Is Formula the Culprit?

Is Formula the Culprit?

My baby is 8 weeks old for the past 6 weeks the baby has been straining when passing gas a having a bowel movement. We changed her formula a few times, one was lactose free which did not make a difference, then we went back to her regular one which gave her the diarrhea again so now I have her on soy, it seems to help a bit but still strains a lot. Do you think soy is safe to have her on?

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Is Formula the Culprit?

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Oct 04, 2009
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Soy is safe
by: Heather ;-)

Soy is a safe formula to use, I used it with Elena exclusively (after breastfeeding) - because regular formula gave her diarrhea. (Similar to your issue.)

Regular formula (from cow's milk) can be somewhat difficult for babies to digest. Soy is made up of a different kind of protein (plant-based) and so can be easier to digest.

However, about 50% of babies switched to soy still have some allergy issues, that result in digestive troubles. In that case, a hypoallergenic formula may be best.

Before you go out and spend a ton of money on hypoallergenic formula, I suggest you talk to your doctor. They are often give samples to share for free. Hypoallergenic formula tastes different, and some babies just down like it (Elena was one). Trying the free stuff first is a safe way to see if it is a good long-term solution.

Hope this is helpful.

much care,
Heather

Oct 10, 2009
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Tried it all
by: Anonymous

Tried soy and it never worked.
My baby is now 8 weeks old and still having alot of gas pain and when she has a bowel movement she is still straining and her poop is brownish green(sometimes shinny). Tried gripe water and ovol but nothing seems to work. I never seen a baby go through so much pain in my life. Is there any test they can run on her to make sure there is nothing wrong with her bowels?

Oct 12, 2009
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Hate to sound cliche...
by: Heather ;-)

If it still seems like he is suffering, I would call your doctor and see if he could run some tests to see if there are other things going on inside.

It is SO hard to see our little ones suffer!! If you've not seen improvement, make the call to the doctor. That's why he's there.

If I have a question for my pediatrician that I want to ask directly, I'll have to politely insist on a call back (they rarely can talk at that moment). That means I talk to the secretary, discuss with the nurse, and then say "I'd like the doctor to call me back on this one." and leave my number for him to call me back when he has a minute.

Sometimes the nurse can answer my questions, but other times only the doctor will do. After I discuss my concern, he often will either give me some other options to try over the phone or either request to see my child in person.

If you get the impression you're a bother, or that he's insisting on an office visit when he could have just as easily answered your concern over the phone, I would start the search for a new pediatrician.

with care,
Heather