In a message dated 4/24/2011 8:12:15 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:
These infant formulae scare me. Why not try an elemental formula, if they
really have exhausted all other options?
~~~
Thanks to everyone who wrote to me, here and privately with your
experiences, research and impressions. This baby is on Nutramigen, which I suggested
last month I think. I'm not sure why the allergist didn't suggest
switching off the standard cow milk based stuff, when this baby was obviously so
miserable inside and out. He does nurse, but poorly and/or inconsistently, he
is miserable with reflux and eczema. He's been on and off medications for
both. I suggested she consult the ENT who released his frenulum, rather
than asking her pediatrician, since that didn't help. No follow-through. The
mother never maintains a "cleanish" diet in terms of what he seems to
need. She nurses him day and night, and despite her work with the breastfeeding
medicine specialist, and everyone else, never makes a full supply. She is
much closer with this second baby, but if she nurses and does not
supplement, (which she's tried repeatedly, even though I've suggested this is simply
too much to ask of him, to drive her supply when it just doesn't work), he
eats constantly day and night, can't sleep, doesn't stool for days, and I
doubt he is gaining well during those times, but then she arbitrarily
switches back without anyone checking weight so we never really know. Over time,
his weight gain has been fine. Everything is confounded by her
near-constant changes of strategy which then seem to lead to: more and less nursing,
more and less supplementation, more and less allergenic food "slips", more
and less stooling, worse and not as bad skin breakouts, more and less
screaming/crying/stress behaviors. Things are suggested, and it takes weeks or
months for her to decide to implement them. Now it feels like she's
interested in this "traditional foods" approach because someone suggested it's
better and safer than store bought formulas and could really help her son. As
with everything regarding her, I can share what I know, and what I learn, and
what makes sense to me. She either follows through or she doesn't. I find
it ironic the amount of times I have had to actually suggest commercial
formula, when the mother would rather do anything else, whether it's simply
not feeding the baby enough despite nursing him til they are both
exhausted, or feeding him something that sounds better but isn't, or wanting to feed
him something that might be better and she thinks she can make, but she
cannot follow-through and 'make' it as it needs to be ( whether that is human
milk he can tolerate, or homemade formula of some kind that wouldn't
actually kill the baby IF it was made thoroughly and consistently with an eye
toward all the details....) I get no pleasure in supporting commercial
formulas and the companies that make them. But sometimes it does seem like they
are the safest of the not safe alternatives.
Thanks again for the input. I did just call the mom but she was unable to
talk and said she'd call right back. She hasn't, but at least I'm more
ready when/ if she does.
Peace,
Judy
Judy LeVan Fram, PT, IBCLC, LLLL
Brooklyn, NY, USA
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