Formula/Gas

Updated on January 18, 2008
S.W. asks from Flower Mound, TX
11 answers

I have been feeding my 9 week old son Nestle formula for the past 5 weeks. He has had a problem with constipation and gas since he was born. However, he no longer has the constipation problem. He has not been constipated for over a week and a half. But, I have noticed that the gas has not improved and has even gotten a bit worse. I am wondering if I should try another formula. He rarely spits up so I seem to think that the formula agrees with him. The last time I went to the pediatrician she told me to stick with the same formula. She and others have told me that people are too quick to switch to another formula. Please give me your opinion. We got to the pedi for his shots on Friday. So, I will discuss it again with her. Thanks for your help!

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J.H.

answers from Dallas on

I had a similar problem and I switched to the organic soy formula from nestle and he seemed to do great with that. At six months I switched to a regular organic Similac and he didn't have any issues at that point.(I think that the soy is what helped the gas and digestive issues, its just an added bonus to go organic)Good luck!

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G.F.

answers from Dallas on

My baby girl had horrible gas and I was breastfeeding. She wasn't constipated and she didn't spit up but the gas made her scream day and night. I took all the dairy out of my diet and it still didn't help as well as taking all spicy foods etc out that I thought could be causing it. Pedi suggeted that I try a lactose free formula just to see...I tried that and soy and nothing made it better. Finally I tried Enfamil's Nutramigen, it's supposed to help with colic and babies with milk allergy (milk allergy is different than lactose intollerant). By the second bottle of that formula we could see a difference in her and she was so much happier and hasn't had a problem with gas ever since. Might be something you want to try. I hate the price of the Nutramigen but anything to help her feel better and the rest of us to keep our sanity.

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M.G.

answers from Dallas on

hi S.
i also had alot of problems with my sons formula. he was on enfamil and gas an constipation. i switched him to similac advance without asking the pediatrician and it cleared him up. since then i havn't had an issue with gas, constipation, and the burp ups are rare.i swear by the similac so you might want to take it into consideration.

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E.C.

answers from Dallas on

Hi S.,
Before switching formulas, I too would recommend trying the infant gas drops if you haven't already. Some babies are just naturually gassy, my own pediatrician has tried every formula for her son and she says nothing has helped him either. My son is on Similac Advance and experienced a lot of gas around your son's age, but its tapered off considerablly now that he is 18 weeks. I use infant gas drops pretty regularly in the evening because they work quickly, especially after his last bottle and before he goes to bed. I have used Mylicon, but its pretty expensive, so I switched to the generic brand they sell at Walgreens and it works just as well, for about 1/2 the cost. Its at least worth a try before switching formulas that may risk increasing the constipation and spit up again.

Good luck!

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J.D.

answers from Dallas on

I second the lactose free. My baby girl is now on the Target brand of the Enfamil lactose free formula and she is doing much better. I also strain her formula. I was finding that the powder didn't always disolve completely when shaken. For some reason the stirred and strained formula has reduced her gas and spit ups. I use a loose tea stir stick to strain the formula into the bottles.

Good luck!

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J.S.

answers from Dallas on

I had to use lacto-free formula with both of my kids--neither have a problem with lactose intolerance now, but it just seemed the Enfamil Lacto-free was easier on their bellies in the beginning. Enjoy your baby boy!

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M.F.

answers from Dallas on

You can probably find a lactose-free version of the same brand you're using. Everything about the formula is the same, just without the lactose, which can cause gas.

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M.G.

answers from Dallas on

I have a 4 month old. We had problems similar to yours. We ended up on a Soy formula (Similac Isomil Advanced) and she wasn't constipated but she still has *STINKEY* gas, but it doesn't hurt her. At 9 weeks we would occasionally give her Mylicon (per the peditirician) to help with the gas. Digestive issues get a lot better at 13 weeks... it's like a magic button.

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J.P.

answers from Houston on

Hey Stacey!

My son had terrible gas when he was born (and reflux). Lots of reasons why but it usually is assocaited with immature bellys and intestines and they are usually in the horizontal position so it makes it hard for the gas to work itself out - no gravity). Try Mylacon - it does wonders and is totally inert. If that doesn't work, it maybe the formula and his inability is brake down cow's milk protiens (they are tuff to break down in allotta babies)so they kinda ferment in his digestive tract. My son had this problem and went from Elecare ( no cow's milk protiens) to Nutramegan (very, very broken down cow's milk). But try the mylacon first - it is a wonder drug!!!! AND VERY SAFE!

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M.B.

answers from Houston on

Try giving your baby Mylicon or Little Tummies Gas Relief Drops. They are safe to give at every feeding and it really helps. We had to take a bottle of it with us everywhere when our son was younger because he was very gassy with every formula. We still use it every now and then, but he isn't really gassy anymore.

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T.C.

answers from Dallas on

I'm having the same problem with my 9week old, very gassy. I've tried Similac Sensitive (lactose free), Soy formulas and now we are trying the Enfamil Gentle Ease. He has experienced some comfort although the gas is not completely gone. His pedi says it's normal and good to have gas but it just seems to hurt him sometimes to get it out.

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