Have you been up all night with a screaming/crying baby? Was it because of gas or they were colicky? Well, the bad news is you can’t always fix the gas problems and crying issues at night, but the good news is that you can learn signs that you need to switch formulas. Sometimes switching formulas is the best thing you can do for your baby and yourself. Especially when you could use that extra shut-eye! Whether you are a new mom or an experienced mom it can be hard to tell the signs of a baby not taking to formula. So here are a few tips that can help you decide to switch or help you speak to your doctor about switching formulas.
Side Note: Always consult your doctor before switching formulas. They may tell you not to switch to a certain formula for a certain reason.
Discomfort during feedings is a huge sign that your baby may need to switch formulas. When you feed your baby if she seems uncomfortable or is making upset noises she may not like the formula she is taking. Often, too high of iron in the formula is an issue that causes this. Another sign with discomfort during eating is the baby not taking enough of the formula itself. That means the baby doesn’t like the formula and not that the baby isn’t hungry. Babies by nature are hungry a lot because all they do is eat and sleep for the most part during the first month of life! So if your baby seems to be uncomfortable when eating you should talk to your doctor about switching to a different formula.
Frequent spit up is another symptom of a formula not being right for your baby. If your baby is constantly spitting up their food, then you need to speak to your pediatrician asap! More than often it’s a formula issue, but it could be something more serious so don’t wait to tell your doctor if you’re having a lot of spit up. You don’t want your baby to get malnutrition. He or She needs all the nutrients to grow and maintain healthy brain functioning.
Not sleeping is a huge warning sign. It’s normal to be up with a baby, but if your child is constantly not eating or squirming when they are eating then you need to talk to your doctor about switching formulas. A baby should sleep randomly throughout the day and should be sleeping somewhat at night. If they are up all night constantly there may be an issue with the formula, they are eating.
Gas is one of the most well-known signs you need to switch formulas. If your and child is super gassy lots of farting and burping, then you need to make sure that your child switches formula. Gas is not only uncomfortable for their tiny bellies, but it’s usually a sign they aren’t taking to a certain type of formula. Iron is the main cause of this and then dairy formula can be a problem too. Many people switch to soy formula because it’s easier on the baby’s digestive tract.
Trouble pooping is another sign many parents don’t think about. If your child isn’t pooping regularly and is having a hard time having a bowel movement when they are eventually pooping it is probably a formula issue! Usually, there is an ingredient in the formula causing an issue for the baby so you have to talk with your doctor and keep switching until you find the formula that works best for you and your baby. Now it’s important if your baby isn’t pooping to consult your doctor first because there could be a bigger issue like an anatomical issue that wasn’t caught after birth or an obstructed bowel. Unfortunately, baby’s intestines don’t work as well as an adult’s tract yet so they can become obstructed much easier than us. So it’s important to talk with the doctor right away if you notice issues with their poop or pee.
If your baby is fussing for no reason. You have changed their diaper and they are dry, you have fed them and they are full, you have rocked and cradled them, you have swaddled them, their temperature isn’t too cold or too hot, and they aren’t sick then you may have a baby with colic. This means you need to change the formula and see if it helps. Otherwise, it could be something more serious such as an internal infection. However, the majority of the time the formula is the culprit.
Now many moms who supplement or who are breastfeeding have these same issues. Usually with breastfeeding moms, if it’s not the formula they are supplementing with then it’s something in their diet affecting the baby. The best way to track down what’s bothering your baby is to write down everything you’re eating. Surprisingly it can be something as simple as eating onions or dairy in your own diet that is causing the baby intestinal distress. Keeping a food diary for you and a formula diary for the baby will help you and your doctor figure out what’s going on and help your baby feel better sooner.
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