Formula Change???

[Melagaggie]

Hi

Lachie has been suffering from constipation for a little while - I'm assuming it is the Karicare AR formula. I know these formulas are known for constipation so had been giving water with every day feed which made no difference. Last night I gave water with brown sugar with instant success. I obviously don't want to continue with this so was wondering.....should I try say a normal formula ie Heinz Nurture Gold with Karicare Thickener or try something like Karicare Sensicare HA AR??

Any advice would be much appreciated!!

Mel

[kiwibird27]

Can I ask what makes Karicare AR different to the others, I don't know much about formula, my daughter is on prescription formula. I know the thickener causes constipation too!!!!

[Melagaggie]

Sorry - AR is their anti-reflux formula. Lachie was diagnosed with reflux and this has helped a lot. That's why I don't really want to take him off a thickened formula.

[kiwibird27]

I honestly think it's the thickener part, not the formula itself. Changing formula and adding thickener will do the same thing. Sorry not really helpful. You could ask your doctor to prescribe something for it????? I guess he can't have too much water cause then he would vomit??!!

Only think with adding thickener yourself, perhaps u could add less??? But then his reflux may get worse

[Mrs Potts]

Try Coloxyl drops. They are perfectly safe for long term use. They are a stool softener, rather than a laxative, and draw water into the bowel. It isn't absorbed into the baby's system like the sugar water is.

Some people also recommend Infant's Friend but I've never tried it. Coloxyl worked perfectly for DS and works now for DD. If you're unsure about it talk to your GP or pharmacist. Probably don't waste time talking to a MACH/MCH nurse about it as they only ever recommend giving extra water, which in my experience just doesn't work if the constipation is chronic.

I agree that with the thickeners changing formula probably won't make a difference. Good luck!