2-Month Old Has Bad Bms

While switching is not good, it may not be the cause either. My daughter went through the same thing, and we had her on the same formula from day 1. Her grandmother advised adding a little dark karo syrup to her bottles, and that helped.

Another thing I wanted to suggest, is contacting WIC. You may qualify for assistance on getting formula. I qualified with both of my children, and got 9 cans of formula per month. It's definitely worth a try!!

Teething can cause Diarrea and the drooling also is a tale tale sign of teething. My son started teething at 3 months old. Also, it sounds like the formula might be causing the baby to have gas. Have you ever tried Mylacon drops to relieve the gas pains? I had this same problem with both my kids and Mylacon always helped instantly. Hopefully this will help some.

Stick with only one formula that is the biggest thing! i know my daughter gets bad bowel movement if we have to switch formulas. the drool thing is normal. my baby did that around the same age. i think its just another step toward growing

Hi, R..

Best of luck with this. I know how hard this is. When our 21-month-old son was about 9 days old, we went through something similar. We consulted with the pediatrician and switched him to a ready to feed formula. Yes, it is expensive, but it was better. Despite the fact all formulas have the same nutritional value, the consistency is what is different in the ready to feed versions versus powder. The RTF is easier to digest, too.

We were told we could try and switch him to powder whenever he was older --- tried, and it never worked. However, on the RTF, he did a million times better. So, we just kept him with it.

Also, when he was about two months old, I put about 2 tablespoons of cereal in his bottle (avent makes a nipple that has the ability to change the flow --- there are three lines on it - one is for slow flow, two is for faster flow and three is for fastest flow.) That way, I didn't have to "cut" any nipple. But, you might consult with the pediatrician before adding rice cereal to a bottle.

One more idea --- you might try switching the baby's bottle. I used the avent with our younger one, and he did good. I have also heard good things about the Dr. Brown's bottles.

Also, ask your pedi for formula samples. Most peds get a lot and are glad to share. Also, like another mom suggested, I wouldn't switch formulas -- find one and stick to it.

In addition, call the manufacturer of the baby formula and ask for more coupons. Most of the time, they'll give them to you. Also, they sometimes have people on call who can give you advice on what formulas to try, etc. Most of the folks are super nice and more than willing to help whenver they can.

Ultimately, I think you should consult with your pediatrician and get medical advice on this. Babies shouldn't have to hurt.

Good luck!

Hi R.-
I would definitely check with your pediatrician. When we weaned our son from breastmilk to formula and then later from formula to whole milk it was a very gradual process. This was recommended by our pedi. as there tummies are very sensitive. We mixed 3/4 of the current milk with 1/4 of the new milk for a few days and then 1/2 of each and so on. I believe our pedi recommended doing it over at least a 2 week period. There tummies need time to adjust. If we had switched formulas I would expect to do the same thing. Of course maybe you did this and she still has sensitivities to certain things in the formula. I'm no expert. Hope she is doing better soon. G.

I agree, switching formula is probably pretty tough on your little one. Even though its expensive, find one that works and stay with it. Its not worth the small amount you may save moneywise. To get the most for you money, you can use the coupons at Sam's Club and you actually get the larger cans of formula that are not available in typical grocery stores. While wholesale clubs do not normally take coupons, they do accept the ones for formula.

The bad BM can also be the result of a stomach virus, my 15 week old son just spent four days with diarrhea and the pediatrician was able to give me a Similac soy formula especially for diarrhea. While my little one takes Similac Advance normally, the change to the soy didn't affect him and I immediately switched him back to his regular formula once he overcame the bug. The soy is supposed to be easier for a baby to digest. But you should definitely give your little one time to adjust to one formula and then stick with it.

Definitely call your pediatrician if it continues, its what they are there for. I called the nurse at my pediatrician's office everyday until my son overcame the bug.

Good luck!

She needs to stay on the same formula so she stays consistant and you might try mylecon drop, little tummies anti gas drops, or the target brand infant gas drops (we prefer these they are the cheapest only like 3.00 a bottle vs 7-10 with other brands and it works just as well)

also a hot water bottle or "hot sock" (take a tube sock and fill with dry rice and tie at the end. then heat it for about 30 seconds or until preferred heat and put on babys tummy over clothing or blanket. this also helps them to fall asleep put it under blanket for warmth. you can also use this for dogs and puppies to keep them warm in there beds)

any way, not sure if that helps... AJ

R., keep with only one formula. Babies have a sensitive system and the formula switching will most likely cause tummy aches and diarrhea. When we discharge a baby from the hospital, some nurses/doctors assume that you'll just stick with the same formula without educating much on the need to stick to the same formula, which is unfortunate. If your baby is not allergic or have some kind of an adverse reaction to the formula, stay with that formula for the entire term that your baby will be on formula. I hope that helps. I hope your baby will feel better. Speak to your pediatrician...call them. Best to you.

