Soy or hypoalergenic?

[MrsKreamer]

My 4 month old has servere reflux. I have been nursing him ,but I also suppliment with formula. We are now switching from regular to either soy or hypoalergenic. His ped said it was our choice. any suggestions?

 

[taximomfor4]

I am unsure of the situation, and think you should talk with the ped some more. Reflux in infants is more a matter of the sphincters being immature, so that stomach contents back up into the esophagus. Why would switching formulas do ANYTHING for the sphincters? There are things they can have you do for reflux, but the switching nutrition sources doesn't make sense.

 

[TheOtherVillainess]

If I were in your place, I would try to switch to a hypoallerginic formula (if such a thing exists). Giving them soy (or using soy/nut products on them) at that age can cause them to have severe nut-based allergies when they are older. Or at least that's what I was told when we were trying to figure out exactly which formula would not cause DS to poop aquarium gravel.

TOV

 

[taximomfor4]

If I were in your place, I would try to switch to a hypoallerginic formula (if such a thing exists). Giving them soy (or using soy/nut products on them) at that age can cause them to have severe nut-based allergies when they are older. Or at least that's what I was told when we were trying to figure out exactly which formula would not cause DS to poop aquarium gravel.

TOV

That was sooooo funny!

 

[Rachie0507]

I think the first step should be talking to the doctor. My DS was on hypoallergenic (Nutramigen) formula because all the other formulas made him very sick. The doctor had us try soy first though. Soy is cheaper than the hypoallergenic, so that might be a better place to start. I have heard of a connection between soy and nut allergies but I know plenty of kids who have used soy without developing allergies. The doctor would know more though. There are some really effective reflux medicines also, if you haven't tried that yet. Good luck

 

[VioltePrincess]

both of my girls had reflux problems with regular formula, and which improved dramatically when I switched them to soy formula. neithe rof them ever developed any food allergies.

 

[MrsKreamer]

Part of the reflux is being controled with two medicines. We have noticed, however, that my son is still getting sick after 3 feedings a day....cramping, tucking his legs in, and a lot of painful gas. A milder formula should help this. She said it was my decision because different babies react to them differently. The two types are Isomil(a soy based formula) and Alumentum(a hypoalergentic formula, the proteins are already somewhat broken down).
The reason I asked for suggestions is because I read a recent study linking soy-based formulas with problems in brain development...and the doctor said that some babies don't take to the Alumentum because it tastes bad....

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

My SIL uses special bottles for her son and they just use regular formula..they are teh Dr. Something bottles (like Bailey or something.. but I was watching Grey's anatomy last night, so that can't be right).

Have you tried that?

http://www.handi-craft.com/Bottles.shtm

Just found it--it doesn't say anything about reflux..but I thought that is what he was having a problem with. They used these pretty much from the start once they opted to FF.

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

My youngest had reflux. She nursed exclusively so switching formulas wasn't an option. I was careful with what I ate and made sure to keep her somewhat upright for a half hour or so after she ate. One of the nurses in our Peds office also suggested giving DD several drops of Mylicon during the middle of the feeding to try to reduce any gas bubbles.

Good luck! They do eventually outgrow it.

 

[bengalbelle]

My 6 week old daughter has severe reflux too. When she was a week old she vomited/spit up, choked on it and had a seizure. She spent 5 days in the NICU. My now 5 year old son had severe reflux too. I tried breastfeeding both of them, but my volume was low and we couldn't get it up enough to make a difference. I noticed the more formula they got the more their symptoms increased.

I would recommend Alimentum (Similac) or Nutramigen (Enfamil). We tried lots of other types of formula with both babies and these were the only ones both of mine could tolerate. It also makes the bowel movements soft and helps with gassiness. Both of my kids showed improvement on the Alimentum vs. soy or regular formula. I think the Alimentum and Nutramigen smell awful, but both of my kids took it with no problem. I think the soy smells awful too. My son drank it with no problem, but it didn't help with his symptoms.

If you don't suspect allergies or if you're just looking for a formula that stays down better, Enfamil AR is also a good choice.

Whichever one you decide to go with, sign up on their website and they will send you checks to use when you purchase the formula.

I know you didn't ask about other aspects of treating reflux, but I thought I'd mention it in case you don't know this...

We have her bed elevated and use a Tucker Sling to help keep her in place. The Tucker Sling was invented by a mom in Kenner . We got ours from the hospital, but they sell them online too. We also thicken her formula with rice cereal and hold her upright for 25-30 minutes after each feeding. We feed smaller amounts more frequently.

You mentioned 2 meds...I'm assuming Zantac and Reglan? We used these with my son and used them at first with my daughter, but switched to Prevacid about a month ago. It's not as convenient (has to be compounded) but seems to be working well.

Good luck! He should outgrow this in 5-7 months

 

[Honu]

I was in a medical study several years back for a correlation between soy intake and auto-immune problems. I have 5 different auto-immune diseases, with no family history for any of them. Some of my doctors feel that the soy products I ate frequently as a child (parents going through their hippie stage in San Francisco in the 60's) had much to do with the problems I now have. Who knows if it's the source, but if I had a choice to feed my child something other than soy, I would take it.

 

[Christine]

Both my kids were on soy formula. My DD exclusively until she was weaned and my son for a few months, and then we went to Nutramigen for him. My DD was on it for reflux. Can't say it helped the reflux but she was less "cranky" on soy (no cramping, etc). My son was more in trying to control his eczema that started the day after he was born. We seemed to get the best response from Nutramigen (he never had reflux). We did try the Alimentum but he couldn't stand the taste but liked Nutramigen.

DS (now 11) did develop a peanut allergy. Don't know if it was due to his soy use or that he was just going to have it...period. That's what I think.

 

[MrsKreamer]

Thanks everyone! We decided to start with soy and try it for at least a week.

Lisalovespooh- We used Dr Brown's bottles with Kurt jr....love love love these bottles. I am using Avent with Aiden, because I bought the Avent pump. Both are good colic reducers.

Clarabellecowfan- We nursed exclusivly too until the ped said I had to start thickening his feedings. I tried to pump and use EBM, but I could never pump enough. We are using the gas drops too.

BengalBelle...I will look into the bed thing! Aiden is on Pepcid and Reglan and they help, he isn't throwing up near as much. He is just still getting a lot of gas and cramping after he eats.