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Infant / Baby Formula: What's the difference?
Formula changes should never be done without the supervision of a pediatrician, especially in those very early months. Changing formulas too often can cause confusion, stomach upset, and eating problems for infants, so choose wisely and with the advice of a health care professional!
Many babies and toddlers with reflux do benefit by changing from the ordinary milk-based formula to something more easily digested. Because ingredients like milk and soy can aggravate reflux in a sensitive child, formulas free of these ingredients can also be beneficial in some cases.
If a true allergy or intolerance is present, an abrupt formula change will show obvious improvement within a day or two. My experience has told me that Noah would tell us within one or two bottles whether he was doing better or worse on a formula. Some pediatricians, however, advise a transition between formulas by mixing the two together until the old one is completely phased out and the new formula makes up 100% of the bottle. Ask your child's pediatrician which is best in your specific case.
Milk-based formula (ie, Similac Advance or Enfamil LIPIL) is almost always started at birth, and used up until age one if no problems are present.
Soy formula (ie, Similac Isomil or Enfamil ProSobee) is used when a milk allergy or intolerance is discovered or suspected. Some infants with reflux do much better on soy formula, as it can be easier to digest if the child is intolerant.
Milk and soy formulas with broken down proteins (ie, Nestl￩ Good Start or Enfamil Gentlease) can also be beneficial to an infant with digestive concerns. Some pediatricians recommend these brands over regular formulas because they are easier to digest. An infant with an intolerance may tolerate a formula with broken down proteins before tolerating the unaltered formula, but this is not always the case.
Lactose-free formulas (ie, Similac Lactose Free or Enfamil LactoFree) are used to treat an infant that cannot tolerate lactose. Lactose-intolerance is usually characterized by uncomfortable fullness, severe gas, and diarrhea. This formula can be easier to digest for an infant without the intolerance, so it is used by some pediatricians to help with reflux.
Hypoallergenic formulas (ie, Similac Alimentum, Enfamil Nutramigen, Neocate, or Peptamen Junior) are specifically designed for an infant who does not tolerate milk and soy due to an allergy or an intolerance. Although each may contain traces of milk and soy proteins, they are in their smallest form and are typically not recognized by the body. These formulas work best for an infant with MSPI or MSPA. Hypoallergenic formulas are extremely easy to digest, so they can also help ease digestive problems in a child with reflux. My son's reflux and eating improved drastically on hypoallergenic formula.
When switching formulas, start at the top of the list and work down so that you are not unknowingly excluding your child from a food that he/she can tolerate. Remember to consult your child's doctor, and to refrain from making too many changes in a short period of time!
Written by: Noah's Mom, Maggie
Read more about Reflux Information:
Foods that Aggravate GERD,
Non-Medical Treatments for Infant Reflux / GERD,
The Struggle of Feeding an Infant or Toddler with Reflux / GERD,
The Ultra-Bland Reflux Diet
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