Hyppallergenic formula and reflux

[kittypower]

DS is 6 months and has bad reflux. I have just stared giving him formula feeds in the day and still breast feed at the morning and at night but am have been reading that hypoallergenic milk might help his reflux - does anyone know if you can only get this from GP and if it would help?

[Davidsmom]

Hi,
Sory to hear your LO has reflux, my 8.5 month DS has it but most of the symptoms seem to have reduced with meds but we still have vomiting and night waking.

As my DH has a history of ?milk allergy (mainly based on excema) we were prescribed Nutramigen then Neocate formula if I needed it although have managed to keep BF just and express as many people feel that reflux is better with breastmilk (apparently a sort of mild natural antacid). Both are hypoallergenic formulas but do taste dreadful. He eventually would drink them but only if a certain temp etc (he can be a bit fussy!) a number of people I know who have tried it have had problems getting their LO's to drink the stuff.

I know you can buy Nutramigen from any pharmacy fairly straightforwardly without a prescription although you have to speak to them as it's not on the shelf but the Neocate seems to be a pain for them to get ( but could be my chemist.)

I found the Neocate seemed to stay down better but it could be that the strong smell of the Nutramigen lingered on his bibs etc so thoght there was more comng up!

Some people swear by avoiding dairy products as milk intolerances can give similar symptoms and the proteins can get into breast milk but I tried several weeks without with little success. Everyone is different of course.

If you get near a pharmacy regularly I would pop in and ask to get some from them, if it is difficult to get to one I would phone and enquire first as mine has to order them in.

There are some other hypoellergenic formulas out there but I havent tried them.

Hope things improve.

[kittypower]

thanks davidsmom, my DS is on meds for his reflux, he's on domperidone and motilium and they seem to help a bit but not great. It is really starting to get me down so am keen to try anything that would help him - I will pop up to thepharmacy today and see what they say.