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Allergies and intolerances

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Original poster

8 month dd won't take nutramigen

23 replies

londonmum123 · 25/02/2010 08:13

Hi there,

Please can someone help?

My 8 month old dd has been diagnosed with a cow's milk allergy and prescribed Nutramigen. She's been fully bf until now (will take EBM from a bottle). I have tried her on 7oz EBM + 1oz Nutramigen and she flatly refused (reduced this to 0.5oz with same effect). Searched other threads and tried nesquick (felt like an awful mother doing that but if it works..) she took 1oz after much effort then promptly vomited.

Would love to continue to bf but going back to work full-time in a month and not an option (am self-employed so hard enough finding a contract that fits nursery hours let alone one where I have the facility to express and store EBM).

Any advice greatly appreciated!

OP posts:

girlsyearapart · 25/02/2010 08:22

my dd2 has been on nutramigen from about 7m - the dietitian said at around 7-8 m the tastebuds change and it can be a struggle for them to take it. We were lucky in that dd did take to it but the suggestions were the same as what you have tried- the gradual mixing of the two.Be careful with Nesquick though as it probably has cows milk in it in some form which could be why she was sick. So sorry I haven't really helped but bumping for you.

foxinsocks · 25/02/2010 08:23

Hi, I had a similar problem with dd when this happened (I too was going back full time).

What I did was decide on a weekend where she was going to swap over...

warmed the nutramigen up to the same temp as the breast milk

got dh to give her the first couple of feeds (as I knew she wouldn't take them)

and eventually (and this sounds brutal but I really had no choice), I had to just wait until she was so hungry that she wolfed it down (i.e. I completely stopped breastfeeding her)

I imagine she vomited because she had been screaming/complaining so much about the nutramigen?

There is another formula you can try (have forgotten its name, is it Neocate?) but i found they both taste foul.

It's understandable her refusing it because they taste so awful compared to breast milk.

foxinsocks · 25/02/2010 08:24

mine was allergic to milk,soya,egg and I know there was only one flavour nesquik that was suitable but I can't remember which one it was (and times may have changed as this was almost a decade ago)

Original poster

londonmum123 · 25/02/2010 08:32

Thanks guys. I didn't know their taste buds changed around this time so that's good to know - maybe explains why she has become so fussy with her food too!

I checked the ingredients (went for strawberry flavour) and couldn't see any milk derivatives.. but am new to this so may have missed something.

I think you are right foxinsocks, am just going to have to go down the brutal route and not offer her anything else. I'm so weak willed and just end up breast feeding her. Will get dh to have a go this weekend - think I'll have to leave the house!

Neocate isn't an option for me apparently as she doesn't have multiple allergies...

OP posts:

sarah293 · 25/02/2010 08:37

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Original poster

londonmum123 · 25/02/2010 08:39

foxinsocks - did you just give your dd straight nutramigen or did you mix it up?

Trouble is, I don't have huge amounts of milk to express so if she won't take it with EBM I have none left to feed her with.

OP posts:

Original poster

londonmum123 · 25/02/2010 08:40

Riven I have - I thought I would vomit if I had to drink it too

OP posts:

NotQuiteCockney · 25/02/2010 08:41

Does she take much food? Much water? Some babies from this age are ok with just morning and evening feeds, assuming you can still do that.

Original poster

londonmum123 · 25/02/2010 08:44

She eats quite well (as long as I give her what she likes) and will tolerate sips of water (but that took months for her to accept).

I can do the evening feed but not a morning one as have to leave too early.

OP posts:

foxinsocks · 25/02/2010 08:45

no, I just gave in totally and allocated that weekend and gave it to her straight (though I did warm it up, this seemed quite key as I think once it's warm, they don't taste it so much iyswim). I did have to leave at one point because it was so awful but I really had no choice at that point.

How did they diagnose her allergy?

The other thing with dd was that she had been v ill up to that point (dreadful eczema, hospitalised a few times with awful stomach problems) so once she was on the nutramigen for a few weeks, she was a different child so in the end, it did benefit her enormously.

ilovemydogandmrobama · 25/02/2010 08:48

Try Neocate. It comes in flavors.

Original poster

londonmum123 · 25/02/2010 09:03

She had an allergic reaction when I initially gave her formula (hives, swelling, wheezing and vomiting). Referred to the allergy clinic who didn't think it would be the formula as she'd had it before (day 1 in hospital) and was advised to continue weaning and give her dairy... had an immediate reaction to a yoghurt (hives, swelling, wheezing, runny nose, vomiting, screaming etc). They then did RAST testing, cancelled it as total IgE was low and was told she wasn't allergic but she was probably intolerant and keep a food diary. Admin error meant cow's milk was tested for and, surprisinly, she's allergic. Sorry - that was quite long winded. Still quite annoyed about it all. Was made to feel like a neurotic mother.

Will try warming it up a bit more - was room temperature when I gave it to her.

OP posts:

Original poster

londonmum123 · 25/02/2010 09:05

Will ask GP about neocate when I next see her (thanks for tip ilovemydogandmrobama) but expect she'll refuse that too.

OP posts:

Stigaloid · 25/02/2010 09:05

ask for neocate - they dont like prescribing it as it is more expensive than nutramigin but it is also better

girlsyearapart · 25/02/2010 18:47

It's true it is vile. dd1 took a sip out of dd2's bottle and promptly burst into tears..

missmoopy · 25/02/2010 19:02

It is foul stuff, tastes like cum - I know, too much info! - and green beans. Well, thats what I thought The thought of a strawberry version makes me nauseas

missmoopy · 25/02/2010 19:03

Tried soya? Tastes better!

Original poster

londonmum123 · 25/02/2010 19:10

Ha ha, that made me laugh - I think it actually tastes worse!

Strawberry stuff is vile, she's been sick loads today and the whole house stinks of the stuff.

I was advised against soya by the consultant in case she develops a soya allergy. Although I'm eating soya like it is going out of fashion so she'll be having it second hand....

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Cokie · 25/02/2010 21:08

My little boy hated Nutramigen. It is foul, I would not drink it so I could not expect him to. He was also sick after it. I called the dietitian and she gave Neocate. It is not the best tasting either BUT is it far better than Nutramigen. As someone else said it is expensive so they would prefer you to try other options first but push for it.

Original poster

londonmum123 · 26/02/2010 18:45

Thanks Cokie - she's taken a bit more today but, like your little boy, she's sick everytime she has it. Will ask GP about Neocate next week.

Thanks for everyones help/advice - much appreciated

OP posts:

lulabelleg · 27/02/2010 08:24

my ds has lots of allergies including cows milk and reacted to nutramigen too. As he was over 6 months our allergenist recommended soya formula which is much more like normal formula so he accepted it ok. For a long time i still breast fed but used it for cooking etc and when he was over one moved on to soya milk. Nesquik definitely has no milk in it as childrens allergy clinic recommend it- don't beat yourself up about using it if it works it helps get the good stuff in.

lilypants · 09/03/2010 16:11

My dd reacted to nutramigen so we were prescibed Neocate. She hated it at first but soon got used to it and wolfed it down. You might have to fight a bit to get it as Coki says it is more expensive and GPs don't like prescribing it. Try getting your dietician to write to your GP...

Original poster

londonmum123 · 13/03/2010 14:19

Hello - just a quick update. DD is finally taking nutramigen (GP would not prescribe neocate) and not throwing it up. I still haven't quite managed to wean her off the strawberry nesquick (down to 1/2 tsp..) but we're getting there. Thanks for all the support. Next step is to try and get referred to a dietician - consultant declared she didn't need to see one as she's not under-weight!

OP posts:

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