Switching Formulas?

Question

I have a five day old baby and she has gas really bad and is constipated. Is it ok to switch formulas without asking the doctor?

Answer 1

It's always best to get the information right from the doctor. Give the doctor's office a call.

Answer 2

You can. However, you might want to try things like Mylicon (over the counter gas drops) first. Because you don't want to keep changing formulas around because then the baby's digestive system will get confused and you'll have a bigger problem than you started with.

The other thing is - a five day old that has not had a bowel movement in 24 hours or longer really should be evaluated by the doctor to rule out something bigger than formula intolerance. (Such as a bowel obstruction.)

Answer 3

consult your doctor!! My baby had the same problems and the doctor actually said that you can make it worse by switching formula. Especially if she is only 5 days old. I had to give my son gas drops after each bottle. He would literally be screaming and stiff as a board if I didn't. We did find out that the premixed cans of formula worked better vs the powdered milk where you have to mix it up. But please consult your babys doctor before you make any changes. By the baby gas drops were a wonderful thing. You can get them at any grocery store or drug store. And you can give them after every bottle. It will not totally go away but it dose help. Also you can move your babys legs up and down. That helps some.

Answer 4

I would just call. The child could have a sensitivity to the current formula and switching to something else with similar ingredients might not make a difference. Is the baby on a formula with iron? Ask your Dr. about low iron formula.

Answer 5

Before you switch formulas make sure that it is not colic. Is the baby having regular bowel movements? If it is colic there are some really good over the counter remedies, but since the baby is constipated , I would call the doctor first.

Answer 6

Yes - you can switch formulas without asking the doctor. Try to find a formula which produces less gas - like Similac.

Answer 7

Maybe it's not the formula at all. There are lots of great baby yoga moves to help with gas and constipation. One great one is to put your baby on her back and push her knees up to her chest...switch back and forth with her legs, kind of like doing a bicycle move. This will help move the air out. You could also try massaging her abdomen....always rubbing down to move the air through. I always had luck putting my baby way up on my shoulder when I burped him, so that his stomach was right on my shoulder bone. This usually worked like a charm (but, frequently ended up with spit-up down my back!!). Sometimes changing formula can cause issues in such a young baby. Her system needs to get used to something and constant change could make it harder on her...and you.

Answer 8

yes sure you can switch formula, unless the doctor put her on a specific formula to begin with.

Answer 9

my daughter went through the same thing and colic its awfull, and u feel so helpless. i swaped 3 times? then asked health visitor about soya. she said no, but the crying and pain my daughter was going through. i did anyway..... wonders of wonders cured. she still has a lactose intolerance now dairy makes her constipated and bloated . ive stuck to soya protucts for her. but i did try dairy again for a while . your the mum you know whats best, go with instinct and good luck x

Answer 10

yes but try doing it slowly. like 2 of the old then 1 of the new and so on