Hi moms! I have a question thats been going around and around in my head and I figured I would finally ask and see what other moms have experienced. A few weeks ago I decided to be a stay at home mom while my boys are little and quit my job. Of course with that we made some cutbacks. I decided to try the costco brand (kirkland) baby formula instead of the Enfamil we were feeding our boys as it was 50% cheaper. The nutrition content is very simliar so I am not worried, however, ever since making this change 2 1/2 weeks ago (please excuse the graphic nature here) thier poop has become pretty green. Its not dark green....its more a greenish yellow...if you smear it it looks yellow, but in large concentrations it looks green. With my one boy the formula doesnt seem to bother him any even though his poop has changed. My other son seems to spit up quite a bit more and I have a hard time getting him to finish his bottles some days. Also since the change hes turned from a once a day pooper to a every two to three day pooper. Hes not constipated and when it does come its a little greener than his brothers and its fairly watery...kind of like the consistency of a pureed baby food. Overall he seems pretty happy though. I have an appointment with their pediatrician next week for their 4 month checkup and I will ask him about it. Has anyone had a similar experience? Do you think this is hurting them at all? Should I switch back? If I can save the money I want to, but I do not want to compromise them at all.
(just as a PS for those moms that feel the need to give me a lecture about breastfeeding, please dont feel the need to post...at this point in time formula feeding is all I can do)
We ended up going back to enfamil and once we did that everything went back to normal. I guess their little tummies just dont like the costco brand or the similac brand.
Hi Kim! I too gulped when I started to supplement with fromula about the costand I too compared labels. From what I could see, the Target brand and Emfamil are very similar also, so I am using this. You might give the Target a try, it's like $13 a can compared to Emfamil at $25. My 5 mo old seems to like it fine compared to breastmilk, and she is getting both, so no issues going back and forth.
Perhaps you need to use another formula. It may not be agreeing with their bodies. The "green" poop is often because of the iron content in formula. But this is a necessary vitamin at this age to prevent anemia and is in most formulas. Yes, I have tried Kirkland formula too... but my son did not have this problem with it. He likes it, and we had no unusual reactions to it, and my Doc said it was fine... the ingredients are almost identical to the more expensive "name" brands.
Keep in mind, that for babies, the consistency of "poop" is NOT like adults. For babies, it should be or is usually about the consistency of oatmeal or cream of wheat. Not runny though. Even in toddlers it's this way. This is what I was told by a Pediatric Gastroenterologist. If it's harder than that, or in firm balls...then that is constipation.
Ask your Pediatrician though.
Take care, and all the best to you as a SAHM... it is a precious time and experience. I too am a SAHM. Even though it means we don't have as much money... I wouldn't trade it for the world.
Good luck
~Susan
www.cafepress.com/littlegoogoo
Hi Kim,
I just want to start off by saying that any mom on here who gives you a hard time about not breastfeeding should not be on here. Every situation is different and with twins..wow. I did not stick with breastfeeding and had similar problems just finding a formula that worked. Anyways, the kirkland brand DID NOT do well with my daughter! Within 9 hours of having a bottle of that formula she was having really bad gas and stomach issues. The great thing about costco is that I was able to return it without any problems. As far as the poop thing..I think two a day is good. my daughter usually has 3-4 poops and they always were different. I will add that costco does carry the similac advanced formula at a really GREAT deal you can still save with that. Good Luck
I have heard its pretty tuff on their tummys. Maybe stick with the one that was working until they are about 6 mos. old, when their tummys are a bit stronger, then try switching again after they are eating cereal. Just a thought!
It sounds like it's not sitting well with your children, especially the one who tends to spit up more. It might not be the nutrients, but the fillers that are being used. I would try to find another area to cut back... you might try using WIC if you qualify since your husband is paying in to it then you can get either similac or enfamil, plus milk and cheese...maybe some other things too. If you don't qualify then, like I said, choose another area to cut back on.
Hi Kim...I have a 6-week-old and feed him from the breast and bottle with formula. Breastfeeding alone just didn't work out for me, but as long as our children our healthy and happy, it's all good to me. Kirkland didn't go over very well with my son either, but maybe you can save some money by using Kirkland for the son that isn't having any problems with it and use Enfamil for your other son. It won't save as much money as you were wanting but it will save some. Your pediatrician will be able to give you the best advice overall. Good luck!
