How to Choose a Formula for a Colicky Baby
One-fourth of all newborns suffer from colic, or prolonged crying episodes that last for hours around the same time each day. An allergy to cow's milk found in traditional baby formula is the cause of some babies' colic. By changing the formula you feed your baby, you can help to alleviate his colic and give both of you the peace and quiet you need.
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Instructions
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Buy baby formula that is lactose-free, if your pediatrician suspects that your baby's colic is due to a milk allergy.
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Choose a formula with whey protein, which is the highest quality protein available in baby formula. Whey protein is gentle on developing digestive systems because it doesn't form curds inside infants' stomachs, and it also causes babies to produce soft stools, which indicate easy digestion.
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Try a baby formula that's made from soy. However, if your baby is allergic to the cow's milk in traditional infant formula, he may have the same colicky reaction to soy-based infant formula.
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Select a hypoallergenic formula if your baby's colic doesn't subside after trying formula made from whey protein and soy. Keep in mind that hypoallergenic formula is very costly, but it's worth the price if it can alleviate some of your colicky baby's crying episodes.
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Tips & Warnings
Your colicky baby may have a formula intolerance if he is fussy while you're feeding him, or immediately after, if he vomits or spits up excessively during or after a feeding or if he isn't gaining weight as he should.
Consult your colicky baby's pediatrician if you suspect she is allergic to the cow's-milk-based formula you are feeding her. Follow the pediatrician's recommendations before attempting any changes on your own.
It may take a week or more for your colicky baby to show signs of improvement following a formula switch.
Make the change from one formula to another slowly. Making a quick switch may make your baby's colic temporarily worse instead of better.
Do not switch your colicky baby to formula that is low in iron. Babies' nutritional requirements aren't met by low-iron formulas, and your baby could develop an iron deficiency.
Comments
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southernotmom
Jul 15, 2009
Overall good information. But wouldn't want someone to be confused by step #1. If a baby has a severe milk allergy such as reacting with anaphylaxis or hives, then he/she should not consume lactose-free formulas because they are still milk-based. Choosing a lactose free formula is for children who can't properly digest lactose due to a deficiency with the lactase enzyme; this can happen for various reasons such as GI infections. A milk allergy is a response of the immune system to the different proteins such as casein and whey; those babies may need elemental formula such as Neocate. Some babies that have sensitivities but not an immune response, do well with hydrolysate formulas because the proteins are broken down for easier digestion; an example is Nutramigen. I am posting this because my child has a true milk allergy and was rushed to the hospital from an anaphylatic reaction whe...
