How do I determine whether its the stomach virus or formula not agreeing with my son anymore?

Valerie - posted on 11/13/2009

be patient; give it a few more days unless he is developing a fever, lethargic, which could mean dehydration or something else. feel free to call the doctor and nurse often with questions; that is what they are there for...

Jenna - posted on 11/13/2009

Quoting LaLasha:

I am no doctor however I am lactose intolerant and you son may have a cow dairy issue I would suggest switching him to a sensative soy based and if it keeps it then he may be gluten intolerant or soy intolerant try to have him tested for food allergies asap because a stomach virus doesn't last this long

I wouldn't have thought it would be a gluten intollerance just yet if he is only on formula. My daughter has jst been diagnosed with coeliac disease (gluten intollernce) and she didn't show signs until she was on food. My brother was the same as you are decribing and he was put on soy formula from 6 weeks and he was fine after that.

Sherline - posted on 11/11/2009

Quoting LaLasha:

I am no doctor however I am lactose intolerant and you son may have a cow dairy issue I would suggest switching him to a sensative soy based and if it keeps it then he may be gluten intolerant or soy intolerant try to have him tested for food allergies asap because a stomach virus doesn't last this long

Thanks alot...I am definitely getting on the phone with his doctor tomorrow and having him seen again... I will probably bring a dirty diaper so they can see what I am talking about.  Plus he has gotten a rash since Sunday....thanks again....

ps my son is such a trooper , he doesnt seem to be affected by all this.  He doesnt cry and he eats as normal.

LaLasha - posted on 11/11/2009

I am no doctor however I am lactose intolerant and you son may have a cow dairy issue I would suggest switching him to a sensative soy based and if it keeps it then he may be gluten intolerant or soy intolerant try to have him tested for food allergies asap because a stomach virus doesn't last this long

Sherline - posted on 11/11/2009

Quoting LaLasha:

what is his skin like? is it redder then normal inflamed in anyway? is her getting diaper rash or anyother rash because if he is that could be a sign of intolerance to his formula

His skin is fine however, he has like heat bumps on his face and on his neck some on his back.  He started getting diaper rash so I am putting the cream at every changing.  His bowel movement are still loose and not like before however the doctors told me to start the new formula and give it three days,,,today makes it the third day and I dont see much of a difference.  He still poops on himself when he just passes gas and thats not normal and I hear his stomach grumbling as well.

LaLasha - posted on 11/11/2009

what is his skin like? is it redder then normal inflamed in anyway? is her getting diaper rash or anyother rash because if he is that could be a sign of intolerance to his formula

Sherline - posted on 11/11/2009

Quoting Sharalyn:

Quoting Sherline:

Quoting Sharalyn:

Stomach virus usually last up to 24-48 hours. It might be the formula. My daughter had an allergic reactions to milk formula and soy formule that basically have the same protein base. She wasn't use to the protein and her body didn't break it down as much. She also brokes out in these red bump like-hives on her face and the doctor called it eczema and trust me I know what eczema is (I grew up with it!) and my baby DID NOT had eczema. As soon as I switched her formula for the THIRD time to SIMILAC ALEMENTUM for colic babies and severe allergies, her symptoms cleared right up. I cried so hard for an hour, thinking that what the doctors told me was correct and in all, they were so wrong. Ask your doctor if you should switch to Similac Alimentum, its a purple lid can. Trust me, it helped out so much. Hope this helps.

Thank you so much for taking the time to help.  I'm a first time mom and I wasnt sure.  I have notice little heat bumps on his face and neck as well.  I am going to call the doctor and ask them if I should try this formula to see if he tolerate it better.  Oh how I wished I had continued to breastfeed, I know for next time.

 

Do not beat yourself up over it. I did breastfeed for a month and I thought I should've kept breastfeeding too, until the red bumps popped up even when I was breastfeeding, then I started her on regular formula thinking that was the best. Turned out she was allergic to EVERYTHING I ate which was the nutrition in my breastmilk along with the protein base in both milk and soy formula's.

 

Yes! The heat bumps are awful. My daughter was constantly scratching at herself. But I highly suggest Alimentum, it literally saved my daughter's life. Beware though, Alimentum is really expensive, I had to get on WIC to be able to get it everymonth for my daughter. It goes for $25 a pop for a 16 oz can.

These formula are very expensive..... I wonder if I qualify for WIC even though I am married?

