Question About Similac Alimentum

Wow, 6 ounces per feeding for a 2 month old seems a lot! But then again, like you said, he is a big baby. My daughter is nearly 15 weeks old and is taking 5 ounces per feeding 5-6 times a day and has been on Alimentum since about a month old, once I realized she has severe acid reflux and possibly an intolerance to milk-based protein. So, since she's been on it for so long, it's hard to say if I ever noticed an increase. Probably a stupid question, but did you doublecheck to make sure you're mixing the proper amount? Perhaps he's just having a growth spurt and it's a coincidence? Sorry that I can't offer any real advice or input here....To me, sounds like you just have a healthy, growing boy.

Hello -

My 6 month old has been on Alimentum pretty much since birth due to severe reflux. We tried other formulas, but he spit up a lot and didn't want to eat. He does great on Alimentum. I'm guessing your baby wants to eat more with the Alimentum b/c it is not as uncomfortable or painful to eat, since it's easier to digest. I'd let your baby "tell" you how much he needs to eat, unless your pediatrian thinks he's over-eating. Has your doctor mentioned reflux at all? I only ask b/c if he has reflux and isn't on medication for it (our son takes Prevacid), you may want to ask your doctor about it. If your baby has reflux and isn't taking anything, there is a chance that his esophagus could get damaged from the acid. Not trying to scare you at all, you just might want to ask your pediatrician so they can prescribe something if necessary. It's totally controllable and our baby does great w/ the Prevacid b/c it tastes like kool-aid. Good luck!

J.

Lots of babies I know, including my son. When I started supplementing formula when I was at work, he wouldn't eat much put was still gaining some weight, but very gassy and then he got reflux, the works. We switched to this and he started eating what seemed like double. I talked to several moms and my pediatrician and the reason is that when you don't feel well you eat less, think about when your gassy. So now that he can eat without feeling bad, he eats until he's full. This is a good sign, he's finally feeling better.

Sounds like his stomach feels better so he is eating more..

My sons appetite did not increase after being put on Almentum. He ate 4oz every 2-3hrs for the longest time. He never was a huge eater but is of good size.Perhaps your sons appetite just increased because its time. Normally a childs appetite does increase as they get older, thats how its supposed to be. So it could just be coincidental. They say a baby cannot overeat, so feed him when he is hungry and he will be fine. I'd recommend frequent feedings over larger servings especially if he has digestion problems.

Two of my 3 girls were on Enfamil Nutramigen, which is the same as the Alimentum. I'm guessing your little boy wants to eat more on the Alimentum because it's a formula in which the milk proteins are all almost completely broken down. The baby's stomach doesn't have to work to break down the proteins and therefore, reduce the gas that's produced. It helps with babies who are especially gassy or who have milk allergies or a sensitivity to milk.

Because your little guy doesn't have to work to break down the proteins, the formula passes through the stomach faster and he won't feel full as long as he would with regular formula. That's probably why he wants more formula, so he can have the same "full" sensation he was feeling before. I wouldn't be surprised if he stops sleeping through night, or maybe starts needing 8 oz before bed. (that's what happened to my 8 month old!)

Good luck & look for formula coupons- that stuff is very pricey!

Hi S.. My 6 month old son has been on alimentum since he was 2 months old. He too seemed to eat a bit more on this than he did with the others. I wasn't worried about it in fact I felt he might be eatting more because it settled better for him. In otherwords I felt he might not have eatten as much of the other because it upset his belly. I wouldn't worry about it though. I have a big baby too and he is doing just great.
Oh on another note...as you know Alimentum is very expensive. I have been buying mine off of craigslist. Sometimes you have to search different areas (ex. Richmond always has a lot listed.) and I've been buying it for $10.00 a can! You can't beat that. You could also check with your ped. to see if you can get some free samples. I received 2 full cases of it for free from the drug rep. that visits my ped. Don't know, you might not be in the same tight financal situation I am and not need the money saving tips, but thought I'd share my thoughts in case.
~K.

i had to switch my daughter at 4 months of age from similac adv. to alimentum because of poor drinking. once in alimentum she drank great and started gaining weight. i was told alimentum is easier on their digestive system. she stayed on alimentum until 12 months. best choice i made for her. you didn't explain why the switch happened. but if he's drinking it i say give it to him. it's more expensive but so worth it.
good luck

Hi S.!
I've been there too. My son has severe reflux and milk/soy allergy/intolerance.
Have a couple of questions for you...
Is his spitting up getting better on the Alimentum?
Could he be overfed and spitting up because of that?
Does he scream or seem like he's in pain because of the spitting up?
A little about my situation. My son was nursed for 7wks until I realized that he had a milk/soy issue but the whole time he wanted to eat constantly and then would spit up. We tried all the formulas and nothing made the spitting up go away. He was always uncomfortable and screamed day and night. When we saw the GI dr. he said that he was eating more to compensate for pain associated with the reflux. My son too is huge. He's now 7mos and weighs a whopping 23lbs. We really overfed him in the beginning:)) oops!!!!
My suggestion to you is feed him less and more often if he's spitting up still otherwise if he tolerates the 7oz every4-5hrs go for it.
Best of luck.
S.

Babies go through growth spurts about every two months for a good while - if he's at 2 months I'd say most likely he is going through one. If he is doing ok on the formula then give it to him if he's hungry. Babies don't eat like we do - just because - if he's chunky now when he starts walking he'll thin out. Plus - I'd say if your doctor isn't too concerned about his weight right now then I wouldn't be either. My oldest was on Nutramigin when she was an infant and my youngest Alimentum - ours was due to allergies though. Stop stressing over it - if he's a happy baby then you have it figured out :0) Nothing worse than listening to a baby crying because their tummy hurts.