Breastmilk to Formula Transition

Have you reconsidered just going back to breastfeeding? I work full time too, and there are so many issues with different formulas and making bottles. Are you pumping? Sometimes that alone can get overwhelming. Once i quit pumping things seemed to feel less overwhelming. Best of luck to you!

hi L., that is quite a fast transition for a little one. i would recommend adding the breastmilk back if you can and slowly weaning her to formula. in the meantime you could try diluted prune juice to help her poo. if you don't want to go back to breastmilk then take out the cereal for awhile and see if the constipation goes away. if it doesn't then you know it's the formula and you need to switch. constipation is much more common in formula fed babes and the quick transition may just have been a shock for her body. good luck!

Have you considered going back to breastfeeding? The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a full year of breastfeeding. Your milk supply will return to adequate with a full day of nursing.

You might want to consider going back to breastfeeding--sounds like baby is very sensitive and it will be far more work to find a formula that will work. If you were having problems with nursing contact a La Leche League group for help.

Go back to square one: breastmilk only and let her body recuperate. Then try out a different kind of formula. There are so many on the market, even ones that are for sensitive babies. Then try again. Also, if you think that cereal is adding to her reaction to the formula, you can make sure by switching her back to breastmilk and just giving her cereal without giving her any kind of formula. That should tell you whether the cereal is part of this. I think, if you can deal with giving her just the breastmilk, keep her on it for another 3 months and then try again w/formula. Although, my son weaned himself at 10 or 11 month and would not take any type of formula period, so the pediatrician said that it was okay to try whole milk at his age (which then we found out that he is somewhat dairy intolerant and he drinks rice milk). She might be screaming when she poos b/c her skin is so irritated and hurts really bad when the poo touches her skin. Keep her diaper off as long as you can when changing her. You can try aquaphor and maalox (liquid): mix 1:1. The maalox will draw the acid out of the skin, while the aquaphor will soothe the skin. Works like a charm at our house. Also, ask your pediatrician about the formula and see if he/she can recommend a formula to you.

sounds like she's allergic to the formula...

give her probiotics (the cultures that make yogurt...) we have one called baby maxi dophilus that's great! it clears up diaper rashes and also helps the intestines do their job! it's a powder, you can mix it in with baby food.

Sounds to me like the screeching is from the poo hitting her sore skin. Use plenty of diaper creme on it to clear up the rash. As someone said, don't use diaper wipes out of the package. At least rinse them, or just use paper towels or wash cloths. Sitz baths are also good to give-soak her bottom in warm water, allow air-dry time also. If using a desitin type product, don't scrub it off when she poos. Leave it on, even with the poo on it as long as the poo isnt' touching her skin, it can come off in the bath later. Her rash may or may not be related to the change in her diet.
Good luck.
R.

Well I came to give my 2 cents, but I think Nicky S said it all!

Since going back to breast may not be what you want to do...I would make sure to use Similac or Enfamil since those are the best out there( my daughter did better with Similac) but once she was exclusively formula fed she did have a lot of constipation so we used a lot of Karo syrup to help her "go." I feel that the rash is probably something unrelated to the formula....

If her bottom is that bad, try using cornstarch. I know that sounds crazy, but my oldest son used to get the worst rashes to the point that it almost looked blistered and nothing worked, but cornstarch. We put it into an old seasoning bottle that had the bigger holes in it to make sure the powder didnt fly everywhere or up into the babies face. It worked wonders though. As for the formula, maybe she is allergic to it. I had to use soy for all four of my kids until they were a year old. I breastfed my twins until they were six months and then weaned them, but I did use formula with them as well because I couldnt feed them both all the time. I talked it over with the pediatrician and they recommended using soy milk instead of trying any medicines because of the age.

My friend's daughter had the same problem and ended up being allergic to the formula. She ended up with Nestle Good Start after none of the others seemed to work for her. It's stressful enough trying to wean off of breast milk, then trying to figure this out too. I feel for you. Good luck!

Take it from a Mom with a toddler that has chronic constipation, don't mess around with it! It could be an allergy to the formula. It is possible that she is sensitive to the milk or something in the formula. I may be wrong, but I don't think that laxatives are recommended for children that young. You may be able to try a suppository, but I'm not even sure on that. I literally JUST spoke with a pharmacist and she said that a lot of the children's laxatives are really harsh and can cause cramping. Not fun!! Perhaps do some research or call her doctor to be sure, but I'm betting it's a sensitivity to the formula. If it were me, I think I'd call the doc and see what he/she says. They may want you to switch to a soy based formula and see if that helps. Good luck! Like I said, I know it's no fun!

Be careful that the rash isn't a yeast infection. If diaper rash creams aren't clearing it up, check with your doctor. My daughter had lots of trouble with yeast infections when she was a baby. We had to use an OTC yeast infection cream to clear it up. If the rash is raised and very red, it likely is a yeast infection.

Another thing to consider is the diapers you use. Is she ready for the next size? The diapers we had been using for our daughter changed how they manufactured them at one point, and they were worthless afterwards. They didn't hold as much liquid, and she immediately got a HORRIBLE yeast infection. We switched diapers, and went up a size, and got things back under control.

Her body also only reacted well to Balmex for a normal diaper rash. I tried every diaper rash cream on the market, but for her, Balmex really was the only thing that worked if it wasn't a yeast infection. My son wasn't as sensitive, so every child is different.

It sounds like the diaper rash is the biggest issue. Maybe go back to as much breast milk as you're able to, and supplement with bottles if you're not producing enough milk. Then once you have the rash under control, try increasing the formula again.

Use corn starch on her rash and leave the diaper off as long as you can after you change it her little bottom needs fresh air and to be dry.The pure corn starch will dry up and heal her bottom in no time at all.
The formula is a shock to her system and she may not get used to it for awhile.The cereal should not constipate her at all.But if she is having that problem I would go with baby suppositories first, they are tiny and glycerin and painless.

It may be the diaper rash that is making her screech when she goes. It probibly hurts her little bum! I would treat that first and see if it gets better.

I don't think laxatives are safe for such a young baby. Try prune baby food. Or a bottle of apple juice. My baby will always poo good after green beans. Try any of these first before a harsh laxative.

I would suggest definately calling the doctor. Good luck to you and your baby!

Sounds like you have a lot of good advice on the breastfeed/formula. I am weighing in on the diaper rash.

PINXAV (pronounced pink salve)is AMAZING. They sell it at the Middletown Atrium hospital pharmacy (call MiddCare before you drive if you are local)or you can buy it online. It is a bit pricey but soooooo worth it. I "found" it when my 3 year old had an external yeats infection and would cry when she heard the sound of the disposable diaper tapes being removed. This stuff just stops it in its tracks. My 15 month old twins have never had a rash lasting more than 1 day (one day too long). First sign of a bit of red and its going on their bum. Just remember it is pink and when you open up the diaper, seeing pink for the first few times is a bit alarming...until you remember its the cream. Good luck!

Maybe soy formula? Also, for the rash (I'm sure have a favorite diaper rash cream), a nurse once told me to get a wipe & rinse it with warm water before wiping. Sometimes the wipes burn the rash ~ even the sensitive or unscented ones. I used to use a warm washcloth until a nurse made the above suggestion. Good luck!