My 19.5 week old LO switched to soy formula about 2 weeks ago. Prior to that she had been using Good Start, but was incredibly gassy and would not poop for 2-3 days at a shot, which made her so uncomfortable. She was mostly bf until I went back to work 5 weeks ago (had only 1 bottle a day), then for 4 weeks had 3 bottles a day (50-50 formula and bm), and for the past week is having all bottles with 75-25 formula to bm). I am weaning bfeeding so only have enough bm in the freezer to last about another week.
She did great on the soy for the first week or so, was pooping regularly and not nearly as gassy or fussy. However, over the past 3-4 days, she has really been straining to poop, and the little that has come out each day has been very thick. I've been reading that soy can be constipating, plus I'm sure now that she has been getting more formula than bm, that is contributing to the problem.
Before trying the soy, I tried Alimentum, but she gagged it up and would not really take it. I'm not sure if I should try to relieve the constipation with the soy formula (which is bound to get worse within the next week or so as we go to 100% formula), or if I should try to switch her to the Alimentum again. I'm running out of bm to mix it with (which has helped when introducing formula in the past), so appreciate any wisdom/experience anyone has to offer. My LO has silent reflux and is on meds for it so it is under control.
Also, can anyone recommend how to relieve the constipation based on experience? I'm worried she will never sleep tonight because she is so uncomfortable.
Thanks much!
Dee