idea's on homemade elemental formula?

[Kailey's mom]

I was just wondering if anyone knew of how to make an elemental formula. I searched the web for recipes and found nothing. My dd, who is 3 yrs old, is on elecare..and I was hoping to try and make something that wasn't so full of sugar. The first ingredient is corn syrup solids. We havent' yet done a complete food trial with rice, so as of now, rice formula won't work. Thanks

[Nosy]

Don't know of one, but if you figure it out, I'd love to know! I know you can get a carb-free version of either neocate or elecare (forget which) but I think it's soy based, then you could add in something besides corn syrup.

[mamafish9]

Is your DD only on elecare, or does she eat some solids as well?

[Kailey's mom]

Originally Posted by mamafish9

Is your DD only on elecare, or does she eat some solids as well?

elecare only.. with the exception of bananas and potatoes, for now

[I<3aaden]

Did you ever find anything? I'm kind of in the same situation. My DS is reacting to something in elecare as well. He did fine for the first week but after that his eczema got worse again. Tried neocate and nutramigen aa. Thinkin of trying neocate junior because it doesn't have soy oil.

[Momo123]

My DS was on elecare as well, and didn't do well (eczema and bad stools). His naturopath put him on a rice-based (no dairy, egg, gluten, corn protein, or soy protein) formula called Ultracare by Metagenics. It does have rice syrup and fructose but no corn syrup. http://www.metagenics.com/products/a-z-products-list/Ultracare-for-Kids

It's supposed to be for toddlers, but DS drank it from about 9 months to 14 months made with coconut milk for more calories.

[changingseasons]

Originally Posted by Momo123 

My DS was on elecare as well, and didn't do well (eczema and bad stools). His naturopath put him on a rice-based (no dairy, egg, gluten, corn protein, or soy protein) formula called Ultracare by Metagenics. It does have rice syrup and fructose but no corn syrup. http://www.metagenics.com/products/a-z-products-list/Ultracare-for-Kids

It's supposed to be for toddlers, but DS drank it from about 9 months to 14 months made with coconut milk for more calories.

The description on their website says that it has rice protein, which makes me think that it's not an elemental formula. (Elemental formulas don't contain any proteins, only amino acids.) Do you know if that's the case?

[I<3aaden]

Originally Posted by Momo123 

My DS was on elecare as well, and didn't do well (eczema and bad stools). His naturopath put him on a rice-based (no dairy, egg, gluten, corn protein, or soy protein) formula called Ultracare by Metagenics. It does have rice syrup and fructose but no corn syrup. http://www.metagenics.com/products/a-z-products-list/Ultracare-for-Kids

It's supposed to be for toddlers, but DS drank it from about 9 months to 14 months made with coconut milk for more calories.

Where can you get this formula from? Or how do you get it?

How did your DS do on it?? Did his eczema get any better? Did he react to the rice in the formula?

[Momo123]

It is definitely NOT an elemental formula (as changingseasons said, it does have rice protein). But I felt that DS was reacting to something in the elemental formulas (I tried elecare & nutrmigen AA) even though the ped GI said it doesn't have any protein, even corn... And DS can tolerate rice just fine (there are people who can't) so he did fine on it. I was worried about the xanthan gum as well, because corn sensitive people do react to it, but DS seems okay with it (then and now in other products). Also, as I mentioned, it is meant to be a toddler formula so it does not have the calorie/nutritional content of infant formula. I don't know how old your DS is but that is a concern if he's a very young infant.

DS's naturopath muscle tested him on it before switching, and it was not ideal, but tested much better than the elemental formula. FWIW DS has tested only IgE allergic to dairy and egg, and intolerant to soy, gluten, corn etc. Since I don't know your DS's allergy/sensitivity situation, I can't say I would suggest trying it without consulting someone but you can get it online here: http://www.iherb.com/Metagenics-Ultracare-for-Kids-Vanilla-Flavor-1-lb-6-2-oz-630-g/20683?at=0 or some other places that carry supplements usually carried by naturopaths. My ped GI had never heard of it, and did not encourage it, but I went ahead anyway after meeting with the naturopath and never went back to the GI.

My DS's eczema improved, but it did not get almost 100% better until very recently which is way after we stopped using the formula so I'm not sure about direct cause and effect. In my DS's case, he is very sensitive to his allegens through skin so we had to change his soap, lotion, laundry and dish detergent plus pull all the foods above and do a bunch of supplements. Even now he gets minor flare ups.

[I<3aaden]

I already ordered some. My DS just turned 1. His eczema is so bad that he can't even sleep at nights. Its so painful watching him knowing theres nothing I can do. He tested allergic IgE to dairy, soy, peanuts, and eggs. He was given the ok to eat apples, sweet potatoes, pears, bananas, rice and chicken. He didn't get tested for corn or gluten which I want to get done ASAP. But his allergist seems so reluctant to do tests. She says their inaccurate, but still. I'm going to ahead and try with the metagenics.

My DS pedi said he coudn't be allergic to Alimentum or Nutramigen, but sure enough he was reacting to something in the formula. I have a test kit ready from ALCAT, and im going to have him tested probably sometime next week.

His naturopathic seems to have limited or little ideas with children. She never mention anything about metagenics or about another formula which he may use. She was the only ND I could find who sees babies. My ND says she has no experience with children.

