Neocate….Milk Challenge ???'s

[Anonymous]

Hello Ladies~ My DD Katie is almost 4 months old. (35 week preemie) She was diagnosed with MSPA at 2 weeks of age and put on Neocate after FTT at 2 weeks of life. She is now a happy & very healthy 18 pounder almost 4 month old.

We have an appointment with her Ped. GI Dr. and I know that he will want to do a milk challenge. At her last appointment he said he wanted to if she was thriving which she is (Thank Goodness) Here is the the questions……Her sypmtons that came with the MSPA were

* runny stools/ Hema positive stools ~ Only via Ph paper ~ Some visable when changing formulas from Nutramigen to Neocate…….

* Loosing weight

* lethargic?!?!?

But now that she is older I am scared & don’t really know what to look for or expect with this challenge??? Neocate is working for her & we have help to pay for it via WIC & her Health Ins. So do I wait it out a little longer or do I agree to the Milk Challenge???

Any of your experiences (origanal & challenge symptoms ) or thoughts would be much appreciated ~ Thank You Heidi

SAHMtoAZL&K2007-08-15 14:12:51

[Anonymous]

We never had to do Neocate, but we did several trials from milk based formulas to Alimentum and back and forth…Sarah’s symptoms were mainly behavioral. Cranky, whiny, clingy…not her normal self. Some other symptoms may include the mucousy/bloody stools, rashes, excema etc…

If you have been using Neocate, I would make the switch to Alimentum or Nutramigen. They are milk based but MUCH gentler than a regular milk based formula. A common step from there is Good Start. It is also broken down, but not as much as the alimentum route.

GOOD LUCK!

[Anonymous]

I would hold off on the challenge personally. Most babies don’t outgrow the intolerance before 6-9monhts according to my ped GI and well I am going to wait until at least 9months before I change from Nutramigen to regular formula and then I plan on changing to Gentelase first before going to regular enfamil. Those are just what my plans are. I am sure others will chime in as well. I am glad that she is doing so well on the Neocate. My philosophy is “if it ain’t broken don’t change it” .

[Anonymous]

I agree with Beth completely! I think she is still very young to try a milk challenge. It’s so great to hear she is thriving on the Neocate. If paying the high cost for it isn’t a concern, I would hold off on a change for now. Remember, you do have the last say – don’t feel pressured into trying something you aren’t sure about. I would personally wait until at least 8-9 months to change anything, and as the other’s mentioned, I would recommend transitioning to a formula like Alimentum or Nutramigen first, then to GoodStart or Gentlease after that.

If or when you do change, some symptoms of intolerance include mucous or blood in the stool, extreme gassiness causing discomfort, rash or eczema, overall unsettled or irritable behaviour, and possibly worsened sleep habits (usually as a result of the GI symptoms).

Good luck with whatever you decide!

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