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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

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Original poster

Allergy nightmare...URGENT HELP NEEDED

20 replies

mum2alice · 23/10/2006 19:27

My DD2 has seemingly developed an allergy to formula. As a result she has been prescribed pepti junior and nutramigen, both of which she has steadfastly refused (even disguised in EBM). She is 24 weeks old and still breastfed, although I really really want to give up. I spoke to an allergy nurse today who suggested disguising the flavour with Nesquick (?!) which I have tried (all flavours!) and that too has failed.
I am starting to get incredibly frustrated and upset about the whole thing and am now at a complete loss as to what to do! Has anyone else had the same experience and can offer some advice?

OP posts:

moaningpaper · 23/10/2006 19:29

Confused

Why do you want to give up breastfeeding?

Does she have an allergy, or is she just refusing to accept formula? What exactly is happening?

Original poster

mum2alice · 23/10/2006 19:37

We gave her 1 bottle of formula when 4 months old which gave her (we think) stomach cramps and horrendous nappies, so we stooped, left it for a month and changed brand. Gave her a bottle last Tues and she blew up like a balloon, face and eyes and we went to GP and then to hospital. Paediatrician seems to think 4 month formula sensitised her. She happily took both formula bottles, but this new stuff really smells foul.

I want to give up BF as am going back to work and I really do not want to spend my life expressing.

OP posts:

moaningpaper · 23/10/2006 19:39

When are you going back to work?

moaningpaper · 23/10/2006 19:41

Are you going back full time or part time?

How old will she be?

What kind of care situation will she be in?

Are you any good at expressing? (Worse case you could do it for a few months until she is old enough to reliably take solids and water - I had to do this for mine who was a bottle refuser - she survived at nursery for the whole day on water and a bit of breadstick from about 9 months)

Original poster

mum2alice · 23/10/2006 20:35

She'll be 6 months by then. Returning 4 days a week and staying with grandparents (hers not mine!). I express enough for a bottle (5-6 oz) every day, but that takes 2 efforts. I just can't face doing any more as I feel it'll take hours!

OP posts:

moaningpaper · 23/10/2006 20:38

Can you postpone going back to work?

How many hours will you leave her for?

Original poster

mum2alice · 23/10/2006 20:40

Not really no. She'll be left for about 7 hours.

OP posts:

moaningpaper · 23/10/2006 20:52

When are you planning to introduce solids?

If she has had such a dramatic reaction to formula, you are going to have to be so careful with everything - could you DP take some time off work to look after her?

Personally I would do everything I could to postpone going back to work.

chlochlo · 23/10/2006 21:11

DS went on to nutramigen at 8 months and after about a week he drank it fine so much so that we had trouble getting him off it. I must admit it smells horrible and if you ever dare try it then beware

moaningpaper · 23/10/2006 21:13

Have you tried different ways of feeding her - e.g. cup, different teats? She is probably sensing your stress too

Does she have a dummy? what about dipping it into the formula before giving it to her, so she starts to associate it with something nice and relaxing?

VeniVidiVickiQV · 23/10/2006 21:19

Does she have EBM in bottles?

Am a little at nurse recommending Nesquick, but hey ho....

My DD had cows milk protein allergies and was prescribed SMA Wysoy. She wouldnt take it at first. We got round it by mixing 1 floz of the formula with 5 floz of ebm. Did that for a few days, and then did 2 floz of formula to 4 floz of ebm for a few days, and continued with that until she was taking it all.

I have to say, and I wouldnt normally say this to someone who didnt want to b/feed anymore, but with the allergies I do feel you should try and continue with b/feeding or expressing for as long as you possibly can.

There are many aspects to weaning on to solids that need careful thought. Cows milk is put in many foods where you wouldnt expect it. There is also the risk that she may well have other allergies too. My DD has a peanut allergy also.

moaningpaper · 23/10/2006 21:22

that's a very good idea (mixing with ebm)

Original poster

mum2alice · 23/10/2006 22:10

Have tried the EBM and even 1/2 oz to 5 0/z BM can be detected! Have also tried dummy idea and cups! See why I'm desperate?! I may just try and perevere with formula once a day for the next few days. DH is on half term at the mo so will be able to chip in where needed. Thanks for all the suggestions tho.

OP posts:

Original poster

mum2alice · 23/10/2006 22:12

Oh, the solids issue. I'm just weaning her on friut and veg (home cooked) at the mo. You're right, milk and associated stuff seems to get everywhere!

OP posts:

Original poster

mum2alice · 23/10/2006 22:13

And another thing !! She's had a bottle of EBM quite happily for about 3 months now, so I'm pretty sure it's not the bottle thing.

OP posts:

lovecloud · 23/10/2006 22:19

hi my first dd has allergic reaction at 5.5mths to formula (i needed to get her onto it to go back to work too) she came up with lots if blisters on face and neck. I delayed going back until almost 7mths was supposed to go back six months and continued breastfeeding. I did actually start back at 6mnths for 1 week but dd was refusing ebm from bottles and was going a whole day waiting for me so it was too stressful and my boss was sympathetic. So when I went back at 7 mths I expressed as much milk as I could on the days i worked sometimes only got 8ozs but she got through the day and fed like mad when i got home which was 7.30pm. I only worked two days so we got through it. At 8 mtsh old I went to a weighing in clinic at doctor surgery and made hv sit next to me whilst i tried her on formula again, i stayed two hours after until i was finally told to leave and that she did not have an allergy so luckily she outgrew it.

mez656 · 24/10/2006 05:11

Have you tried things other than Nutramigen? I made the mistake of tasting it when it was prescribed to my dd. YUCK. It's foul! She ended up reacting to it so we ended up on Neocate. It's expensive and only by prescription in the UK but seemed to work and tastes a bit better (I confess, I tried it). Also, maybe you could try soy-based formula.

BudaBeast · 24/10/2006 05:36

MY DS was prescribed one called Nestle Nan as he had a dairy allergy. (We were living in Bulgaria at the time but I know itis available in UK but pharmacies have to order it in generally - don't think you need a prescription but you should probably check whether it would be suitable for your DD). It must be worth trying a few diff ones to see if your little one can take them.

Original poster

mum2alice · 25/10/2006 07:21

Thanks for all your help. I've just had a hellish nitgh where she wouldn't even take EBM in a bottle. She is obviously now wise to us trying to get formula donw her! I'm going to leave it all for a while, phone employers and see how it goes!

OP posts:

APMom · 28/10/2006 21:15

If your baby has an allergy it might be a good idea to stick with breastmilk as long as possible. Your baby can go without your milk during the day if you go back to work but would then need to feed during the night, my dd1 did this as she refused to take a bottle so breastfed in the morning, as soon as I came home from work, all evening and then throughout the night as we co-slept. It meant she had her long gap during the day rather than at night. HTH

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