Sherline - posted on 11/11/2009

Quoting Katie:

Nutramigen is the Enfamil version of Alimentum, so it should do the trick for your son if his issue is allergy-related - give it a few more days! :)

Its been three days so I will give it a couple of more days.

Sherline - posted on 11/11/2009

Quoting Katie:

Hi Sherline,
Are you breastfeeding at all or is he strictly getting this formula? I would suggest giving the new formula a shot for the rest of the week, then if he still hasn't improved call your pediatrician back for a follow up. How many poops is he having in a day? As long as he is acting ok, and not looking dehydrated, he should be fine to keep giving the formula a try. If it was a stomach bug, switching formulas wouldn't help him, so maybe he just had a gastroeneritis, and that should clear itself up within a week or so. Main thing to look out for is diarrhea, and make sure that he is not getting dehydrated since he can lose a lot of water from the diarrhea. If you are at all concerned that your son isn't acting himself, is sleepy and not eating like usual, or the soft spot on his head looks very sunken in (like the inside of a bowl) you would want to call your doctor right away. I hope this helps, let me know if you have any other questions!
Katie - pediatric nurse and mommy of 1

I started off breasfeeding but went to formula after three weeks.  He was on Good Start and so Sunday, the doctors gave me Nutramigen/Lipil and told me to try it for three days and see what happens.  To me, nothing has changed but they told me he didnt look dehydrated.  He is having a diarrhea looking bowel movement at every feeding which is every two-three hours.  I did notic the soft spot on his head looked more sunken then normal but my husband said its normal.  He eats at every feeding with no problem and sleeps fine.  I will call my doctor first thing in the morning...thank you again

Katie - posted on 11/11/2009

Nutramigen is the Enfamil version of Alimentum, so it should do the trick for your son if his issue is allergy-related - give it a few more days! :)

Sherline - posted on 11/11/2009

Quoting Jennifer:

Tiny tummies are sensitive to some formulas, so it could take several switches before you find the one that's right for your son. My daughter breastfed for 9 months and had a terrible time when I had to put her on formula. We switched to several kinds and she finally ended up on Similac Alimentum (purple lid). It's pretty expensive and smells terrible, but it worked for my daughter and she liked it. If you've tried other formulas, I'd take him back to the Dr. Try to keep documentation of what you've tried and what his BMs look like. They may ask that you bring in his last diaper so they can take a stool sample. Be sure to not leave any wipies in the diaper when you take it in...it can interfere with the results. Good luck and I hope your son feels better soon!

Thank you so much....someone else suggested the same formula.  The one the doctors gave me is Nutrameguen....I think I spelled it wrong and it smells horrible.  My son doesnt seem to care, he just drinks it... I wished I would have continued to breasfeed like I had planned.  Thanks again

Sharalyn - posted on 11/11/2009

Quoting Sherline:

Quoting Sharalyn:

Stomach virus usually last up to 24-48 hours. It might be the formula. My daughter had an allergic reactions to milk formula and soy formule that basically have the same protein base. She wasn't use to the protein and her body didn't break it down as much. She also brokes out in these red bump like-hives on her face and the doctor called it eczema and trust me I know what eczema is (I grew up with it!) and my baby DID NOT had eczema. As soon as I switched her formula for the THIRD time to SIMILAC ALEMENTUM for colic babies and severe allergies, her symptoms cleared right up. I cried so hard for an hour, thinking that what the doctors told me was correct and in all, they were so wrong. Ask your doctor if you should switch to Similac Alimentum, its a purple lid can. Trust me, it helped out so much. Hope this helps.

Thank you so much for taking the time to help.  I'm a first time mom and I wasnt sure.  I have notice little heat bumps on his face and neck as well.  I am going to call the doctor and ask them if I should try this formula to see if he tolerate it better.  Oh how I wished I had continued to breastfeed, I know for next time.

Do not beat yourself up over it. I did breastfeed for a month and I thought I should've kept breastfeeding too, until the red bumps popped up even when I was breastfeeding, then I started her on regular formula thinking that was the best. Turned out she was allergic to EVERYTHING I ate which was the nutrition in my breastmilk along with the protein base in both milk and soy formula's.

Yes! The heat bumps are awful. My daughter was constantly scratching at herself. But I highly suggest Alimentum, it literally saved my daughter's life. Beware though, Alimentum is really expensive, I had to get on WIC to be able to get it everymonth for my daughter. It goes for $25 a pop for a 16 oz can.

