Spitting up and Soy?

Enfamil AR worked great for my daughter who has significant reflux. It has added rice and seems to stay down better than any other formula I tried and I tried them all.

My sister had to switch bottles, not formula. She now uses Dr. Brown bottles and after I read the reviews for them at babiesrus.com, I know I'm going to use them for my new arrival. You can buy them almost anywhere. I lucked out with my first baby - she didn't spit up!

My neice went through this...
I know it sounds scary but consider taking him to a chiropractor that specializes in children.

We found that with a spinal adjustmant once a week for two months- it completely stopped.

It stopped after the first chiropractor appointment- but it was recommended to do it for 8 weeks so her little body got used to being properly adjusted.

You might want to considered this.

Have you tried bringing your baby to a trusted chiropractor? I have done this and so have two of my friends. It took care of the problem! It's worth a try.

Our daughter had reflux too. Soy formula didn't work out for her. We did Gentlease. I know Target has the generic for it. It is lower lactose and easier to digest. It worked good for us. I would give that a try.

I know you have a lot of responses but my son had the same thing! Do you use powdered or ready made formula? The powdered formula made too many bubbles when we shook it and he ended up spitting up all the time, so we switched to ready made formula and he pretty much stopped spitting up all together! I hope this helps!

S.

I work for a chiropractor and we see a fair share of babies come threw with acid reflex, colic, spitting up alot ect... You do not have to bring the baby in continuously, but I see great results. If you are choosing the chirpractic route be sure to ask them when scheduling if they are specialized in this type of care. You do not want just anybody working on your baby.

R.

Hi S.! I would stop the soy formula ASAP! There are terrible things linked to soy. Go to www.mercola.com and search out soy formula to read the research.
Also, the chiropractic treatments would help immensely with acid reflux. I agree that one that specializes in infants is best. Sometimes just a couple of adjustments takes the problem away.
I had a baby that spit up so bad that I remember changing his outfit 4 times before 10am, not to mention that I was SOAKED from stinky spit up(and I was breastfeeding at the time). Chiropractics really helped, I also took my son to a craniosacral therapist.
Good luck to you and congratulations on your baby!

Try: burping more often, feeding less volume in more frequent intervals, or you might try Colic Calm (www.buyactivatedcharcoal.com)

OHhhh, I understand your frustration!!! Our son is the same way!!! He is on Zantac and we recently switched him to Enfamil AR. It's a formula specific for Acid Reflux babies. It has helped a ton, however we are still struggling with a little spit up and weight loss, so we are going to be switching medication next week, per doctor's suggt. My recommendation would be to try the Enfamil AR formula. It slowed down the spitting up enough so that I only have to change him once a day, instead of me, him, and anything he is sitting by three or more times a day!!!! Good luck!

Chiropractors help with this a ton! and all kinds of other things. If there is a misalignment affecting the nerves to her little tummy, it won't be able to function at 100%.

My daughter was adjusted the day she was born, to make sure the birth process didn't cause any misalignments. I wanted her to have a great start! It's very gentle for little ones and not scary at all.

Hi S.,

I had to feed my daughter formula, too (I didn't produce enough milk, and my daughter actually refused to breast feed. The Pediatrician believes 1) she was too small [three weeks early] and 2) that I was taking too many meds for my own health conditions.) We started first with regular Enfamil, but at 6 weeks, she developed what I thought was just peeling dry skin around her neck; turns out, she was allergic to milk protein.

So we had to switch her to soy; we chose to stay within the Enfamil family, but started using their soy formula.

I will say that babies on formula spit up more than babies who are breastfed, for the simple reason that breast milk is easier to digest than formula. I made sure to stop 3-4 times while feeding to burp my daughter and make her "sit up." She still had a fair amount of spit up. She didn't mind a bib, though, so changing clothes wasn't too frequent, but we still did a lot of that, too.

As your son gets bigger and his tummy can hold and digest more, he should do less and less spitting up.

My daughter is now eight years old. After a year of staying off milk products, she's now able to eat anything dairy.

Hope this helps ease your mind a little. :)

A.

Hi S.,
You've already gotten some really good advice here, but I just wanted to let you know that I SOOO know what you're going through. My first son did the same thing--projectile vomit/spitting up, no matter how long after the feeding, soaking clothes & bibs, not being able to go ANYWHERE, even in the house, without a burp cloth (which we went through at least 3/day!). It will get better, as their little bodies grow and the esophegal sphincter develops enough to keep stuff down.

