Supplementing with formula for baby with cow's milk protein sensitivity

[Shanster]

looking for some advice on how to supplement breastmilk with a formula for cows milk protein sensitivity? Baby is 5 months old, I stopped eating dairy after he had smelly green poo for 2 weeks and his Dr suggested it was probably an insensitivity to cows milk. Since then he's been fine. I'm working full time though (US) and can only find enough time to express twice during the day. I'm only able to express about 15-18 oz per day, and the carer at nursery says I need to leave the baby more milk as he's hungry. I have a couple of work trips coming up in the next few weeks also when I'll be gone for 2 days at a time. Will he be ok if I introduce a formula for 'sensitive tummies'? I really hate the idea of giving him formula in case he reacts badly, but I cant find more time to express more and since hes drinking everything I express I can't build up a freezer supply for nights away.

[melonribena]

I would speak to the doctor about a suitable formula for him. I'm sure they could prescribe it. Nursery could start with any breastmilk and use the formula to top up

[FartnissEverbeans]

There are special lactose-free formulas for babies with an intolerance. There are also some available that are made with goat's milk instead of cow's milk. I'm not sure about the brands you have in the US but Aptamil has a lactose free milk, for example.

He'll be absolutely fine on formula I'm sure, but you might have to try a couple to get the right one for him. Good luck!

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

Fart lactose free and goats milk aren't advised for a baby with CMPA.

[FartnissEverbeans]

My bad then. Why not? Am I getting mixed up with lactose intolerance?

[FoofFighter]

Lactose intolerance is totally different to cows milk protein allergy (CMPA)

Here in U.K. we can buy soya formula over the counter, or get substitute formula by prescription, no idea about in the US.

[ElspethFlashman]

Aptimel Pepti is the one often prescribed.

If that causes a reaction, then you go to Neocate (which is rank and you may need to flavour it with something the first few days)

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

Lactose is the sugar in milk whereas the op has said that her baby is allergic to the protein. Therefore milks without lactose will still contain the protein and there's a very high chance that the baby will also react to the protein in goats milk. Here in the U.K. formula made from Goats milk is illegal anyway.

There is also about a 50% chance that the baby will be allergic to soya too as the proteins are so similar.

[shouldwestayorshouldwego]

Mine had to have neocate, it is very expensive though if you have to pay for it. Best to go back to your dr.

[PragmaticWench]

You'd probably want to first try a hydrolysed formula (we have Aptamil Pepti in the UK), but if your baby reacts then try an AA amino acid formula (we have neocate here).

Best to try a small amount at home first rather than at the childcare setting.

[FartnissEverbeans]

JiltedJohnsJulie thanks for telling me, I'm new to this baby business

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

[dementedpixie]

Goats milk formula is not illegal in the UK and you can now get goats milk based infant formula. It still wouldn't be suitable for a baby with dairy intolerance or allergy.

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

Has it changed recently then demented? I may be out of touch.

[dementedpixie]

Looks like it changed in 2014 www.food.gov.uk/news-updates/news/2014/6003/goats-milk

[HopelesslydevotedtoGu]

In the uk before diagnosing cmpa you would first eliminate cows milk to see if symptoms get better, then reintroduce cows milk again to check they return.

Otherwise the green poo may have just been a coincidence.

My two breastfed babies both had several periods of green poo and aren't allergic to anything. Sometimes it was possibly a foremilk hindmilk imbalance.

How confident are you of the diagnosis?

If cmpa was confirmed and you wanted to formula feed then a special formula would be prescribed. Aptamil pepti is one option. Some babies still react to this and would require an alternative, eg nutramigen.

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

Thanks demented

[Shanster]

Thanks everyone, budget cuts at work means I don't have any imminent travel and I've been able to increase the amount I express by adding a couple of minutes so I'm hopeful I won't need formula as it sounds as though it could be tricky and expensive. hopeless I'm pretty confident in the diagnosis - I cut out dairy and the symptoms went away. Baby was also covered with terrible eczema at the time. I tried just eating some cheese 2 weeks ago and was rewarded with a very unsettled baby and 4 nasty nappies in the middle of the night. Going without dairy doesn't bother me too much, I was just a bit clueless about formula options. I need to take him in for his 6 month check up in a few weeks so will get some guidance from his doctor then.

[shouldwestayorshouldwego]

It does get easier when you wean too as then you can introduce water as well and they get nutrition from other food. Although you would still need some milk the requirements drop dramatically. If you are expressing then you might be able to keep expressing the same amount even as his requirements fall and so build up a small surplus. We ended up just giving a liquid calcium supplement rather than a milk substitute.

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

I'd say that sounds very much like CMPA to me to