May be way too much info here

[Anonymous]

so let me apologize for the graphic description in my post.

Kaden is now almost 6 weeks old. He started out breastfed in the hospital, but then was formula fed from the time we got home when he was 4 days old. He started out on Enfamil A+, then went to a store brand (Kirkland) and then to Good Start (not the one with the omega’s, the regular one). The Enfamil and Kirkland were causing him such terrible pains (which I now believe was the start of the reflux) and his bowel movements smelled so bad, I wanted to throw up. When we went to the Good Start, his stools changed to green (which I know is not uncommon due to the whey and the iron) and they smelled pretty stinky, but not the same as on the enfamil and kirkland.
He started ranitidine a few days ago (just in case it makes a difference) and all of a sudden, his stools are getting smellier, like before.
The best way I can describe them, is like moist garbage. Like when you leave a garbage bag, tied up outside in the sun? The stench that takes your breath away? They smell like that. It is totally disgusting.
They range from peanut butter to almost pudding like in consistency, and alot of times have “curds” or what I think look like little pieces of cottage cheese in them.
His Dr had mentioned switching formula’s, but not at this point. I will have to call him once the Ranitidine is near running out, to see where we go from there.

Anyhow, if you have any thoughts, please share
Thanks again guys, I have already got so much good info from this site, I am so glad I found you all!

Erin & Kaden

[Anonymous]

We can handle graphics around here….no need to apologize!

Really foul-smelling diapers can be a sign of intolerance. Perhaps he is intolerant to milk protein. Even though they sort of ‘cleared up’ with the last formula change and then went back to being awful smelling might have just been what some of us describe as a “honeymoon phase”. All formulas have a short period of time when you first switch that appears to make the ‘better’ at first. He might benefit from Similac Alimentum or Enfamil Nutramigen. If he’s really severe then perhaps Neocate, Elecare or Nutramigen AA Lipil (the aa stands for amino acid, it is Enfamils elemental formula)

My older one could not have any milk protein but was able to have soy and that is kind of rare. Usually when they are sensitive/intolerant to milk protein, they are that way with soy protein as well. My little one required Neocate to be pain free and have normal poops.

HTH!

[Anonymous]

That is what I was thinking about the intolerance. I am guessing that the next step will be to switch formula’s, and the Dr did mention a very costly one that I have never seen or even heard of. I can’t remember, but I think it was Neocate. All I know is that he said it was approx $40-$45 a tin that would last approx 3-4 days and we simply cannot afford it, as bad as that sounds. Unless there is nothing else that will work for him. If it has to be that, then we will find a way. Here in Canada (or at least in my province) there are NO programs to help cover the cost of special formula’s. I have called our pharmacare program and our Public Health system to see if they had any info or knowledge of such………….got a NO each time.

There has to be something, I just have to figure out what.

The Dr did mention (when I had asked him if a switch to a LF or a soy formula would make a difference during our initial appt) that alot of babies who cannot tolerate milk also cannot tolerate soy………and now that I have found this site, I have found lots of info supporting that.

Anyhow, we will see what the poops smell like today and go from there. I have started a calender to take along with to our next appt, as to how his days are ect, so this is one more thing to add………………

I don’t want to swich formula’s without the support of our ped, at least not yet.

I do know that Allimentum and Nutramigen are available here in Canada……………..

Erin

[Anonymous]

I know it is so tough when there is no coverage for Neocate. We got ‘reimbursed’ for it when Landen started on it and then when I lost my job in Sept 07′ and we moved to another state s DH could take a new job, my DH got new insurance with that job, and they absolutely WILL NOT cover it. We’ve been paying out of pocket for it since then. Let’s just say that we have a few credit cards that are pretty maxed out, thanks to the little mans diet.

You could always try Alimentum first, some babies do fine on that kind and in comparison to Neocate, it’s much cheaper.

Good luck! We really feel your pain here!!

jilly782008-05-10 11:52:44

[Anonymous]

Hey, I was going to suggest that it’s an intolerance too. The “curds” in the poo sound like they are maybe some mucous, and I know my son’s poo smelled awful before I started the TED.

I think a switch to one of the hypoallergenic formulas would be a good idea. If you can find Alimentum or Nutrimgaen I would go for it.

And, if it comes to it, and you have to move to Neocate, I do know that many moms have had some great luck buying it on Ebay. Not sure how you feel about that, but maybe some other moms can give you the names of some of the sellers they trusted. I think Erica bought hers on Ebay, but I’m not sure.

[Anonymous]

Ebay is certainly something to keep in mind. I think if the Dr wants to do a “trial” on neocate (which is what he suggested, for 2 weeks), then I am going to request that he provide us with sample tins of it. Problem is, if it works then we have to continue with it. But I keep telling myself that we will cross that bridge when we get to it…………..

I am definatly thinking intolerance to something though, due to the excessive stench of the diapers. They are pretty gross. And this last one was runny, not diarrhea runny, but runny enough that if I was to lift the diaper up and let one end hang for any amount of time, it would be dripping off of it.

Will definatly be mentioning this to the ped when I talk to him in the near future……………….Kaden is gaining weight, so that is a good indication that something is staying inside him………………..

And he is WAY LESS cranky today (so far, knock on wood) so that means that the ranitidine is working, which means this really is reflux…………

Thanks for your help

[Author]

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