Edited by I<3aaden - 12/3/10 at 11:49am

[Momo123]

I'm so sorry, it's so hard seeing your baby suffer, eczema really sucks! I hope the Ultracare does help some, let me know if I can help answer any other questions about it (though I'm no expert...) One thing, the consistency is a little different from other formulas/milk, it is a little bit thicker, not like a milk shake or smoothie, but just slightly. It didn't seem to bother my DS at all, but I did use a handheld mixer to blend it and had to change to a fast-flow nipple on his bottle before we went to sippy cups. Not sure if you were planning on making it with just water or another milk but thought I would mention it--I was using coconut milk so that may have added to the viscosity though so it may be just fine with water!

I had a difficult time finding an ND that specializes in kids too, several that we saw before I found one (through this board) didn't seem to know that to do with DS. Have you checked out the chat thread in this forum? I only lurk there because I can't keep up, but I think there are several mamas with allergic kids who live in the Boston area who might have recommendations about NDs and such... Good luck!

[I<3aaden]

Thank you so much for your input. His mother and I have a tough time just getting through the day. Everyday seems like a mission, one that I can never give up or fail on. I know it is a matter of finding what he can tolerate so that he can rebuild his digestive system and immune system. Hes currently drinking rice milk, which he does ok on it seems along with his baby food. Once the ultracare comes in, we will probably mix it with the rice milk for the extra calories.

I truly appreciate your input and advice. Makes it a little easier being a dad to a special boy. Love this community and the people on it. Truly a great place.

[onlyAngil]

Originally Posted by Kailey's mom 

Originally Posted by mamafish9

Is your DD only on elecare, or does she eat some solids as well?

elecare only.. with the exception of bananas and potatoes, for now

Please educate me... What is elemental formula? Why is a 3yo ONLY on formula (if at at all), and so few food?! What about things like oats, better yet quinoa (it is very high in protein. You can by flakes and it it is much like a "baby cereal" and just mush when mixed with water, breast-milk, or like.), apples, avocado, and light beans, perhaps even squash and, or a yam? Also what is the deal about rice? Please help me understand! I know I stumbled across these posts but I am lost and very intrigued.

We are vegan, gluten free, unfermented soy free -- tofu, good, soy-milk, bad -- and mostly raw (it almost kills DP who loves his cheese burgers when I met him)... so I am very use to understand "alternative" diets, but all this new to me. My great aunt also has a very select diet do to health problems, but we seem to very well when she comes over other than oranges and lemons.

I do hope the best for all your mamas and papas with babies who need help with their selective diets!

[changingseasons]

Originally Posted by onlyAngil 

Please educate me... What is elemental formula? Why is a 3yo ONLY on formula (if at at all), and so few food?!

You're in the allergy forum. Elemental formula is for children who can't tolerate food proteins.

[onlyAngil]

You're in the allergy forum.

Haha, very funny... I got that part! I wanted a better understanding of what could have someone be so sensitive, and what I was reading about.
 

[changingseasons]

Originally Posted by onlyAngil 

You're in the allergy forum.

Haha, very funny... I got that part! I wanted a better understanding of what could have someone be so sensitive, and what I was reading about.
 

Ummmm.... allergies. Allergies can make someone that sensitive.

Babies that can't tolerate cow or soy protein and have to be on formula for whatever reason will need an elemental formula. All the proteins have been broken down into amino acids. Older children that have really severe allergies or other immune deficiencies/disorders (like an eosinophilic disorder) might have to drink elemental formula.

[I<3aaden]

Yeah, I would say an underdeveloped digestive/immune system is what causes allergies. Elemental formulas still have things like corn syrup solids, a variety of oils and then  the amino acids. My kid still reacts to something in the elemental formula.

[mama9]

DS is reacting to both in different ways. He won't sleep with the Neocate and acts crazy and hyper all night long. With the Nutramigen AA he is a lot more gassy but it's still early to tell as we've just recently switched. He's not on them exclusively at this time. I read somewhere online about a company that did custom elemental forumla. I will have to google again to see if I can find. I think they are in the USA.

[bodhitree]

Originally Posted by onlyAngil 

We are vegan, gluten free, unfermented soy free -- tofu, good, soy-milk, bad

Not to threadjack, but tofu is not fermented. It's made directly from soymilk by adding a coagulant and pressing. Fermented soy products would include things like tamari, tempeh, and miso. If it works for your family, then of course carry on with exactly what you're doing. I just didn't want there to be any confusion for anyone else on here who may be trying to figure out issues with soy.

[coyotemist]

By definition, an elemental formula can only be created in a lab.  There is no way at home to create it.  Some have found relief using the GAPS diet (my friend's son has terrible full body eczema on a SAD diet, but on GAPS by week 3 or so he is almost completely clear). 

My son is on Neocate Jr, and it's worked well when Nutramigen did not.  However, his sensitivities are just:

almonds

shrimp (clams were ok last time)

dairy

soy

citrus (maybe, which makes me sad, he loves oranges, but he was really having troubles with them)

xanthan gum

carrageenan

We won't do homemade rice milk...too little nutrition, storebought rice milk has above fillers.  My plan, when we run out of Neocate (no longer qualify for WIC, health insurance won't pay) is to make coconut milk tonic.  He likes it.

Coconut milk tonic

1 can coconut milk (organic with no thickeners, not all brands are safe)

1 can coconut juice

1 tsp organic vanilla (optional, you need to know what alcohol is the base if you are sensitive to wheat/corn/rye, make your own)

1 tsp dolomite powder (good source of calcium)