For us, we ended up with Prevacid (until 4 months), Nutramigen (until 6 months, then switched to soy--though I think I would do that differently), and stirring the formula in the bottles to mix instead of shaking. I hope you find something that works for you. Good luck!!
S.

Both my kids were spitters, one medicated too for reflux. There is not much you can do. We would layer on tshirts and peel off one layer at a time as it got dirty. Also invested in some cute burp rags and always ALWAYS had them on my shoulder, tucked in pockets and all over the house. For us, it didn't end till about a year.
Also, ask your doctor for more suggestions, explain your sincere concern. If you get nothing, switch doctors.

Congratulations on your baby!!! When my son was a baby he spit up all the time an we changed his clothes all the time. No matter what we tried to do. If he's is spitting up the same amount depending on soy formula or the regular formula, I'd probably switch back. I learned to always put something heavy, like a diaper cloth rag under his chin until he threw up. My other 2 girls never threw up. I remember trying everything to make him stop, but come to find out that was just the way he was. He was also on acid reflux medicine. AS he got older it did get a little better. Don't give up hope, it will get better!

Hi S.. I am a RN in Public Health, specifically working in Maternal and Family Health. Essentially, I visit new moms and their babies in their homes. I wanted to respond to you right away because I just attended the Asthma and Allergy conference yesterday where a pediatric allergist spoke about what you are experiencing! His name is Dr. Stillman and he said that switching a baby with problems related to cows milk formula to soy formula is one of the biggest mistakes pediatricians make! He said that "if you have problems with cows milk, stay away from soy". He recommended going to an extra hydrolyzed formula like Nutramigen or Alimentum. If you still have problems on those formulas, then your next option is the amino acid formulas like Neocate - but they require a Rx and are very expensive (some insurance companies are covering them now). All of the pediatricians still agree that breast milk is best (and cheapest), so I don't know if that is still an option for you...it would require a lot of work on your part to try and get your milk back, but it is possible.

my angel is almost 4 and he was a spitter upper for a long time. Sometimes there stomache just isn't developed enough to keep the food down. That was the case with him we think, because one day, he just stopped spitting up and we didn't change a thing about what we were doing.

My doctor said that the gentlest formula that they had found was parents choice from Walmart. I didn't believe it, but it helped my first son 10 years ago with gas and spitting up. So I used it again with my second (now 5), he still spit up a lot. He projectile spit up until he was 10 months. I had spit up on my shoulder at all times with him. So even with the gentle formula he still spit up. Every child is different and even though they are spitting up a lot, my doctor reasured me that even if it looks like a lot, he was still getting enough that was staying down. Hang in there and best wishes to you.

S.,
I have a 10 month old beautiful little girl. She also had the same problems that you are talking about with the spitting up. You almost feel like a human spit up rag. Well, let me tell you that it does and will get better. It just takes some time and patience. My little girl spit up constatly until just about 4 weeks ago. So my suggestion is to feed smaller amounts, but more often. Also, we fed our daughter the gentle formula from our Sam's Club, or Cosco depending where you live. Hope this helps. B.

My son had acid reflux and spit up so much! Our doctor told us not to use soy and put him on medicine. We fed him small amounts of milk (breast milk), many times during the day and it helped a ton!!! After every feeding, we would hold him upright for an hour. I also slept with him upright on my chest on our recliner until he was 4 months old to help him keep his night time feedings down and help him with the pain of the acid reflux. It was a lot of work and time, but totaly worth it because it kept the food down and it comforted him a lot. We also put a few drops of organic Chamomile tea in his milk to help his tummy. Not sure if that made a huge difference or not. Our doctor also said there is a thickener you can add to the milk to help weigh it down. We never tried that, though. Let me tell you, it does stop! We thought it was never going to stop. It ran our life-cleaning up his toys, clothes, bedding, etc... Most of all, we felt so helpless. We could tell the acid reflux hurt him so much. It does get so much better-he is still so little!

Try Carnation Good Start--non soy. Unless there is a lactose allergy, you don't need to use soy.

