Help for sister needed!

[Rosieeo]

My lovely nephew is 6 weeks old now - gorgeous boy! However he's had some problems with feeding.

He doesn't take much formula at any one time, a couple of ounces, maybe three or four, but then might be sick. He's well winded but has had a lot of either constipation or diarrhoea. He also has a rash (not nappy) and grimaces frequently, sometimes pulling his legs up. He isn't settling or sleeping very well and it's clear he's not comfortable. He's also had a snotty/runny nose, which I suppose could just be hayfever.

DSis has taken him to HV who recommended GP. GP says that he doesn't think he is lactose intolerant as he is gaining weight well. He did say that the formula might be upsetting him, but that was it. He recommended Infacol, which they've already tried to no effect.

Would it be worth trying the lactose free formula? DSis is concerned about the links with infertility; I though that was just the soya based formula.

Or could there be another explanation? Any ideas would be appreciated, I think they're getting a bit worried now.

Thanks!

[thisisyesterday]

hmmm could be a cow's milk protein intolerance. babies can still gain weight despite an intolerance because they're still getting the nutrients from it...
unlikely to be lactose as that's really quite rare and you would be seeing far more severe symptoms already

that said, it could just be that particular formula...

i would maybe try a different formula first (a regular one) and see if that helps and if not go back to a different GP and ask for a prescription for a hypoallergenic formula. if that works then you will know it was the milk

i

[tiktok]

Poor sis :(

Lactose-free formula should only be used when there is a definite, diagnosed lactose intolerance. Soya formula is lactose-free but there are other non-soya lactose-free formulas. There is no link with infertility AFAIK, but there have been concerns about the high level of plant hormone in soya formula and the high levels of sucrose (this is the sugar used to replace lactose). Other concerns are high levels of alumnium.

Maybe he is intolerant of cows milk proteins and needs a formula where these are already broken down? HV should be able to refer to paediatric dietitican who could discuss this.

I take it a return to breastfeeding is not something she wants to consider?

[Rosieeo]

So there's cows milk intolerance as opposed to lactose intolerance? She's going to change the brand of formula today.

I'll pass on the advice regarding going back to the GP/HV for referrals and the hypoallergenic formula.

I think that at this point she feels that she would return to breastfeeding if she could. However, DN lost a lot of weight in his first week, was jaundiced and had to return to hospital, which effectively put an end to bf. So it has been a good 5 weeks since she last bf.

Thanks for the great advice :)

[thisisyesterday]

yes, a cow's milk protein intolerance is far more common than a lactose intolerance.

if she really, really wanted to return to breastfeeding then it would be possible, but quite a lot of work.
she'd want to hire or buy a hospital grade pump and pump about 10 times a day to start getting her supply up, and of course see if baby was still willing to nurse. it is def do-able tho, a couple of people on here have done it after long breaks

[Rosieeo]

Wow, I don't know. I'll mention it to her but I know they're exhausted, not sure if it would be too much for her. At the same time I know she wants a solution.

I'll pass it on, lots to think about there.

[kalo12]

many babies are intolerant to cows milk protein. my ds was. gps rarely diagnose this correctly and just pust it down to colic. i would defo consider breast feeding

[narmada]

Your DN sounds very much like my son, who does indeed have a cow's milk protein intolerance. For him it causes exactly the symptoms you describe. Hydrolysed formulas are the ones to go to if relactation not an option - and I can fully understand why it might not be if they have had weeks of unsettledness, feeding issues and even worse sleep than usually comes with a newborn. FWIW DD1 had a cow's milk issue too, and I did go back to BF with her - it was very worth it, but hard work.