Ella will need to be weaned this month (from breastmilk) and we need an altnerative. I'm weary of moving to milk (as I am sensitive to it) and I know that Rice and Soy are not ideal (and some believe unsafe for babies her age). What have you done for your LOs? She's never had formula, so putting her on one of them likely won't work (as I've been told that they milk free ones taste awful). I need something full of calcium and protein but w/o necessarily using cows milk. Pediasure? Toddler formula of some sort? I have no idea.
Pediasure is generally "worse" than milk (it IS milk with tons of other stuff added to it). LOTS of kids cant tolerate it. Mine can (and cant tolerate whole milk) for some reason, but hes a total freak like that lol
Personally I'd probably TRY milk and see what happens... and if not then maybe a toddler formula?
That's good to know about Pediasure.
What toddler formula is good? (if milk is a failure).
How much do I give her - should I water the milk down a bit until she gets used to consistency?
Since she is under one still, you will need a formula, I would go a mid hypoallergenic one, so not neocate or elecare (which she will most probably refuse) but I think your ones are called nutramiagen or allimentum? You may be able to get one over the counter, we have one called Nan HA and that is what we are using for top ups etc...
Don't water down the milk, she needs to have the right concentration until she is at least one, I would say longer since she is a refluxer. I would probably do a breast feed and then top up with 10ml formula, a couple of times a day, then after a couple of days of this, top up with 20ml (or start the feed with formula and finish with breast) keeping a good eye on symptoms. Then gradually over the month increase the formula to breast ratio.
Good luck, I hope it helps and goes well, milk weans scare me lol but if you do it slow it is far easier to work out what is going on.
__________________
Rachel
Wife to Daniel and mum of THREE beautiful boys.
Cooper 7 yrs, my sensitive, shy and sweet boy.
Parker is now FIVE! My GERDling and sweetheart, non stop talker, now started kindy!
Beckett my little baby! Born 5th October 2009.
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We have a sample of Nutramigen from the doc. I heard that it tasted awful so I was hesitant to even try. Ella is 11 months old this coming week, so I wasn't sure if milk was too early (to see if it affected her or not in small amounts). Perhaps the Nutramigen is a better idea!?
Like you Rachel, I am terrified of this wean. Ella does drink some water (and she will down a bottle of grape pedialyte) so I'm hoping to find something that's good for her and tastes good too. Naturally, I don't want reflux to rear it's ugly head. I go back to work in January, so I figure it's time to start to slow down the daytime feeds (she's already less interested in nursing and more interested in moving around and playing).
I was thinking, is she sensitive to milk in your diet that she gets through your BM? If she's not she might be able to tolerate a regular formula. Like Rachel said since she's under one a formula would be better than cow's milk.
OR I don't know what your workplace is like but you could maybe pump BM for her for a bit. Then after she turns one you could try slowly adding cow's milk or formula to her bottles and see how she does. Just some ideas. I hope you're able to figure something out!
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Amy
Mom to Katelyn born 9/18/08
Silent reflux since 12/08, untreated 'til 2/09 when finally diagnosed
Meds tried: Zantac, Erythromycin, Prilosec (briefly), 30 mg Prevacid
Current meds: 7.5 mg Prevacid solutabs twice a day
Ongoing OT - Finally taking the bottle and eating some solids!
Oh I just noticed you said you're sensitive to milk so you're probably not drinking it and she wouldn't be getting it through your BM. Sorry!
__________________
Amy
Mom to Katelyn born 9/18/08
Silent reflux since 12/08, untreated 'til 2/09 when finally diagnosed
Meds tried: Zantac, Erythromycin, Prilosec (briefly), 30 mg Prevacid
Current meds: 7.5 mg Prevacid solutabs twice a day
Ongoing OT - Finally taking the bottle and eating some solids!
I think that I'll try the Nutramagen and see if she hates it (likely, but who knows). Then I may have to try some milk. According to the Naturopath, she's sensitive (I cut it out of my diet for her when reflux was bad). The doctor allergist says she has no allergy (although he says that doesn't mean she couldn't be sensitive).
Is it okay to try little amounts of milk at 11 months?
I'm a high school teacher so pumping won't work. I have these horrible visions of teenagers walking into my classroom while I'm pumping....shutter to think! LOL
Lol yes that would not be good. A nice private office with shades would work but a classroom not so much. Hope the Nutramagen works out for you!
__________________
Amy
Mom to Katelyn born 9/18/08
Silent reflux since 12/08, untreated 'til 2/09 when finally diagnosed
Meds tried: Zantac, Erythromycin, Prilosec (briefly), 30 mg Prevacid
Current meds: 7.5 mg Prevacid solutabs twice a day
Ongoing OT - Finally taking the bottle and eating some solids!
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