CMA Formula / Nutramigen 1

[Heavingham]

My little one has been fussing over feeds, screaming in pain and not going for poo’s very often. The gp has now prescribed nutramigen formula as they think he has a cows milk allergy.

It has worked wonders and he goes for poo’s at a minimum of twice a day now and does not scream in pain anymore. We're so pleased with such a difference!

We have noticed that he now doesn’t drink as much as he used to on normal formula. He drinks the first two ounces fine and then fusses and refuses to take any more. We wondered whether he doesn’t like the taste as the formula does have a strong strange smell to it.

Does anyone else have the same issue with the nutramigen formula?

It does have an odd taste. You can add vanilla essence or Nesquik to it to make it more appealing.

Yes it's common for babies not to like the taste of Nutrimagen. Our allergy specialist suggested Aptamil Pepti instead so you could ask the GP to prescribe that and see if baby takes it better?

@BunnyRuddington

It does have an odd taste. You can add vanilla essence or Nesquik to it to make it more appealing.

This is dreadful advice. Do not add anything to the milk.

In my experience the prescription formula is a lot thicker than the regular ones (and we've tried them all). We had to go up a teat size and check the teat regularly to make sure it wasn't blocked.

Our baby never took to the prescription stuff so we moved her onto NannyCare formula which is goat milk based. She really turned a corner after that so it might be worth a try?

How old is your baby?

This is dreadful advice. Do not add anything to the milk.

That’s the advice often given by Paeditricians and the Allergy Charities.

A significant number of babies with CMPA also react to goat's milk; the proteins are similar. It's worth a try but not a guaranteed solution.

@BunnyRuddington

This is dreadful advice. Do not add anything to the milk.

That’s the advice often given by Paeditricians and the Allergy Charities.

When prescribing dairy free milk to a baby with CMPA I don't believe a single allergy charity or Paediatrician would suggest adding something that contains milk.

Nesquik doesn't contain milk It's mainly sugar and cocoa powder. I wouldn't give it to a baby though, because of the sugar content.

I've seen vanilla essence suggested a lot, but never Nesquik!

How long has he been on the formula? It can take them a while to adjust to it.

And the advice to add vanilla or something to it, as BunnyRuddington mentioned, is very normal/common advice. Not sure why a PP reacted so strongly to that info!! I didn’t have to add anything thankfully as my two went on hypoallergenic formula at a few weeks old so accepted it pretty easily - but I happily would have if it meant they stayed full and healthy!

@NameChange30

Nesquik doesn't contain milk It's mainly sugar and cocoa powder. I wouldn't give it to a baby though, because of the sugar content.

I've seen vanilla essence suggested a lot, but never Nesquik!

You're absolutely right, my bad. I apologise.

When prescribing dairy free milk to a baby with CMPA I don't believe a single allergy charity or Paediatrician would suggest adding something that contains milk

I've had CMPA fir over half a century. I might just have some idea of what I'm talking about

@BunnyRuddington

When prescribing dairy free milk to a baby with CMPA I don't believe a single allergy charity or Paediatrician would suggest adding something that contains milk

I've had CMPA fir over half a century. I might just have some idea of what I'm talking about

Yep you're right! I'm lucky that my baby grew out of it by 1 year old so my knowledge is (thankfully!) limited.

I still suggest OP that you try a faster teat and maybe give NannyCare a go but as a previous poster quite rightly said some babies with CMPA still react to it. I know how stressful it can be when your baby won't drink much so good luck and I hope you find a solution soon.

So glad your LO grew out of it at a young age Roro

Sorry to hear you're having problems Heavingham. Two of my children have /had CMPA do I know how stressful it can be, especially at the beginning of the journey. Don't hesitate to go back to your GP/HV/dietician if you're worried about your baby's intake.
I just wanto caution against using goats' milk based formula. None of the evidence based guidelines for the diagnosis and management of CMPA recommend using goat milk. The proteins are so similar that most people who react to cows' milk will also react to goats'. In fact current guidance from the NHS, NICE and the British Dietetic Association amongst other credible sources all specifically state that goats' milk based formula is not suitable for CMP allergic babies, and the European Food Safety Authority has previously stated that there is no scientific evidence to support claims that allergic reactions are reduced in babies fed goats' milk formula. I'd suggest talking to a health care professional familiar with your baby before you change formula.
I hope things look up for you soon.

My daughter reacted badly to nutramogen as it isn’t 100% milk free (or at least it wasn’t 12 years ago). She had neonate. Anyway she started having it at 17 months and I mixed it with breast milk so she’d drink it. I gradually reduced the amount of breast milk. I hope your LO grows out of it. Sadly mine hasn’t.