If it doesn't seem to bother your son, it's probably something he will just grow out of. My daughter was a big spitter-upper, too. It drove me nuts. It stunk and was such a mess. She had testing done in the hospital, maybe upper/lower GI, which came back normal. She was tried on medication, but I stopped that as the tests were fine. She was just a spitter. I bought a bunch of those thin flannel blankets, like four or five to a pack, and kept her on them or had them around her or on me for when the spit-up came. It was messy, frustrating, stinky...but something she just had to grow out of. I felt more sorry for her than I did for myself!

I think you should try breast milk instead of formula, unless your doc told you not to for some reason. Breast milk will probably be gentle on his little baby system and it doesn't smell nasty like the formula when it's spit up. Plus it's free and the healthiest. You could pump it. You could still use some formula and some breast milk until you know he's getting enough from you. Maybe take the advice of another doctor? I know my son spit up a lot as a baby, or so I thought. I don't know if it was excessive or not. It just seemed like a lot. good luck!

S.,
I understand your concern, my daughters who are 4 months old also suffer from rflux and spit up a lot. They are on the medication zantac but until recently were on the same dose as when they were first born. After several calls to the doctor we finally got their dose increased to meet their weight. Zantac is a very weight based medication. It has made a difference. They still spit up but it is a lot better. Also I started giving them Probiotics or Acidopholis to help them. It comes in either powder or liquid form. I haven't noticed a difference yet as I just started it with them a couple of days ago.
Good luck.
Jen

Babies digestive system is not fully developed till after 3 months. Both my kids liked to suck so we found they were over eating a little too then spitting it up. So what I am saying is it could be many things but most commonly it is: over eating or digestive system is not mature yet. Babies little tummy has to learn what to do with it all. I ditto some of the other comments about babies spit up. It is one of those things that don't come in the parenting books!!!
Good luck
A.

My second child was like that. We determined it was not vomit, but just spitup, and tried to keep her in a more upright position most of the time, didn't jostle her and kept her in easy-to-change outfits. I always kept a receiving blanket handy, she wore large toddler-style bibs that covered her lap (you can add a ribbon to tie the sides in a little if he's so active that they get in the way) and did a lot of laundry. She got such a reputation with the family that folks would decline to hold her, but the problem passed by the time she started walking.

SAHM of seven

Soy products are incredibly difficult to digestive in adults let alone a newly developing digestive system.

Your child could be allergic to milk products. Ask your doctor if theres any thing else out there that can be used, instead of soy milk. There is a non milk for babys that is in the super market. I will get back to you in a few days with the name of that milk. Good Luck.

My oldest did the same thing. We figured out he was overeating, lactose intolerant, and had a weird reaction to soy- he threw it up every time. We had to switch to lactose-free Enfamil, regulate how much he got, and burp him often.

Im a little late on responding, but dont get around to checking emails as often as I used to. I have a 6 month old who has had the "projectile spit up" since he was 3 months old. The Doctor put him on an antacid (we tried for 1 1/2 months without change) - which my pediatrician (we switched doctors)said he doesnt need. We recently were instructed to try similac sensitive RS - for spit ups...he has been on it for 5 days and there is a MAJOR difference in what comes out now - ALOT less and a bit chuncky (easier to clean up). I guess it thickens when it hits the stomach, making it not as wanting to come back up. We were on the nestle good start natural cultures for his bowels. So far this new hasnt affected his bowel habits either...

You could try to feed him that Neurtaimainge (Sp) formula that worked for my son or try switching bottles. I used the Vent Air ones and they worked great. He could just be getting too much gas build up after eating?

A Dr told us to try to use ready made formula with one of my kids & he was fine. The Dr said there was no reason it should work but he had success with it. It did work on a lactose free formula. For my third child we had to do soy and lactose free. We went to a GI specialist. Ask your Dr. about the gag reflex being developed? With all three of my kids at around 18 mo it was magical and never any problems again. By the way 409 get formula for spiting up out of your clothes. It works even after you put the clothes away clean and you get them out two years later for your next child and the stains came back.

My oldest son had the same problem. He spit up all day/everyday. Started around 5 weeks and lasted until he was 9 months old when his stomach muscle was strong/matured and was able to then keep his food down. I know what an annoyance it is...I traveled w/ burb rags/bibs and many changes of clothes and warned people when they asked to hold him. Just hang in there...it will get better.

