Enfamil AR

[nixrolz]

Hi there

I have been using Enfamil AR for my 4 month DS for the past 2 weeks now. Initially I was using it for top up feeds for the first week, and now I have stopped breastfeeding altogether this last week and moved him on to formula completely.

DS seems to be really, really constipated now... he strains like mad when trying to have a bowel movement, and then when I check his nappy there is this little hard poo in his nappy that is also pale olive green.... very odd .

Has anyone else had this happen to their LO? Also, are you giving your LO water at any point in the day?

Cheers

When we were in the US our DTs poo got very black and smelly - I think because the North American formulas seem to have more Iron in them than UK formulas. Not sure that the "AR" means - we used regular Enfamil in the US and use Cow and Gate in the UK.

Why not try and switch formula. May be the issue - or it may not. The science of baby poo is always baffling

formula has a bit of a tendency to cause constipation, babies were made to have breatmilk (quick to say here that is not a criticism - you will have switched for a reason).

Try some good tummy time, that shifts my 1 year old's poo sometimes (he was bf now cowsmilk but still gets bunged up sometimes), make sure the formula is not too strong (ie exactly according to packet instructions).

have never ff, so not sure about giving water.

is that not the one with added rice? Could you switch to a formula without added rice as it may be that that is causing the constipation?

If AR stands for added rice that would almost certainly be it.

Had a look on the Big Net and note Enfamil AR is sold as preventing reflux and vomiting. Rice starch is added as a thickener. Is that specifically why you use it? If so I assume it is on doc's advice and they should advice you further.

If not, you may want to switch to a simple stage one ff (suitable from birth) - they are all much of a muchness...

We used Enfamil A.R. to treat ds's reflux and had no problem with it at all, it worked wonders for him. I was under the impression that you could only get it on a prescription so am assuming it's to treat something similar? If this is the case then I would speak to gp about this

Hi there littleboyblue (and everyone else)

Yes, it is to treat reflux and I've got it on prescription. Had to give up breastfeeding due to fussing on the boob and not putting on any weight for 4 weeks!

I am seeing the Paed on Thurs, so I'll ask him all these questions...

PS - AR stands for "anti reflux"

Definately talk to him on thurs then, there are other ways reflux can be treated if your dc isn't taking to it well.
Goodluck