Can't Breastfeed anymore...

[mackiesmommy]

Hi Ladies!

My Baby has been bottle feeding since he was 6 weeks old and would no go back on the breast, even with a nipple shield.

I was feeing Enfamile Gentlease, but began feeling guilty because of all of the alternative ingredients.

So I found an organic formula, Nature's One, and I have been feeding it to him, but his poop is a little harder than usual.

Can anyone who has used this formual tell me if this is normal? The doc said it was, but I didn't tell them that it said Toddler formula on it. Doctors don't know everything, you know!

Thanks!

[busymama77]

I'm curious, you never mentioned why you couldn't breastfeed anymore? If you feel uncomfortable about the brand of formula that you're giving your child, I would def consult with a nurse practioner or your child's peditrician. I am not familiar with the brand that you mentioned. Sorry not much help.

[Bokonon]

Why are you feeding your baby toddler formula? There are organic baby formulas. How long has it been since you breastfed? Could you pump?

[EricaDoula]

You should really try to pump! If it hasn't been too long, you have a good chance of restoring your milk. good luck!

[MissinNYC]

If you can't nurse, it's important that he get the nutrients in an infant formula. Toddler formula doesnt have as much fat and other things infants need more than toddlers. Stick with something for tiny ones.

There are organic infant formulas, but honestly, all infant formula is fine. If you could pump or nurse sometimes it would be even better.

Good luck!

[StrawberryFields]

I am not an expert on formula by ANY means, but I believe that I read that Nature's One is labeled "Toddler Formula" in order to promote breastfeeding during infancy. Not necessarily because it is inappropriate for younger children. Did you do a side by side nutritional comparison with other infant formulas?

FWIW, though I have no personal experience with infant formula and my own children, I know that friends of ours have often had problems with constipation and/or harder poop with their formula fed babies.

[annettemarie]

I'm going to move this to Life with a Babe since it isn't about breastfeeding. You could also try our Nutrition forum.

[TiredX2]

To get the best advice you will need to provide more information about your child--- age, intake, etc...

Originally Posted by StrawberryFields

I am not an expert on formula by ANY means, but I believe that I read that Nature's One is labeled "Toddler Formula" in order to promote breastfeeding during infancy. Not necessarily because it is inappropriate for younger children. Did you do a side by side nutritional comparison with other infant formulas?

That was my first thought as well (following WHO marketing of infant formuls codes).

Anyway, here is info from Nature's One website (bolding is mine):

The Best Organic Start

Breast milk is the best organic choice. Baby’s Only Organic® is labeled a toddler formula to promote breast milk as the best first option. Following breast milk, parents can continue providing organic nutrition using Baby’s Only Organic® formula. For a baby less than 12-months, use as directed by a healthcare professional. We recommend that you present our leading brand Dairy Nutritional Comparison Chart or our Multiple Product Nutritional Comparison Chart to your doctor.

Meets FDA Nutrition Requirements
In 1980, the U.S. Congress passed the Infant Formula Act, a law that defines the nutritional requirements for infant formulas sold in the United States. Baby’s Only Organic® does meet the nutritional requirements according to Infant Formula Act. Please review our Nutritional Comparison Chart to learn about the FDA’s specifications for infant formula and how Baby’s Only Organic® compares to leading brands. Baby’s Only Organic® is manufactured in the U.S.A.

It seems like they are trying to promote breastfeeding by labeling it as Toddler Formula. They have a comparrison chart here if you would like to see:

http://www.naturesone.com/pdf/N1-Lea...df#view=FitH,0

[Dazedstella]

We have to mostly formula feed too (although I still nurse as much as I can) due to a breast reduction 6 years ago. Believe me the LC, the midwife and I have tried everything to keep my supply up but I just can make anymore than I could when she was a newborn and then it was only about 1/2 of her daily supply (now it's probably about 1/4 of it).

Anyway- not that any of that part is relevant to your story- here's my point- we give Genevieve Earth's Best Organic formula and have since the first day we needed to. It seems pretty awesome, we didn't have constipation issues ever (until now that we are working with solids too) she loves it, but it is EXPENSIVE. Perhaps you should try that brand?

sorry about the ramble- I haven't finished my coffee yet.

[Blueone]

We formula feed as well. My son is 5.5 months and will only tolerate Similac Sensitive. The others cause fussiness, excessive spitting up, etc. He doesn't even tolerate the off brand of Similac Sensitive.

Some formulas do cause hard poo in the beginning, but it will usually balance out in the end. But the formula you're using is for babies 12 months and older. So unless your baby is that old, I'd find a different organic formula. Earths Best has a good one, as do several other companies. But keep in mind, avoid using Soy based formula if at all possible. It can cause constipation and lots of other problems.

[bedheadmaestro]

DD had really severe constipation using Baby's Only formula. It was so bad we couldn't continue using it. Over on diaperswappers people complain about baby's only causing constipation all the time, which is a shame. I switched back to using regular Similac early shield until I tried the WAP homemade formula recipe which solved her poop problems completely.

What helped a lot before we switched to homemade is adding probiotic powder to a bottle per day. I was using Natren Life Start, then switched to any probiotic designed for babies...bifidobacterium infantiis I think.

And yes, the 'toddler formula' label is only there because this company prefers that people breastfeed infants. the nutrient content is the same as any other formula. Organic formula is not necessarily the best choice, by the way. If it is not working for your baby and causing health problems, that is worse than any perceived threat of the unknown chemicals in non-organic formula. Of all the commercial formulas out there (and I tried them all, believe me), Similac with Early Shield worked the best for my DD.