Hi S.!
Our little girl had the same issue. She is on acid reflux meds as well and was eating good start. She was vomiting explosively though . I would try a formula call Alimentum( Similac product) it has less protein for your baby to break down in it. Unfortunately it is twice as expensive as other formulas. If that doesn;t work, talk to yorur doctor about a formula called Neocate( Really spendy) but it did the trick for our little one and they can usually write you a prescription for it.

Baby reflux is so common, and it shouldn't be called "reflux" - babies have developing digestive systems and spitting up is normal. Three or four times a day of spitting up is normal, especially since it is a small amount.

Parents all over this country are putting their babies on pharmaceuticals for something that their babies will grow out of in a few months ~ once they can sit up and drink, which is a better position for anyone.

Imagine lying down drinking... you would spit up too.

When a baby lies down on his back to drink, some of the milk inevitably slips back into the esophagus and "spits" out. If you want to avoid this, throw the baby over your arm and burp him before you lay him down. He still may spit up, but have a diaper or rag ready to catch it. He'll sleep better once he's burped too.

Then, let go. Spitting up is normal.

S.-

It sounds to me that your little one needs a medication to help with the Reflux. Some children have it severely for a period of time until their bodies grow enough and the grow right out of it. Two of my neices have had this condition. I could not believe the amount they both spit up and how many clothes changes a day they got. And it did smell. But both were put on a Reflux medication and then in time wheened off and were 100% a OK. I would talk to your pediatrician about this.
Good luck
Kathy

My daughter was the same way, I just had her naked or in a onesie alot. She had reflux too and just eventually outgrew it. Everytime I turned on the video camera she was puking. That's on all her video's.

You can try having him sit more upright if possible.

Both of my children had acid reflux and were constantly spitting up. I was nursing both of them and had to switch to Enfamil with AR ( Added Rice) it allow it to stick to there stomach lining and it stays down a lot easier. They were also on liquid Zyntac which helped alot. Try to keep him burped often and upright when eating and feed in short incriments. There is also a thing called the Tucker Sling that fits to a crib mattress that keeps them propped up at night. Just go to www.tuckersling.com. They work miracles. My daughter had the acid reflux for 2 years and my son only had it for one year. I know it is very frusterating to have to change clothes all the time and your constantly doing laundry!!! Good luck

S., 2 of my 3 children were/are the same way. My son (now age 4) has been diagnosed with True Milk/Soy Protein allergy and my youngest daughter (now 7 months) is having the same symptoms. Our pediatrician has her on Ready to Feed Similac Alimentum formula, which is made for the milk protien sensitivity (the ready to feed is thicker than powdered or concentrated, therefore, it stays down better.) It has really helped. Also, I'm not sure which medication your baby is on for reflux, but my doctor put Kayla through a research study and she is now on Axid. It was initially marketed for reflux disease in children 12 years and older, but has now proven to be effective in infants. My son was on compounded Prilosec for 2 years for his reflux disease. We have also elevated her crib, so she is more upright while sleeping. If you have any questions, or want some more advise or information on this, please feel free to email me at ____@____.com.
A. Schmidt

Don't get real worked up... I know that it is a pin and I have been through it with 2 of my 3 kids. My first two I started using Good Start products. My kids spit them up all the time. I switched them both over to the Wal-mart or target brand soy and it made a hude difference. For my third child he was a bit fussy and was spitting up a lot. I put him on the formula for gas and fussiness ( generic). This seemed to help. It got rid of a lot of the spitting up as it was caused by gas. On the other hand, babies between 6 adn 10 weeks can develop a problem with their upper stomach opening. I guess it isn't growing as it should and ir causes a lot of spitting up and the baby doesn't get the nutrition it needs. They can find out if this is the case by doing an ultra sound and if it is, it can be corrected with simple surgery. It seems to be becoming more of a problem lately.
Hope this is helpful!

Congratulations on your new little one!
First I'd like to say that you should try switching to a non-soy formula or try a goat milk formula. Soy should not be given to babies (or women) as it is a natural form of estrogen. Giving a child soy formula is like having a child take five birth control pills at once. So, if you cannot or are not breastfeeding - please look into a formula that is not soy-based.
Secondly, take your child to a pediatric chiropractor - getting a child adjusted works every time...usually reflux and colic issues are due to some birth trauma that may have occurred. You will be amazed and pleasantly surprised by the results!
Hope this helps!
Hang in there!
C.