How many days should you keep trying a new formula before you decide its just not for your baby?

Alicia - posted on 12/18/2009

good question! Has been awhile but, at least 2 weeks, would suggest a predigested formula

Barbara - posted on 12/04/2009

As soon as you know its not right for your baby. If baby just isn't happy try something else. You want baby to be comfortable.

Amy - posted on 12/04/2009

when we switched to formula I believe we used Good Start and had no issues. I would say at least a week as there could be other things causing it too. Hope that one works for you!

Ashley - posted on 12/04/2009

My doctor told me to wait 2 and 1/2 weeks. If there is no change by that time make an apt to see your doctor about what formula you should switch to. My son was projectile thowing up. i Finally quit asking my doctor what to do and switched him to O Organics Milk Based formula and he almost instantly quit. To this day he does not so much as spit up. It takes time to fine the formula that is right for your child.

Elizabeth - posted on 12/04/2009

Sometimes if the issues is constipation, the iron in the formula might to high. We switched our son to low iron good start and it worked for him. He should not have been constipated b/c was also breastfed... but it was just too much iron in the formula.

Aniceta - posted on 12/04/2009

I just recently learned from a project I had to do, that there are MANY different types for many different conditions. There are some for acid reflux, there is also one "elemental formula" that is for babies w/milk protein and soy allergies, as well as an "amino acid based formula" for babies that can't handle the elemental. so, if your baby is allergic to the milk-based, and soy, check with your doctor to see if he has allergies to protein, soy and lactose that require a much different formula then the regular prescribed formulas.

Crystal - posted on 12/04/2009

My doctor told me try it for at least a month and if it does not work by then, call them and see what you should do. But im also young and so i think my doctors thought i was stupid and picky. I have went from Good start gentle plus to similac alimentum and finally to elecare which is prescribed.

Tara - posted on 12/04/2009

hope you find something that works. it can really be frustrating when your baby is not adjusting well to milk and they have all the side affects of colic. been there and glad my youngest doesn't have those problems. hope you find something soon for yours and your baby's sake!

Caitlyn - posted on 12/04/2009

I've had to change my son's formula 4 times since he was born. Each time they told us to wait at least a week to see if it will work for him, but sometimes it can take up to two weeks to get the old formula out of their system. He was on Similac Advanced, Similac Isomil, Enfamil Nutramigen, and now Enfamil AR. It's been a long road for him and he is only 3 months old. It gets better.

Rachel - posted on 12/04/2009

Quoting Tara:

my doc always told me that it takes a few days for the digestive system to adjust to new formula. so sometime between 7-10 days. he said you will see diff good or bad in that time period. but that was 8 years ago when my oldest had problems with SEVERE spit up. he'd spit up like half his bottle it looked like vomiting instead of spitting up. if that's what is wrong with your baby you may want to look at something soybased like enfamil prosoybe. it worked wonders for him!

yes thank you tara... he was on soy based but it gave him awful constipation so the doctor recommended taking him off it... first milk based i tried was parents choice which is walmart brand that gave him awful spit up so im now trying Good Start and he seems to be having difficulty with it.. not sure if thats because its only been 2 days or because this formula is not a good choice for him

Melissa - posted on 12/04/2009

It all depends. I had some issues with this when my now 14 month old twins were newborns. I was feeding them regular similac and pumped breast milk. I decided to go with the organic similac and switched them over all at once. Not a good idea. They both got horrible constipation. I immediately switched back to the stuff I had been using. All that switching all at once was not a great idea because little tummies were so small and not mature yet. My ped told me to wait at least 4 to 5 days because the effects of anything new would not necessarily show up until then. Although, they had me try soy milk with one of my twins and he began projectile vomiting. I immediately stopped that one. I wasn't about to give him something that made him vomit and wait 4 days for that one. Good luck with your decisions - I know it can be frustrating.

Tara - posted on 12/04/2009

my doc always told me that it takes a few days for the digestive system to adjust to new formula. so sometime between 7-10 days. he said you will see diff good or bad in that time period. but that was 8 years ago when my oldest had problems with SEVERE spit up. he'd spit up like half his bottle it looked like vomiting instead of spitting up. if that's what is wrong with your baby you may want to look at something soybased like enfamil prosoybe. it worked wonders for him!