BabyWhispererForums.com
EAT => Food Allergies => Topic started by: We Three on February 06, 2007, 18:34:12 pm
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Hi girls...we are freaking out over here.....
My 5 week old daughter has been spitting up alot, and it seems to be getting worse every day. She has also begun fussing while feeding, arching her back, crying. (she is bottle fed, although not by choice...long story)
She was on similac since birth, but we took her to the dr. with these complaints and of course they want to do meds...we're just not ready for that. We switched her to "nestle good start" because several friends had told us it was much more tolerable...no rea;l change. Now she has a very angry looking rash all along the back of her neck and sides of her throat...seems to be creeping onto her face. I am out of my mind.
Dr says reflux, and that we should switch to soy...but I am so scared (there are some lethal food allergies in my family, and I know these formulas make that more likely later on) and our holistic dr. says it was the similac, and to stick witrh the nestle and this will stop.
I am terrified to switch to soy....equally as terrified of medication...she's just so little! How can I decide? I just don't know what to do...I am a first-timer, obviously.
If we do make the switch, which one is the least deviation from milk-base? Our dr said prosobee is closest to milk base, but I just looked it up, and it is soy as well.
Please help...I am crying as much as she is!!!
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Could be a milk intolerance give the rash. You might want to try a hypoallergenic formula like Alimentum. If after two weeks on that she isn't better I'd highly recommend seeing a GI doctor and possibly going on reflux meds - they made a HUGE difference here.
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Alimentum worked fabulously at our house - expensive as can be, but worth it's weight in gold, in my opinion!
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Thanks so much....but how do you know what the problem is? Milk protein vs. lactose vs. whatever. I am just so scared of the soy formulas...I have seen older kids have tremendously deadly food allergies because of them. My Ped. says that is because the soy based doesn't really "ready" the system for other foods because its so gentle. I am just so scared to start on this roller coaster. What about what the holistic dr. said abotu just waiting it out, and that this new formula will take care of it? How long until you'd see a result? Seems to me we should see improvement right away, no?
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I have twin 3 month olds (adjusted age 1.5 months) and they were doing what your LO is doing. The rearing back, fussiness,excessive crying can drive one insane. Both girls were diagnosed with severe acid reflux. they both take Prilosec and it is making a huge difference. They are completely different babies. I also was so scared to put the babies on medication. I wanted to wait it out but they need to eat and sleep in order to grow so I gave in. I would do whatever you can or whatever your pediatrician suggests to help your baby especially regarding allergies. It is certainly frustrating that our LO's can't tell us what is wrong! good luck!
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Anne right? Baby is Ameila?
We talked a while ago when you were starting easy and I just wanted to send you some HUGS.
Unfortunatly it is hard to know what the problem is. Most is trial and error right now. Talk to your doc he knows Amelia and will be able to give the best advice.
Good Luck
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First, I want to give you a huge hug. I know exactly what you are going thru. My son was exactly like that and finally at two months he was diagnose with acid reflux. He was put on Zantac until he was 9 months, then another med (too long name to remember) for two months. He is now 12 months and hasn't been sick in over a month. Walking and becoming more mobile help with the healing of the problem.
Taking Zantax, helped eased his pain and he started eating better too. It is a hard decision to make but once you see your daughter feeling better and eating better it's all worth it.
I do suggest you stay on Nestly good Start, if you take the one with Omega 3 & 6, it's doesn't froth as much and I noticed he didn't have as much gases (both ends) with this one.
Big hugs again. Marty
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We didn't have any luck with Good Start and if the problem is milk intolerance, you likely won't either - unfortunately. Lactose intolerance is quite uncommon in babies - cow's milk intolerance is much more common (and likely given the rash you've described). As Tonya said, Alimentum was a lifesaver for us - and Pepcid helped greatly too - some babies need more than Zantac/Pepcid. IMO I'd start with a 2 week trial of Alimentum and then try meds if necessary after that. Have you checked out the reflux section of this site? Another good forum is www.infantreflux.org - they have a great message board too.
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Thank you all so much...and yes, Mom of Claire...it's me! Seems that that problem of her spitting out the binky was in fact her trying to spit up. Her reflux was pusing it out of her mouth.
I simply do not undertsnad the difference with reflux and allergies. Reflux is anatomical...when the esophogeal sphincter does not close all the way, allowing food to come back up. This is different from the excessive spitting up that a baby will have if theyt are allergic.
I just don't undertsnad why Dr is reccomending meds if this is an allergy!! Meds make the body make less acid, so that when she spits up, it isn't acidic, so it won't burn her throat. This seems counter-productive to me. I just have no interest in giving her meds for reflux if the reason she is so miserable is NOT reflux, but an allergy. Why does doc seem to be wanting to traet for both? Switching formula is something you would do for allergies....meds are for reflux...I am sick to my stomach and my baby is hurting.
If she has reflux, then she is going to spit up constantly no matter what...
From what I'm reading online, soy based is the way to go...
You are all so kind...and thanks for the hugs...boy do I need one!!! I just feel so badly for her, I feel like she is trusting me to help her, and I just don't know what to do.
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OK, reflux IS an anatomical issue BUT it can be made worse/spurred on by allergies and intolerances. So your DD may have reflux but it may or may not be aggravated by the formula. Getting her on hypoallergenic formula may help her spit up less and/or hurt less. Some babies are "happy spitters" and that is fine but if she is fussing while feeding, arching, crying, etc it would indicate pain and acidic spit. And yes, if a formula change is not enough you would want meds to help with that - as you said, she would still spit up but at least it wouldn't burn her esophagus. You certainly can try the soy, but keep in mind that up to 50% of babies with a cow's milk intolerance/allergy have a problem with soy too - hence why I generally recommend the Alimentum (or Nutramigen) instead.
Good luck and definitely keep us posted!
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AHHH Anne. Things will be ok. I am unsure about all of that as I didn't have a reflux baby. Doc probably isn't for sure if it is reflux or allergy being that Amelia can't tell him. He prob just wants to cover all bases to make her more comfortable you know. I agree with PP check out reflux section of this site. I am sure there are people who have exp with this.
GOOD LUCK sweetie!
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Im sorry your are going through this, it sounds just how my dd was and she turned out to have reflux and was on medication.
I had to raise the head of her matteress so the stomach acid did not burn her throat.
If you are not happy go and see another dr.
I can say the reflux board is very helpful.
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Hi hun I posted some info and links on your other thread about this. Hope it helps some, big hugs.
Zoe
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Oh my Gosh...
Thank you so much...I just don't know what to say to everyone for your help and advice.
I think we're going to wait through the night...her rash is disappearing, so I'm praying that the holistic Dr. was right, and that this is not a food allergy or reflux (hoping against hope).
Kinesiology tells us that our baby's body just didn't sgree with Similac, and that the Good Start would eliminate these issues. I thought it was crazy, but now that her rash is almost gone I'm not so sure.
Love to you all.....and a million thanks.
I'm sure I'll "see" you tomorrow!
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Hugs again, I hope you don't need to go the med way and that the nestly good start will clear it all up.
Marty