned if in the box and unopened. the stuff i sent was a refill pack that came in a box but I took the packs out of the box for shipping as they took up less room. I did return the 2 other boxes i had without any issues and got the new stuff. talked to a friend at the food bank and she said they will take it without question so we will ship it home and give it to her.

2. he still spits a lot but is doing better on the good start, we are working with the doc on the steps to decided if its bad reflux or just a formula brand reaction. our 1st son has awful reflux and is still on meds at 4.5 years old. he still sees an ent about this and they just started voice therapy to see if they can train his vocal cords to close better.

3. our sons came through adoption so breast feeding is not an option, i am not bothered by it and i would love to save the 100's of dollars in formula costs but just dont have the choice. though it does annoy me that the formula cans have to also say breast feeding is better. i want to tell them yes i know but some people dont have a choice.

 

[squirrel]

I'm glad the food bank will take the formula.

I have a friend that's son was born premature and she is breast feeding. He spits up a lot and they found out if she doesn't drink or consume any dairy it makes a huge difference to the amount of spit up. It use to fly across the room she said. Now he rarely spits up unless they lay him down without waiting 20 min.

I hope your son is doing better on the formula that the daycare uses. I know the 2 pkgs that are going to the food bank will be very helpful for someone else.

 

[SweetMissy]

OP Here.

1. formula can be returned if in the box and unopened. the stuff i sent was a refill pack that came in a box but I took the packs out of the box for shipping as they took up less room. I did return the 2 other boxes i had without any issues and got the new stuff. talked to a friend at the food bank and she said they will take it without question so we will ship it home and give it to her.

2. he still spits a lot but is doing better on the good start, we are working with the doc on the steps to decided if its bad reflux or just a formula brand reaction. our 1st son has awful reflux and is still on meds at 4.5 years old. he still sees an ent about this and they just started voice therapy to see if they can train his vocal cords to close better.

3. our sons came through adoption so breast feeding is not an option, i am not bothered by it and i would love to save the 100's of dollars in formula costs but just dont have the choice. though it does annoy me that the formula cans have to also say breast feeding is better. i want to tell them yes i know but some people dont have a choice.

Actually, yes you can breastfeed an adopted child. It's tough work and would take a lot of dedication but it can be done. From what I read though, it's easier to stimulate lactation if you've nursed in the past....but it's definitely something that can be done. If I were to ever adopt, I would, but I can totally see why a parent would choose not to due to the extra work but to me it would be worth it. Just wanted to share that it is possible.