Baby allergy? Drs shocking recommendation

[whoops2024]

Just shocked.

Since birth no formulas have been kind to my DD (mostly terrible poops diarrhoea, blood, mucus or constipation)

She's so far been on-

Cow and gate
SMA Althera
Aptamil Lactose Free
Nurtimagen 2 LGG
currently on Aptamil Pepti 2

But still symptoms are awful. ATM she is congested, watery eyes and mucus poop again.

I called dr to say this isn't working either. He knows she's 6 months and he mentioned changing the formula to Alpro unsweetened oat milk!!!!! I was like sorry what? I don't mean I need a milk for weaning I need a formula for her feeds! He said yes try that. I'm absolutely shocked that a dr has recommended that as a substitute to infant formula!!!

I challenged this and he said "I have run out of options, so continue with the Aptamil Pepti 2 until you hear from dietician" so I asked him to expedite the referral!

I'm shocked! Upset! And having to deal with a poorly baby! Sorry had to vent!!!!

@whoops2024 it sounds like you need an amino acid formula rather than a hydrolysed formula. My baby was put onto alfamino after we were struggling with hydrolysed formulas.
I’m not sure where you are based but where we are (west yorks) it can only be prescribed by a peadiatric dietician. My baby was so ill we paid to see dr hodge at spire in leeds (£250). He was able to prescribe it on the nhs and pass the prescription onto the GP. It also meant we had seen the paediatric allergy team for our first appointment so we’re added to the waiting list for nhs allergy testing rather than needing to redo the first appointment with the nhs. You can buy alfamino yourself but it’s £40 for 400g (half a normal size tin) which is why in a lot of areas it can only be prescribed by an allergy specialist as a formula fed baby will need about £600 of formula a month.

It’s strange that he recommended oat milk over soy milk anyway, even if your baby was over 12 months, as soy milk is much higher in protein. There are soy milks designed as a follow-on milk that are fortified with extra nutrients. My child was on it from around 12 months due to a mild cows milk intolerance that she grew out of. She loved the stuff!

@HeronTwist soya proteins are very similar to milk proteins so a lot of babies have problems with both (mine do) also there was research done recently that shows soya if given in larger quantities to baby boys can affect fertility in later life so a lot of doctors don’t recommend it.

If it’s CMPA then you need Neocate, an amino acid based formula. All the above still have dairy in. The first line is Aptamil pepti and then nutrumigan (both hydrolysed formulas) if this doesn’t work its needs to be completely DF. Sorry you aren’t getting the help you need. I would ask GP to bleed the on call Paediatrician to take advise and prescribe amino acid formula. Xx

I agree 100%. If I had listened to my GP I would be in a wheelchair and my DH would have died in 2015.

The level of nonsense some of them come out with is scary.

Oatmilk for an infant. Hells bells!

Yup as above - back to the docs and also put a complaint in to the doc. That isn’t close to responsible as advice.

Try goat milk based formula. Waitrose sells.

Try Holle A2 formula, it has the A2 protein so easier to digest and doesn't have the same reactions that other cow formal has. I used to buy mine from a company called Ulula

Babies with proper allergenic responses need the formulas mentioned above by Lrichy13. Goats milk - like soy is another likely allergen for a baby allergic to cows milk protein (theirs are similar proteins too) so probably not the best choice for this baby.

can’t help but wonder if it’s like the cheese and smells a bit goaty though!

I went through same thing with my ds until finally got neocate at 6 months. I really had to fight for it as he was gaining weight so was considered 'thriving' until I eventually got to see a dietician who told me he was CMPI. GPs don't have a clue and I don't know why this is as I'm sure there are many in the same boat.
On the expensive side of things as this is medical you should be able to get it on prescription? (Here in Ireland you can anyway!)

As above. The pepti is still only hydrolysed, you need an amino acid formula that’s totally dairy free such as neocate or alfamino

@FuppinNora its because it’s not in the medical school curriculum. Baby feeding is health visitor and dietician stuff.

