HI,
I have an 8 month old little girl. About 3 months ago I stopped breast feeding and started formula, we noticed her stools got very runny. We have been back and forth to the doctor several times trying to take things out of her diet, testing her stool and having her blood tested because even when we switched to soy formula it did not stop. She is going to see a GI doc late June. BUT I have noticed something recently. Her stool did firm up, she acually was constipated this past week, so I switched from soy based formula to sensitive formula which is milk based and after being on it for 2 days she had runny stools again, so I am thinking now it is the formula. I dont want her to be consitpated or have runny stools is there someway to get her in the middle? Can you do everyother bottle with soy and milk based, is there a formula in the middle that might work? Just grasping for straws here, it has been a pretty frustrtating experience, any advice would be great, thanks?
Could you mix the two formulas together? That's what I would try. I know lots of moms say not to go back and forth between formulas, but I've fed both of my kids several types of formulas( whenever I get those free coupons, I've gotta use them!! :) ), and never have they had any problems with switching brands. So, if I were you, I would just combine them and see if that helps. Good luck to you!!
One option to try is a broken down protein formula that makes it easier to digest. Nestle has one called Good Start. It is a little more expensive but it is more easily digested by those who may be sensitive to milk. It is still a milk based formula and contains all the essential nutrients she needs.
Did her doctor eliminate a milk protein allergy? Did he test for a soy allergy? My granddaughter was allergic to both milk protein and soy.
I suggest that you want to stay with one formula for a period of time to allow her system to adjust to it. The constipation and diarrhea may not even be related to the formula.
When you say she was constipated what were her symptoms? Her system may have difficulty with a firm stool because she's had runny stools so often. I've read that the muscles that push the stool down and out can become weak. I would go back to the soy formula because her stool did firm up. Then if she did not have a bowel movement I would either use my lubricated finger (very short nail) or a lubricated gloved finger to help the poop come out or use a suppository to lubricate the passage.
My brothers all had difficulty with constipation back in the day before all of the helpful medical info. She helped them with their movements with her finger. My grandson also had constipation issues and just a few years back could not pass a stool and was in serious pain. An EMT helped him pass the stool with a gloved finger. This is a viable option.
Runny stools for a short term will not be a problem, unless you were told differently by her doctor, if they do continue. Just be sure that she does not become dehydrated. Constipation for a short period is also not harmful. I do think constipation is easier to deal with than diarrhea. At 8 months she can eat solids. If she is doing so and is constipated give her plenty of fruits and vegetables with fiber. Give her prunes and prune juice. Apple and grape juices are helpful. Crackers with fiber. No cheese or dairy products. no bananas. Avoid the foods on the BRAT diet. bananas rice, applesauce, and toast. These are foods to help with diarrhea so you could give them when she's having diarrhea.
If she's eating solid foods, change her diet rather than her formula.
My doctor advised me to take Florajen http://www.florajen.com for digestive problems. I've had amazing results. It is especially good after taking antibiotics.
