Digestive System Mess How Do I Pinpoint A Cause??

[Maggie and Nathan's Mommy]

I will try to make this short!!

Nathan has been on reg. formula then soy then Alimentum by 2 months of age.  At 5 months we went back to soy and he seemed to be OK.  We tried reg. formula and he was PUKING by day 3.  So we know he cannot have milk.  However, I am also starting to wonder about the soy.

A few weeks ago he had a double ear infection and was put on antibiotics.  The next weekend we ended up going to the urget care because he was sooo fussy and I wondered if his ears were not better.  The doc. told us the only thing wrong was his digestive system was "going 100 miles an hour"  (reaction of anitbiotics)  He suggested we try Alimentum for a week  and let his system rest.  Well, now back on the soy it again seems he is having trouble.  He is soo gassy and grumpy.

 I have tried to limit his solids to specific foods and not have such a variety thinking it might help but it has not.   I don't know wether to just go back to cereal and no fruits/veggies??

 He has 2 teeth and might be working on more.  I know teething can be blamed for everything!! 

He has reflux and spits up frequently.   He wants to walk, stand on his own, tries to pull up in the crib, etc...

I just don't know how to pinpoint the problem.  There is just SOOOO much going on.  I don't want to pay for the HA formula if that is not it.  I just don't know what to do.  Any suggestions??

[jennyh]

Go back to basics.Try one fruit etc every 2 days.indy has fruit intollerances and is total nightmare.Its the only way.Shes on gaviscon for reflux too.

[deb]

PROBIOTICS!!!!! How it is that doctors don't know about these things is beyond me. It's so simple: the antibiotics destroy all the good bacteria/intestinal flora the body NEEDS to properly digest food and allows yeast to flourish instead, and probiotics help to re-establish that balance. Probiotics can be found in yogurt and kefir, but you can also just purchase them in jars.

We can find many MANY different kinds in the fridge section of Whole Foods, and there are a couple formulated specifically for infants/babies to be mixed with milk or formula. You can find capsules for adults, chewables for kids, you name it.

Hope this helps!!!

[JennŠ]

And a powdered version for the babes.  Check the fridge section of any natural/health store.

[Mom to M&M]

I totally agree with everyone. I LOVE probiotics here - they've greatly helped out with my own DD's digestive issues. We use 1/2 tsp of Nature's Way Primadophilus for Children every day - have done so for about 6 months now. And I'd stick with the Alimentum for now too - many babies with milk intolerances also have issues to soy...

[jennyh]

my youngest is intollerant to milk and soy and has pepti-junior formula which is great.You can cook with it too.

[Cassie]

I agree with the probiotics.  Lactose Free formula still has milk protein, it is just free of milk sugar (lactose).  It is rare (although it does happen) that a baby is lactose intolerant.  Usually it doesn't development until the age of 5.  At least 50% (some studies suggest a even higher percentage) of babies who are milk protein intolerant are also soy protein intolerant.

I would try the probiotics and go back to the basics with solid food first.  If that does not help within a week, you can try the Alimentum/Nutramigen to allow your lo's gut to rest a bit.  You might also try the Carnation Good Start line of soy formula, it is sometimes better tolerated.

I bet it is fall out from the antibiotics.  They can wreck the digestive system.

[Maggie and Nathan's Mommy]

Thanks for all the replies.  He seems to be doing a little better??   I don't know but anyway, I have a yogurt question that I put up as a different post.  As for the probotics, the health food store is "out of the way" of my normal day so I have not made it there yet.  I hope to have time tomorrow.  In the meantime I wanted to try the yogurt.