Cows Milk / Goats Milk

[Brontesmum]

I am currently breastfeeding and topping up with formula and having been doing so since about 3 weeks (she is now 8 weeks). I was originally using Cows Milk (Karicare) but was finding that she was experiencing excessive wind. It was then suggested she may be lactose intolerant and have now gone to Goats Milk (Karicare) - only up to 3rd day. I am now finding she seems to be suffering from a mild dose (so far) of constipation. I have double checked that I am adding the right amount of formula and adding water first. Now I am confused as to what I should use - should I go back to Cows Milk or stay with the Goats Milk. Would welcome any advice from anyone who has experienced or knows of someone who has been down the same road. Many Thanks. S. :o

[Lachlan's Mum]

Hi Brontesmum

My Lachlan was a reflux baby and when he was really little - before diagnosed properly we too were told he might be lactose intolerant and/or allergic to cows milk etc etc....anyway one of our probs was wind and constipation....and the constipation issue continued even after he was diagnosed and medicated for reflux. The best thing we did was put him on formula called NAN HA1 - it is a cows milk one but is easy to digest as is partially broken down.....poos go soft and really smelly but is really good on bubs tummy :) It was recommended to us by several people and I am now happy to recommend it too. If you like the Karicare brand I believe they too have a HA variety...maybe in their sensicare range.....should do the same thing.

Hope this helps! ;)

ALSO - one thing a CHN said to me was to watch out for evaporation when you fill bottles with boiling water ie. when you fill to the right amount when really hot - later when the water cools down some may have evaporated...once I took notice I realised can be up to 10mls.....the end result being too much formula/not enough water = constipation....just thought I'd mention this.

[mamafelix]

Hi Brontesmum

if you are still breastfeeding I would increase the amount of breastmilk if you can- it is the best natural laxative for small babies.
Can you give an extra feed of the breast or express a little more?
Remembering of course that the more you feed from your breasts the more milk you will produce. You might know all this already but the best time to express is when your baby is feeding on the other breast, so you catch the let downs. To increase supply you could try taking the herbal supplement fenugreek, it can be very effective.

hth

[Brontesmum]

Many thanks MamaFelix and Lachlan's Mum and advise is well appreciated. Lachlan's mum - funny you should mention that particular formula as I had my appointment with the paeditrician yesterday and she suggested that same formula as you have mentioned - so will try that one. I will also try the extra feeding with the breast to see how that goes. I guess all part of the trial and error of first time mum - Thanks again ladies. Enjoy the rest of your day.

[Ivy-Rose]

Hello,
Just a quick mention of this. Please read the goats milk formula very carefully as I read one that says that it has lactose extracted from cows milk and put into the goat fromula. Please please read all info on tins before choosing.
My little girl is diary intolernat and couldn't have goat formula because of this.
Emma

[Celina]

I am currently breastfeeding and topping up with formula and having been doing so since about 3 weeks (she is now 8 weeks). I was originally using Cows Milk (Karicare) but was finding that she was experiencing excessive wind. It was then suggested she may be lactose intolerant and have now gone to Goats Milk (Karicare) - only up to 3rd day. I am now finding she seems to be suffering from a mild dose (so far) of constipation. I have double checked that I am adding the right amount of formula and adding water first. Now I am confused as to what I should use - should I go back to Cows Milk or stay with the Goats Milk. Would welcome any advice from anyone who has experienced or knows of someone who has been down the same road. Many Thanks. S. :o
Hi there,
I started my little girl off on Karicare and she too started to get constipated - she on the other hand didn't bring her wind up very well at all. I switched to Bellamy's Organic Formula and it stopped her constipation (eventually - I did have to massage her for a week or two to help her out). I now have my son on the Bellamy's Organic Formula and we brings up his wind with no worries and has not been constipated since birth. (Touch wood!!). Hope this helps.
Cel.