Hi, My baby is 7 weeks old and he is on Enfamil Lipil with Iron. He did good for like the first 2 weeks, but since then he spits up pretty much everytime he eats. Then he wants more. And he has a tough time making a bowel movement. Is this any reason for concern or is it normal, please someone help. I can't call the doctor until tuesday.
2006-12-30 11:16:10 · 13 answers · asked by silknlacechick 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
The good news is it doesn't sound like anything serious. It can wait until Tuesday or longer if it has to. Some formulas tend to make some babies constipated. As long as he is still having regular bowel movements it's probably ok. Make sure that if you are mixing the formula for him that you aren't putting in more powder than needed, that can cause constipation too. As far as the spitting up is concerned, there are a lot of different factors that can influence that. If the type of bottle or nipple you are using doesn't agree with your baby, that can cause extra gas and extra spitting up. The formulas can do the same thing. Also if you are feeding your baby too much he will spit up a lot afterward, but might seem hungry because newborns can't tell the difference between an upset stomach and a hungry one. Many baby's have reflux (2 of mine had it pretty bad) because parts of their digestive system aren't fully developed. This can cause spitting up too. They usually outgrow it sometime between 6 months and 1 year. Sometimes pediatricians will prescribe Zantac or something for this, but even that doesn't always help. You can fiddle with the bottle types, formula type and amount if you want, but you'll probaby want to talk to the pediatrician about it anyway. Good Luck!
2006-12-30 11:27:51 · answer #1 · answered by Steph 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We went through the same thing twice with our boys. Not keeping the formula down but hungry all the time them no BM. Every baby is different and may not digest formulas the same.
For one, I think the Iron makes them more constipated. Doctors do want them to have iron so if you chose something without iron make sure you still supplement the bottle with those vitamin drops wtih iron at least once a day.
Our first boy used Carnations Good Start which costs a bit more but made the world of difference keepiing it down and bowel movemnts. We were all lined up for the same with the second baby but he didn't take to the Good Start.
Our second boy used Nutramigen which happens to be about the most expensive formula you can buy at a regular store but I am telling you it works. Eventually when he was about 3-4 months old we switched to Gentilease when he was a bit more mature which is much more reasonably priced. Now he is 11 months and we are switching again to a more normal average priced formula.
If price is of concern, don't be afraid to use the store brand generics. They really are the same thing coming from the same lines and must adhere to all the same severely strong regulations regarding infant formula. Even without the generics, rest assured you can eventually switch when their stomach is more mature.
Don't automatically assume that the baby has milk alergies and switch to Soy. Lactose issues are much more rare than what most people think. Give them a chance first and let your doctor tell you it is time for Soy if they can prove the baby lactose intolerant.
Those were our experiences. I hope that it helps you out. But all this being said, please go do the doctor and confirm this information. Most of the time, you will find that the doctors won't encourage or discourage any formula as they are all safe for the baby. You really should consult with your doctor no matter what on this issue. I just hope that our experience will at least get you "there" faster!
Good Luck!
2006-12-30 11:17:47 · answer #2 · answered by Bryan C 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like your baby is spitting up a lot because he can only fit so much in his belly at a time. If he isn't moving his bowels, it will come back up. He is constipated, which Iron can do to you. When my son was a baby, the Dr. had me put an ounce of prune juice in ever other bottle. It worked wonders. he was no longer constpated, and was able to eat what he needed. I reccomend trying some prune juice in his bottles (1 oz in every other bottle). I would not harm him. Talk to the Dr. on tuesday, they may have you change his formula or continue with the prune juice until he grows out of this stage. Good luck and I hope the baby feels better. I am a mother of 4 kids and lots of experience.
2006-12-30 11:28:10 · answer #3 · answered by minybrit72 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i have 3 children so the advice i am giving is motherly and i just want to say noone is a doc but this is what i did with my son and daughter they had the same problem over a weekend and there is always something to do you can go as far as calling the hospital you had your baby in and ask to speak to a nurse in the nursery. What will most likely happen is they will tell you to switch formulas here in florida where i live the wic office puts every baby on carnation goodstart formula and it is a decent formula and easy for the baby to digest. good luck and i hope this helps but no matter what anyone says you might just feel better to contact the hospital you had your baby in and ask the nurses there they can give you the advice you need because your baby still has a chart there.
2006-12-30 11:21:27 · answer #4 · answered by nuzzihuzzi 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's prob. the iron if he's having a lot of trouble with BM give give a little apple juice like 2 oz. apple juice na d2 oz. of water mixed up in a bottle that shuold help within 24 hours if it doesn't try a little prune jucie but that is often to much for such a little baby apple juice usually works just fine, than switich to a formula w/o iron if your still having prob. it could be that he's developed an allergy to the formula and you might need to try a soy based formula, or if your really ambitious you could try relactating and BF your baby he can't be allergic to that! Good luck, also give him some gas drops a full dropper to see if you can get rid of some of the disconfort until he can have a BM.
2006-12-30 11:20:49 · answer #5 · answered by nicole b 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with another poster on the cradle cap. First of all, stop using the Johnson and Johnson baby shampoo and DO NOT switch to Head and Shoulders. These shampoos will only worsen the condition. Try out some Burt's Bee's products that are specifically made for babies, or ask the pediatrician what to do, to see if they have any recommendations. Cradle cap usually clears up on it's own within the first couple months or so, though. It is completely normal.
2016-05-22 22:11:01 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sometimes the iron is too much for their little tummies, check with the doctor, they may change the formula. If he is having trouble with a bowel movement that could be why he is spitting up, his belly isn't moving anything. Call the doctor!
2006-12-30 11:21:07 · answer #7 · answered by DolphinGirl 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try a formula that is lower in iron. The iron is hard on his little tummy. My oldest son had the same problem, he threw up a lot and was constipated. Our Ped. told us that some babies have a hard time digesting the iron in it and to switch to another brand. We put him on Carnation Good Start, and he did much better.
2006-12-30 11:24:10 · answer #8 · answered by purpledragonflyjrh 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would give your son 1 oz of water per day. This is what my Dr. told me to do with my son when he got constipated...also try a "gentle" type of formula..this helped me out a lot! Good luck!
2006-12-30 12:20:01 · answer #9 · answered by hypnotic_wht_grl_21 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
are you burping him if so he just ate too fast you may want to get a nipple with smaller or less holes as far as i can say with my experiences with my two girls there is no need for concern but if things worsen go to the e.r. better safe than sorry
2006-12-30 11:22:23 · answer #10 · answered by doobiemanrfrank 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