Follow on Formula causing Gas

[* Paula *]

I have just recently switched DS onto Cow and Gate Next Steps Stage 4 Formula for 9 months +.  The problem that I am having is that it is giving him a lot of gas.  Is this normal?

I am also finding that due to the fact that it is a lot creamer than the Stage 1 which he was on - he is having difficulty getting it out of the bottle.  I have made 2 slits in the fast flow teat which are quite big and he is still having problems getting it out and is now drinking less than he used to due to the fact that he is getting bored.

Do you think it would be ok if I went back to the Stage 1 formula?

Thanks for your help.

[Leah's Mom]

My DD had a terrible reaction to the stage two formula. Gas and constipation etc. I went back to stage one. My ped said to just stay on stage one. I would switch back if it is causing problems.

[* Paula *]

Hi Christine,

Thanks for your advice - we have switched back to stage 1 and DS seems a lot happier - he is not getting any gas. 

What age would you suggest stopping the formula - Do you switch completely to cows milk at 1 years or do you carry on formula ?

Thanks for your advice.

[Leah's Mom]

We stopped formula all together and went to cow's milk at one year. Leah was a great eater, so I didn't worry about her not getting enough of the essential vitamins etc. 

[* Paula *]

Hi Christine,

Did she like the taste of cows milk?  When you switched her onto Cows milk - did you just replace her bottles with it?

Tom is a very good eater, so I am not too worried either, but have just been curious.

Thanks for your advice.

[Leah's Mom]

I actually started cow's milk at 11 months, as per my pediatrician just in her sippy with meals. It took her about a month to actually start drinking the milk from her sippy. She did like the taste, something different than water I guess. That was all we gave her previously in her sippy (she didn't like formula in it and we rarely offer juice) We continued formula in her bottles till 12 months. At 12 months, we were on two bottles a  day - morning and night. By this time I knew she was not allergic or didn't have any reactions etc to milk so I switched both bottles. I warmed the bottles up and she never even knew they weren't her formula! 

[* Paula *]

Thanks for that advice - I do think that I am going to start introducing it slowly and see how Tom takes it.

He is currently only on 2 bottles a day with a snack of yogurt in the afternoon and is coping well on that.  He was never really fussy on his middle bottle so thought it was best to drop it and he is doing great.