Should I change formula?

[Bohemond]

My lovely 14wk DS has been on standard SMA formula since 10 weeks, prior to which he was EBF.

The first couple of weeks went really well; regular feeds, plenty of wet nappies and regular (2-3 times per day brownish peanut butter texture poo). We started with ready made but then moved on to powder using a perfect prep machine. He seems happy taking it warm from the pp or at room temp when I take a prepared bottle out with me.

The last couple of weeks have been completely different. Suddenly becoming screamingly hungry but then fussing on the bottle and crying. Only taking 3-4oz instead of 6. Lots of wet nappies but really irregular poos; not even one every 24 hrs and they are more runny and yellow. He is not a particularly sicky baby but he is being a bit more sick than I would expect. Lots of farting. Generally grizzly but with flashes of the perfect boy he was a couple of weeks ago.

I have looked at wonder weeks and he should be in an ok period right now.

I think he may be constipated which would explain the fussing and straining (he usually poos while feeding) and may explain why he doesn't seem to want to take much at a time.

Should I consider changing formula - does anyone have any recommendations - or should I take him to the doctor to see if he needs any medicine to get things moving again.

TIA.

[Bohemond]

Can anyone help?

[mrsnec]

Hi, my dd is ff. I was always nervous of changing formula for some reason I don't know why. When my dd had digestive problems I did discuss it with our pediatrician before I did anything.

She recommended changing one feed a day with comfort formula and prescribed a brand that had natural fibre in it. I'm not in the UK and she also told me to give fennel tea too which is controversial but worked for us!

Discuss all of it with the doctor though just in case.

[Bohemond]

Thanks Mrsnec

[BikeRunSki]

In theory formula mixes are all meant to be similar, and I chopped and changed between Aptamil and C&G with no problem (these are both made by the same company and looking at the ingredients and nutrition appear to be identical in all but price). BUT - several of my friends had similar problems to you using SMA, which went when they changed formula, usually to C&G.

I also found that the ready mixed formula didn't suit DS at all, but the equivalent powder mix was ok.

When you take a bottle out, how do you keep it fresh?

[tortoisesarefab]

What bottles are you using? Do you need a faster teat? My Ds would not take all of his bottle when he was ready for the next teat. You could try another formula too, I never had any problems with aptamil but I have heard the constipation problem with sma before. All manufacturers do 'comfort' brands of milk now too which could be worth a try

[mrsnec]

Just to add that dd is on aptamil and I tried the ready made and different temps and that didn't make a difference.

We didn't need to do the comfort formula thing for very long. I think only between 2 and 5 months. We started weaning early and when we went down a feed we dropped the comfort formula and she was fine. She's 7 mths now.

[Bohemond]

Thanks everyone.

tortoisesarefab I have tried a faster and variable teat in the past but he just didn't get on with them - too much spluttering. However, this was a few weeks ago so will give another go. The reason I didn't think it was this is that sometimes eg. just now he will suck down 6oz no problem.

Bikerunski I will admit to not doing anything specific to keep bottles fresh either when I go out or when I take one upstairs to bed other than sealing them very tight. The have been made using the perfect prep ie boiling water on the powder topped up with filtered but they are not then refrigerated. The longest they go is a few hours and I do throw lots away (he has a new bottle for every feed). I watch some people make up the powdered formula with cold water which I thought was a real no no. Happy to be told I need to be more rigorous as I am keen to get the little one sorted.

I had heard similar things about SMA perhaps causing constipation so it is helpful to have this confirmed.