Mumsnet Talk

a lot of GPs are not aware of cow's milk protein allergy / intolerance but some are.

There is loads of NHS information out there so would recommend you print some out and take it with you for reinforcement. Dont let them fob you off with lactose free - lactose intolerace in infants is really rare and usually results in faltering growth and dehydration.

my GP and HV were fairly useless in that the GP didn't discuss milk at all, HV recommended Comfort formula. But I think it's a fairly new product so they may not be aware of it.

Just wanted to come back to this thread with an update:
DS never really improved further after the initial boost from the reflux meds, at the next weigh in he had gained an oz and by the next weigh in (yesterday/wednesday) he lost 2 oz . Took him straight back to the GP who was v. dismissive and basically said oh well, lets wait and see what happens . Babies aren't supposed to loose weight, grr!

So I took him straight down to a&e, felt a bit guilty as it wasn't an emergancy plus i was ignoring the GP but couldn't stand it. As with out previous visit a&e were outstanding, the doctor listened to my discription of all his symptoms (reflux, ezcema, constipation, colic-y screaming, constant blocked nose - and ofcourse weight loss) and suggested it might be a cows milk allergy and prescribed Neocate formula which is cows milk free.

It'll take a couple of days to know if its working but fingers crossed...

(PS thank you again to Ginshizz who sent me some cot-raising blocks which have made a definate difference to putting him down at night for you...)

Oh I am so pleased you got the Neocate.

Don't worry about going to A and E. It's often the only way to get any action. I think a lot of GPs just do a sum in their heads which goes like this: babies + unsettled behaviour + feeding issues = overanxious first-time mother. Grrr.

Is he drinking the Neocate? It's not the best-tasting potion in the world

The doctor warned us that most babies don't like the Neocate and take a while to get used to it but he doesn't seem to mind much - still not drinking loads but no different from the usual formula. Hopefully when the inflamation in his gut from the old formula dies down we'll see a big difference. Back to a&e for a check-up tomorrow, they really are very good.