[Love2learn]

Not being able to breastfeed and having to give dd formula. SHe is 7 months and her reflux has gotten worse. The dr said to change her formula and I tried about everything and the one that works is Similac with rice starch.
First ingredient- CORN SYRUP
second ingredient- RICE STARCH

This is killing me. We have diabetes in our family. I am type 2 and pcos. I worry for her eating that crap.

The only other option would be get her on prevacid. Which I think is a strong one but not sure. DH said he would rather do the formula instead of medication. Which would you do?

We've spend so much $ on herbal supplements too and nothing worked!

 

[alegna]

Are you using formula just because of the reflux? If so- have you tried an elimination diet?

I would use good reflux meds and nurse before using formula any day.

-Angela

 

[russsk]

Quote:

Originally Posted by alegna I would use good reflux meds and nurse before using formula any day. -Angela

This.

 

[wannabe]

OP, that's such a tough situation to be in, I'm sorry. You tried so hard to breastfeed, it's not your fault that your PCOS prevented a full supply.

There's a difference between high fructose corn syrup and just corn syrup, the formula you mentioned has just corn syrup, not HFCS. The main ingredient in breastmilk is sugar, too. It's really very sweet. That's why they have the sugar in the formula.

There are thickeners you can add to formula if you had one you were more happy with before.

 

[rachel7628]

I would use the medication over a formula I was unhappy with. But ditto the PP who said there is a difference between HFCS and regular corn syrup.

And, FWIW, I had low supply due to PCOS, too, and stopped nursing at about 6 weeks and stopped pumping at 5 months. It sucks, but it isn't the end of the world (at least that's what I tell myself).

 

[swd12422]

FF here... Our LO had reflux and was on Similac Sensitive. I hated the corn syrup too, so I switched him to Costco's Kirkland brand. Turns out, it worked better for him. He still spit up some, but not as much, the ingredients are better, and it's much less expensive.

So if you truly can't BF him, maybe Costco is worth a try if you haven't already? FWIW, I hated the very idea of formula too, but it was our only option, and a year later he's as healthy and happy as can be, with none of the stomach issues he had before. Good luck. I know, it's hard!

 

[accountclosed2]

I would rather give her the meds and breastfeed. We had a lot of feeding issues, and I was trying to hold off Domperidone for as long as possible, just in case it would harm her. I wish had just started it at the beginning. We had to works so hard for so many months to make breastfeeding work. I really think breastfeeding is so much better I'd rather medicate than give formula.

 

[NJ*Doula]

Do the medication! My son was on Prevacid for months. It's the lesser of those two evils by a long shot! And also try cutting out dairy (and I mean completely out), and I'll bet the reflux gets better, or even goes away completely.

 

[Ceinwen]

I hate to be the downer here - by my LO has had Zantac, Prevacid, Losec, and now we're trying Nexium.

She can only tolerate one type of formula, even with the meds on board. Her reflux is progressing as well. She originally had silent reflux, but is now actively vomitting.

We've gotten a referral to Sick Kids hospital in Toronto, and are waiting for our date. I'm hoping they'll do a scope so we can see what kind of acid damage was done.

I hope you find something that works for you.

Please don't discount the meds just yet!

 

[Jesskathand]

Momma, I am so sorry that you could not BF.

hugs!

Have you looked into getting donor milk?

 

[Shelsi]

Alimentum RTF doesn't have corn in it. I'm not sure what it has to replace it. I just know that's one of the formulas we would try if dd ever needed formula since she's allergic to corn and a host of other things.

 

[matey]

My son had really bad reflux, and meds helped. Then I did an elimation diet, and as the dairy left my system, the reflux left his. I no longer eat dairy or soy. If I would have ever tried formula he would have gotten worse, I'm sure.

Formula better than medication? Not in my opinion. But I would try an elimination diet first off.

 

[pauletoy]

My 4 month old preemie has severe reflux (level 4), prevacid has made a huge difference. He was put on zantac in the NICU, then Axid, then Prilosec and now Prevacid. We are still nursing at least once a day but the rest of the time he gets EBM with cereal added to thicken per our GI doc.

Sorry you are having a rough time. Go with the Meds.

 

[EyesOfTheWorld]

My dd2 is on Prevacid for severe relux and it's been a God send. I'm not sure if you're not breastfeeding because of the PCOS or because of the reflux, but in my opinion it's preferable to nurse and give the medication. We haven't noticed any side effects or problems with Prevacid. If you don't have the choice to breastfeed however, I wouldn't stress too much about the corn syrup - it's different from HFCS, and formula will at least give your baby the nutrients she needs. Good luck.

 

[*Karen*]

Medication with breastmilk is a much better option in my book.

 

[Megan73]

I'm not sure whether you had to give up breastfeeding for some other reason or are doing it BECAUSE of the reflux?
If it's the latter, all the information I've read says reflux babies do better when they're breastfed because BM is a natural antacid. My LO is taking Zantac and the doctor encouraged me to keep breastfeeding even though I have no choice but to supplement with formula.
Another good reason to BF if you can is that nursing is soothing for babies who are suffering with reflux.
Good luck - it's so hard to see your little on vomiting and in pain, I know!

 

[EyesOfTheWorld]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Megan73 I'm not sure whether you had to give up breastfeeding for some other reason or are doing it BECAUSE of the reflux? If it's the latter, all the information I've read says reflux babies do better when they're breastfed because BM is a natural antacid. My LO is taking Zantac and the doctor encouraged me to keep breastfeeding even though I have no choice but to supplement with formula. Another good reason to BF if you can is that nursing is soothing for babies who are suffering with reflux. Good luck - it's so hard to see your little on vomiting and in pain, I know!

This is so true. I know my 2nd daughter (the one with reflux) has been much more attached to nursing than my 1st. She seems to have more of a need to nurse when she's having a rough day with her reflux, and as a baby I noticed when she would vomit she always wanted to nurse immediately afterwards. It's totally soothing.

 

[Dea]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Love2learn Not being able to breastfeed and having to give dd formula. SHe is 7 months and her reflux has gotten worse. The dr said to change her formula and I tried about everything and the one that works is Similac with rice starch. First ingredient- CORN SYRUP second ingredient- RICE STARCH This is killing me. We have diabetes in our family. I am type 2 and pcos. I worry for her eating that crap. The only other option would be get her on prevacid. Which I think is a strong one but not sure. DH said he would rather do the formula instead of medication. Which would you do? We've spend so much $ on herbal supplements too and nothing worked!

Mama, I'm so sorry. I kind of know how you feel. I wasn't able to breastfeed, and I tried everything, and I tried hard and nothing. So I have to FF, and my DD had issues with so many formulas and I didn't want to use a non organic one, and yet she had issues with them. So now we're on Nestle. But she's grown well, she's a happy healthy and ever so active baby.
I hope that something works out for you.

 

[crazydiamond]

As someone who has both low supply due to PCOS and a refluxy baby due to dairy, I say stick with the breastfeeding!

I'm taking domperidone to help with my supply and have eliminated dairy to help with the reflux. Before I realized dairy was the problem, I had my DS on Zantac.

I believe that using a prescription galactogogue, if it works, and a reflux medication, if necessary, is still way better than formula feeding.