BF - Supplementing with Formula

I have been BFing exclusively since my boys were about 2 weeks old. I need to be able to leave my babies with my SO but I can't pump enough to leave an adequate supply (3 pumping sessions = milk for 1 feeding = too much work!). On top of that, our 2-year-old refrigerator just died, destroying the bit of frozen EBM that I had!! :-(

So, it's time to add in some bottles for those times when I'm not able to BF my little ones. Has anyone done this, and if so, what formula would you recommend starting with? We tried Similac Advance early on but they had a lot of problems with that-- gas, etc. Even exclusively BFing, they have pretty bad gas issues, and probably colic, too. I REALLY don't want the gas issues to get any worse than they have to (though I know they probably will get somewhat worse with formula).

Should I start right out trying something like Similac Sensitive, or even Nutramigen/Alimentum? I'd prefer not to shell out the big bucks if it's not necessary, but I'd rather do that than cause my babies pain.

What do you lovely ladies think?

 

Isomil worked great for my gassy/spit up baby!

 

I supplemented with Enfamil's Gentlease for our gassy kiddo. It seemed easier on his tummy than regular Enfamil Lipil.

 

We use Similac Advance but I put Mylicon (knock-off version) in all bottles to take out the bubbles and I also try to make them up in advance so they have even more of a chance of "settling"...I would check with dr. before putting them on a formula that is low-lactose or lactose free.

 

I wouldn't do a hypoallergenic (nutramigen, etc) unless you think they have an allergy to milk and soy proteins. It really won't help unless they have that specific problem. We're having good luck with the Good Start formulas-- it's partially broken down and only includes whey protein (not the casin in milk).

Good luck!

 

Mine have some gas issues and I read in an article to burp them every ounce or so. It has really worked well to reduce the gas Lyla's had. She burps a lot faster than she does if I just wait til the end, too, so it doesn't add too much time.

 

I used Target version of Gentlease, was only $14.99 a big can. In the hospital they had DS on Similac (but the formula has changed I had read and many babies were getting super gassy from it) and then they moved him to Similac NeoSure since he needed more calories. I had him on Lipil but he got gassy from that really bad, so we did Gentlease and things got much better.

Remember with any formula it's going to take time for the babies tummy to adjust to it, it's much thicker than breastmilk is. My ped said give it about a week after starting a new formula to see how the gas is. We used gas drops as needed as well.

 

I BF and then swithched to formula with all four of my kids - 4mo, 3mo, and then 3 weeks for the twins. I have used different formula for each child. The twins are using Enfamil Lipil and they have had no problems - I slowly introduced formula with BF since it did make it harder for them to have a BM. My second child had severe constipation with Similac - we switched to Nestle Good Start and the problem was solved. I know this worked for a lot of my friends as well.

I wouldn't pay the high prrice for specialty formula until you see whether or not they have a problem with the formula.

Good Luck!

 

The fancy hypoallergenic formulas did not help my babies - I thought they were a lot of money for no improvement. Enfamil with Lipil has been the best for us. Good Start wasn't bad (but the poos were funny).

 

I used Gentlease because Kevin was really gassy. It worked great for him.

 

We use Enfamil Lipil. Our ped said that Enfamil was easier on the stomach than Similac. We just tried Gentlease because we have pukers but they won't drink it.