Sorry can't help with formula but personally I would ask to speak to another GP and if that doesn't work ask to make a complaint to the practice manager. I think your little one should be on an emergency referral to the diatician.

Best of luck resolving everything x

My DD was allergic to cow, goat and soya. Her skin looked like it had been burnt. I was ill and had to start treatment at 7 months. She finally had a formula that worked. I really can't remember the name sorry but it smelt like gravy.
She was also allergic to eggs and some nuts. Only the nut allergy remains.
Good luck.

This!

The GPs aren’t great with allergies. All those formulas are ‘hydrolysed or extensively hydrolysed’ milk. So there is always still cows milk present it’s just more broken down. There’s no point trying different ones whatsoever because it’s all the same stuff. If one doesn’t work you should be moved onto an amino acid formula like neocate that has no cows milk protein whatsoever. Some babies have quite a strong reaction still to hydrolysed formula.

If your baby is reacting to hydrolysed formula then goats milk, soy milk formulas etc are also a waste of time and money.

my first baby had to have neocate but grew out of CMPA by the time he was one. Second no allergies at all.

Have you tried a goats milk based formula? Was the only one my nephew could tolerate. He was dropping weight like crazy but he was fine on it. The stomach upsets stopped, weight went up, colic stopped.

At 6 months you can wean her and switch to cows milk or a milk alternative that she tolerates. Most milk alternatives are fortified with calcium so it’s not as crazy as some people are saying. Formula is great for some but if your baby has allergies she must feel really miserable and would be better with home made baby meals of meat and veggies plus a milk drink she can tolerate.

Bear in mind that babies used to wean at 4 months. The change to 6 months came from the WHO, and is probably still the best advice for developing countries where access to clean water and a nutritious diet isn’t guaranteed. But research at UCL has since indicated children in the UK weaned at 4 months have better nutritional outcomes and fewer allergies.

I'm sorry that you're going through this, it's awful seeing your little one suffer.

Both my boys have CMPA and also a soya allergy. Have you spoken to your health visitor? Mine were quite good for recommendations and helping me to steer the GP in the right direction.

On Facebook there's a CMPA group that you could join, they're a very supportive group and they really know what they're talking about.

Mine was horrendous and at 6 months I started weaning. I can't help you at the moment, but I can say that I have a 12 Ur old with no food issues that aren't related to sensory issues now. Even with an ongoing lactose/dairy allergy, life gets easier. X

Goat's milk formula?

Sounds awful for you and little one.My youngest had a lactose intolerance, he would cry at night, curled up, it was obvious he was in pain. He also had a constant runny nose and tucked his fingers constantly. Health visitor saw hime and recommended lactose free formula. The crying at night stopped (except when nursery gave him pancakes!). The runny nose stopped and he stopped sucking his fingers instantly.
I'm sure you've already spoken to a health visitor.
Contact your NHS dietician team, stress that you are worried little one isn't getting adequate nutrition and ask to be referred to a paediatrician.

@NorthernDuck

Soy milk can also affect girls and cause hormonal imbalances and early onset puberty. We were specifically told by a consultant not to give it to one of our baby girls who had CMPA for those reasons. I'm surprised when I hear so many doctors recommending it for girls. I guess the choice is between finding something they can eat and a fairly low chance of hormonal issues though. Probably best they don't go hungry!

@whoops2024
I haven’t read the whole thread but I’m a paeds dietitian and I would strongly suggest you ask to see a different GP and ask for an amino acid based formula e.g. Neocate LCP, Puramino, Alfamino, Elecare. Remind the GP about the iMAP guidelines - managing CMPA in primary care (the link is being silly, please google it)

I hope you get some help ASAP!

Can’t believe families with babies with cmpa are still having to struggle for so long before they’re switched to a dairy free hydrolysed formula. It should have been obvious after the first formula switch that this baby needed Neocate. I’m sorry you had to go through this OP 🤗