formula switching can get complicated. have you told your ped that you are switching so often? some babies can handles switches, and some cannot. ask your ped if their office has any samples you can have of the SAME product. it is really hard on their tummies to switch back and forth so often. good luck. hope your baby girl gets it all worked out!

quit switching the formulas...there is a difference in them...she needs only one kind for now...talk to your doc they are very helpful w/ this...my nine month old...only does well w/ enfamil lipil...we tried the cheaper brand at walmart for awhile and she spit up bad and did not sleep well...so we went back to enfamil...she has been great ever since...my baby i swear come out drooling though she did not cut teeth til almost 6 mos...please contact me if you have anymore questions and let me know your out come w/ this

Hi, R.. I didn't have experience with formulas, I breastfed my now 3yo baby girl for 1,5 yaers, but for the first 6 months her BM was always loose. My pedi told me it was normal and would change once solids take place and it did. Also there were a few times that she would cry for a couple hours nonstop without any visible reason, I thought she was gassy and started her on infants' gas drops and you wouldn't believe what a difference it made. Massage was also very helpful. Try massaging her tummy and then bend her legs and touch her knees to the tummy, do it several times and most likely she'll pass gass :)Good luck.
E.

Switching is not good for the baby. It'll upset their tummy. Did you try nursing? It's cheaper and won't cost as much. After 2 months you might be dried up, but the La Leche League and others could advise you on that one.

I'd tell the pediatrician that you're strapped for cash, as they often get lots of samples, or know where a bunch of free samples are available and they would be able to give you all the same kind.

Otherwise, you're going to have an awful time with your baby's tummy.

it sounds like teething to me! my daughter is starting to do the same thing and i breastfeed. My oldest daughter was formula fed and she also did this at the same age and a month later we had a tooth. just give her some orajel and tylenol and make sure to have those teething toys cold and within reach. good luck

It's hard to know the exact cause, but I can say it's never good to switch formulas, at least not without easing off one to the next (mixing them w/ gradually different amounts.) Could be the lactose--diarrhea is a major symptom of lactose intolerance. Also, the protien in the formula differs from brand-to-brand--the Carnation brand did the best for my daughter, but that was 10 years ago and there's lots more options out there now. Talk to your dr., or even call the 800 number on the formula can--those folks are really helpful. Drooling is normal now; it's part of the body's protection from all the foreign matter baby likes to "taste" like fingers, toys, toes, etc. You're learning--it's definitely hands-on training!

Hi R., I have a four month old. My daughter went through the same thing. I had no idea what to do either because my first daughter was nothing like this. I contacted her pedi, they recommend Enfamil Gentlease. It is for babies with fussiness or gas. The Gentlease helped her a lot, but she was still hungry every two to three hours. She was up to 8 ounces too. I also tried Enfamil A.R., is has the cereal pre-mixed in the formula. That was to strong though, she was the worst when it came to having bm. Her pedi recommend using cereal. She would not even touch the soy milk. So we finally stuck with the Gentlease and using the rice cereal in the bottles. She also has the bubbles and drooling. Her bottom tooth and I guess you can call them her canines are coming in.

I've always tried to stick to the same formula, but I have never really heard one way or the other if that would cause problems or not. I will say though, that I have never seen a baby do very well on Similac. That used to be what we got from WIC, but WIC changed to Enfamil or something similar. Is there any way that you can get on WIC? I would stongly suggest it if you can. You can qualify for WIC sometimes when you can't qualify for anything else. Also, call any of the food banks that may be in or near your area, and see if they have any baby food and formula, or if they can help you with a voucher or something. Apply for everything that you can find, and don't be shy. When you get on your feet, then you will be able to return the favor for somebody else.

You need to find a formula that works and stick with it vs switching around. If she has been on Similac Advance for almost three weeks and has been OK up to now, I'd be surprised if it is the formula you are using is upseting her tummy now but I guess anything is possible. If she is gassy, you might try some gas drops at the time she feeds. I'd recommend you call your pedi and voice your concern and see what he recommends particularly if the diaherea continues. If she was having diaherea, she may be feeling some burning as she has a BM. Be sure you are using a good diaper rash creme.

It isn't good to keep switching formula. If you are strapped for cash and you are looking for something decent. Carnation make a formula that my children loved. (I breast fed all of the time but my husband did like preparing the pumped milk.) The kids took to it like they did the breast milk.

