Aptamil Pepti 1 Milk Powder? Reflux in baby and think maybe cow's milk has something to do with it

[Nickname1980]

My 6 week old has just been diagnosed with probable reflux.

His symptoms are:
Vomiting after feeds
Pain during feeds
Crying and stretching legs and arching back after for long periods after feeds (only bottle)
Rash on face
Lots of hiccups
Generally unsettled

He is mixed fed (mainly breast) as I don't quite have enough milk. Almost, but not quite enough. I like the freedom of being able to pass the last feed of the day over to my DH too.

I've been doing lots of reading and I'm wondering if eliminating cow's milk from my diet might help? I don't actually eat much dairy anyway.

And he is always much, much worse after formula. In fact, his reflux comes on mostly after formula.

So I came across Aptamil Pepti 1 Milk Powder. Anyone used it? Or am I crazy to swap to it without discussing with my doctor?

I guess what I'm asking is: would it do any harm to switch to this formula?

He's been given infant gaviscon.

Bump

One more bump

Are you sure he's not worse after the bottle because he's taking in more wind? I don't have experience with that formula but I guess It's worth testing out if you've exhausted other possibilities, although I believe cows milk allergy is actually quite rare. What has your doctor suggested? You can try giving the aptamil advice line a call, they are actually very helpful.

It won't hurt to try it, as it will be nutritionally complete, but it will be expensive. Have you asked your GP to try a hypoallergenic formula? It does sound suspicious for CMPI - the rash on the face and the reflux being worse after formula particularly. You will know quite quickly after trying it if it is helping. Some babies can tolerate the extensively hydrolysed formulas like Nutramigen, while for others, like my DD, they bed one that is completely free of cow's milk such as SMA Alfamino or Neocate (Alfamino is a lot more palatable).

Also, have you tried Ranitidine yet? It makes a world of difference for my DD. It won't eliminate the need for a hypoallergenic formula, though, if it is CMPI. My DD has both, along with Gaviscon.

Agree it's worth getting a more thorough diagnosis.

It would be pointless to eliminate cows milk from your diet, while keeping it in his :)

Aptalmil Pepti and indeed all other formulas are based on cows milk (apart from the ones which aren't of course :) eg the soya ones).

SMA Alfamino and Neocate are formulated entirely without cow's (or any) milk. They are created from amino acids, fats, glucose, vitamins and minerals.

Oh, and steer clear of soya formulas if CMPI is suspected, as babies who are intolerant of cmp are usually also intolerant of soya.