Sherline - posted on 11/11/2009

Quoting carol:

call your doctor, tell them what's going on, and urge they make a sound decision. don't let this go for too long. i had a friend whose baby was lactose intolerant and she ended up almost having kidney failure because of stupid doctors telling her to wait it out :(

Thank you, I will call them first thing in the morning.  They told me to wait 3 days to see changes but his stomach still makes a grumbling noise and when he passes gas, he poops on himself and its somewhat liquid but not massive. 

Sherline - posted on 11/11/2009

Quoting Sharalyn:

Stomach virus usually last up to 24-48 hours. It might be the formula. My daughter had an allergic reactions to milk formula and soy formule that basically have the same protein base. She wasn't use to the protein and her body didn't break it down as much. She also brokes out in these red bump like-hives on her face and the doctor called it eczema and trust me I know what eczema is (I grew up with it!) and my baby DID NOT had eczema. As soon as I switched her formula for the THIRD time to SIMILAC ALEMENTUM for colic babies and severe allergies, her symptoms cleared right up. I cried so hard for an hour, thinking that what the doctors told me was correct and in all, they were so wrong. Ask your doctor if you should switch to Similac Alimentum, its a purple lid can. Trust me, it helped out so much. Hope this helps.

Thank you so much for taking the time to help.  I'm a first time mom and I wasnt sure.  I have notice little heat bumps on his face and neck as well.  I am going to call the doctor and ask them if I should try this formula to see if he tolerate it better.  Oh how I wished I had continued to breastfeed, I know for next time.

Katie - posted on 11/11/2009

Hi Sherline,

Are you breastfeeding at all or is he strictly getting this formula? I would suggest giving the new formula a shot for the rest of the week, then if he still hasn't improved call your pediatrician back for a follow up. How many poops is he having in a day? As long as he is acting ok, and not looking dehydrated, he should be fine to keep giving the formula a try. If it was a stomach bug, switching formulas wouldn't help him, so maybe he just had a gastroeneritis, and that should clear itself up within a week or so. Main thing to look out for is diarrhea, and make sure that he is not getting dehydrated since he can lose a lot of water from the diarrhea. If you are at all concerned that your son isn't acting himself, is sleepy and not eating like usual, or the soft spot on his head looks very sunken in (like the inside of a bowl) you would want to call your doctor right away. I hope this helps, let me know if you have any other questions!

Katie - pediatric nurse and mommy of 1

Jennifer - posted on 11/11/2009

Tiny tummies are sensitive to some formulas, so it could take several switches before you find the one that's right for your son. My daughter breastfed for 9 months and had a terrible time when I had to put her on formula. We switched to several kinds and she finally ended up on Similac Alimentum (purple lid). It's pretty expensive and smells terrible, but it worked for my daughter and she liked it. If you've tried other formulas, I'd take him back to the Dr. Try to keep documentation of what you've tried and what his BMs look like. They may ask that you bring in his last diaper so they can take a stool sample. Be sure to not leave any wipies in the diaper when you take it in...it can interfere with the results. Good luck and I hope your son feels better soon!

Sherline - posted on 11/11/2009

Quoting Shandy:

Does he have a fever or lots of spit up?

No, he doesnt have any fever and he does spit up sometimes. I'm a first time mom so I dont know if it normal.  I intend to call the doctor again tomorrow.

Sharalyn - posted on 11/11/2009

Stomach virus usually last up to 24-48 hours. It might be the formula. My daughter had an allergic reactions to milk formula and soy formule that basically have the same protein base. She wasn't use to the protein and her body didn't break it down as much. She also brokes out in these red bump like-hives on her face and the doctor called it eczema and trust me I know what eczema is (I grew up with it!) and my baby DID NOT had eczema. As soon as I switched her formula for the THIRD time to SIMILAC ALEMENTUM for colic babies and severe allergies, her symptoms cleared right up. I cried so hard for an hour, thinking that what the doctors told me was correct and in all, they were so wrong. Ask your doctor if you should switch to Similac Alimentum, its a purple lid can. Trust me, it helped out so much. Hope this helps.

Shandy - posted on 11/11/2009

Does he have a fever or lots of spit up?

Carol - posted on 11/11/2009

call your doctor, tell them what's going on, and urge they make a sound decision. don't let this go for too long. i had a friend whose baby was lactose intolerant and she ended up almost having kidney failure because of stupid doctors telling her to wait it out :(