I do agree with the others who said that switching back and forth is not good for little ones tummy. They have such sensitive digestive systems right now. I would give it more than 3 weeks on one formula before thinking of switching again. When we were doing food allergy stuff with my then 3 month old my pedi told us to give any new item a good 2 months before completely ruling it out. So, if you can get through it try giving it a little bit longer...as long as little one is not in extreme pain. You might try laying her tummy down on a warm towel (fold over and microwave for 15-20 seconds at a time till it's warm enough) whenever you notice the tummy pains...that really helped my oldest son when he was little.
Regarding the drooling...I have ALWAYS thought that drooling was a sign of teething...UNTIL...I asked the pediatrician about it at his 6 month check-up b/c I was still seeing no sign of teeth at all. She said that at about 3 months all babies start salivating more to prepare for the new foods they will start eating at month 4. The saliva actually helps to break the food down so it's easier to digest! She said it's only a sign of teething when it is accompanied by a fever and a bit of fussiness on the babies part. Very interesting, huh? So, no worries on that one! Good luck and remember that you are your childs best and only advocate...if you FEEL like something is wrong than go with your intincts. Kudos to you for seeking out advice...It never hurts to get a second, third or fourth opinion!

I think switching back and forth on the formula got her to a bad start, even though you are now staying with one kind, maybe she's feeling the affects now. Remember that their digestive system is fragile and it just started to regulate so anything will affect them. I would put a call thru her pediatrician just to make sure...It's very painful for a baby when they have gas. I have assisted my babies by gently pushing their knees up to their chest and releasing and doing it several times - it would assist in passing their gas/bm.
good luck and call your pedi...it never hurts to do so.

I would for sure contact the pediatrician. I was going to do the same thing with using all of the free samples. My son's pedi. said no. To stick with one formula and do not switch because IT COULD HURT THEIR TUMMY'S. Not that you are the only one who has ever done this. I am sure your baby is fine. It is good that you are sticking with one now. I bet he is teething, but I would call the pedi. I always felt like I was bothering them for such silly things, but remember that is what they get paid for. I always went by what my sons pedi. said, not my friends pedi. because he is the one taking care of my son. I also went off of my instincts a bit since I was the one spending 24/7 with him. His pedi. did NOT want me to use those homeopathic teething tabs you get from the store, but they were so wonderful and helped him so much, I used those anyways. Good luck to you.

Hi R.,

My son did the same thing. Cried as he passed his BM. I even had a little blood in his. I took him to the dr about a week or so later and he said your baby should never cry when he is passing his BM. I felt sooo badly! But, you learn as you go. He immediatly put him on the lactose free. It is more expensive, but it is worth it. He never cried again. I have twins and the dr. said to just give it to both of them as two types of formula was a lot to think about at the time. She did fine on it and they drink normal whole milk all the time now (2 1/2 years old now). It could be something different, but the patterns of the formula you are using seems like the formula might be doing it. Each situation is different, but this might give you some ideas.

BTW - my son was about the same age as your child when it happened

S.

This response comes from a grandmother of 7 all of them outside the baby stage. I am a preschool director at my church. R., I would suggest you consult your doctor. He may be able to give you better advice on the BMs. It may be the formula, both that you have mentioned are milk based (I believe). Perhaps she needs soy or another non-milk based formula.

As far as the drooling & bubbling are concerned I do think that she is beginning to teeth. Each child has a different time table on which to grow and develop.

It is prob. all the switching on the formulas, but i do know when my son was having all those problems he was allergic to milk, so the doc. switched his formula and he was fine. but i would ask the pedi for any samples and get on wic they give you around 9 cans of milk a month, very helpful. Hope the problem gets fixed soon. Good Luck

I guess breastfeeding did not work? Certainly the most healthy. There really is no good substitute for breastmilk no matter how effective their advertising. If it continues to be a problem, I would check into www.westonaprice.org and Sally Fallon's Nourishing Traditions. They have homemade receipes for baby formula/food that would call for real (raw) milk from pasture-fed cows, goats. Your baby would be very happy following such a diet, but it takes more time and effort than store-bought formula.

I have an almost four month old. We have switched her to the Enfamil Gentlease. It seems so much easier on her tummy. If you are going to switch to a different formula, trying gradually mixing them together to ease the transition. My daughter also drools a lot. She has found her hands and chews on them (as well as anything else she can get into her mouth).

Hi R.,
I read a suggestion to add something to the milk, you should never do this. Please beware as this may hurt your little one. The symptons you describe also sound like teething to me but I am not a pediatrician.
As for gas, this is a funny suggestion considering what I just said but Gripe water (you can find it in Indian and sometimes Arabic stores). You can buy it online but it is pretty expensive anyway, only about a teaspoon! Only. This does not replace any meal, just whenever they seem like they need it.

Good luck!

It may just be the formula switching. These are also symptoms of teething. At 2 months though, I would be surprised if she is getting a tooth, but it could happen. I know when I switched my son from breast milk to formula it did a number on his tummy. I would suggest you go on ahead and contact the pedi to make sure it isn't something more serious and also stick with similac. If u need financial assistance with formula, I would suggest you also look into WIC. I use them and they now give out Similac.

I have a 10 month old baby and he is having the same diarreah problems with the Similac. We recently switched to Similac and had problems ever since. He has such bad diaper rash right now that it is very painful to watch!

I wouldn't worry about the drooling. That comes with the stage that your baby is at. My soon started to drool about that time and is still drooling to this day and no teeth!