CMPA formula - not convinced it's the right answer

[beigecolourpalette]

Having doubts

Hello! We have been on SMA Althera since Monday after finding blood in my baby’s poop - only a small speck but it happened about 5 days after we stopped breastfeeding and switched to formula.

All of his symptoms seemed to ramp up - his sleep completely disrupted (10+ wakes a night), his colic came back after seemingly going, constant back arching and fussing, severe congestion and massive strings of mucus in his poos.

Since starting the EHF he has been happier, and also his sleep is improving again (as in, not waking hourly but doing a 3-2-1 pattern again) but nothing else seems to have changed yet. His nappies are absolutely foul (though no strings anymore) and he’s very fussy on the bottle, and especially early morning he gets very wriggly, arching back etc. he’s also coughing a lot and he’s still fairly congested.

We have been using omeprazole for reflux for a little while now.

I guess my question is - is it normal to see an immediate improvement in mood but not other ways? I know it can take time for dairy to exit their system but I just am having doubts that it definitely is what’s causing these things. How long should I wait before I potentially try a reintroduction to confirm it?

Yes! You will often see some changes quickly but it can take weeks for the gut to heal and to have an improvement in stools. It also might be that the extensively hydrolysed is an improvement and their general demeanor improves but to get to symptom free with the gut and amino acid formula is required.

Its definitely a positive sign and hopefully things will continue to improve. It's often recommended to have a 6 week trial of a formula to allow the gut chance to heal and to get close to symptom free. Hang in there! If at 6 weeks nappies are as bad as ever ask about neocate or alfamino

Why did you switch to formula? Can you not continue to breastfeed?

I found breastfeeding and cutting all the dairy from my own diet was the only thing that settled my CMPA baby, could you try to re-establish? The CMPA formulas are really lacking in nutrition and taste dreadful. I’m sorry you and your LO are going through it it’s really challenging xx

Althera is not fully broken down so if symptoms do not completely settle then you will probably need an amino acid based formula - SMA alfamino is their brand but there are others.

I also think if baby had symptoms whilst breastfeeding the guidelines state to go straight to amino acid based formula.

You can look them up if you search 'NICE CKS CMPA'

Hope this helps x

@Superscientist @blackcurrantqueen thank you both! I've found some more blood in poo today - no idea if he's still healing or if this means we need to try AA. Will speak to doc!

@NotAllowed @Thewildthingsarewithme I stopped breastfeeding for personal reasons - it's been a very difficult decision and unfortunately not one I can take back. Thanks