Also, found this website that has elemental formulas for somewhat cheaper than normal (ie: $37.50 per can of Neocate) with free shipping.

http://www.babywuvinc.com/

Hi folks.....for those of you who don't know....The PIC Foundation has a "formula bank" where we give donated formula to families in financial need. I'm sure you all know that many insurance companies don't cover the elemental formulas and they are very expensive. So if you have any elecare or neocate or anything else that your child no longer uses and you would like to donate, please let us know. Most families are happy to pay shipping costs to get some free formula.

We currently have 4 cans of unflavored Elecare, 1 can of vanilla Elecare, and 5 - 8oz cans of Alimentum. If anyone needs these, please let me know. We give first pick to those in financial need (ie: no insurance coverage and no WIC coverage). thanks

cbryant@thepicfoundation.org

Stefanie: My bet is on the beef.

Edited by author 06-20-2009 08:14 AM
A quick update from us-- we are introducing breast milk slowly-- three feedings yesterday and then at the 4AM feeding today. For the most part it is going great-- two good days Thurs and Friday!! My milk supply is hanging in there and I am thrilled. I am keeping a food diary. Last night was an experiment for sure b/c I had a complete MSPI friendly meal that included bread and beef and tomato (through ketchup) -- I was just HOPING that he wasn't sensitive to those things too-- and one of them definitely didn't settle well. We have had a long morning and I hate seeing him so uncomfortable.

Thank you. I was thinking in terms of taking it myself while pregnant. I've heard mixed reviews whether or not it will help. I figure the same thing goes with the diet though. I'm on it, but there's no guarnatee it'll help with number 2. She may still end up on Neocate but its worth a shot right? I'll check out Whole Foods here in town.

Sarah - My daughter does well with Synergy Probiotic by Designs for Health. We buy it from the naturopath. It's a powder, I put 1/4 tsp into her bottle 2x daily, but I'm sure you can put it into applesauce or anything.

Sarah: my kids take the Bluebonnet milk-free acidophilus powder, too. We get it at Whole Foods or another local health food store.0

On Thursday, June 18, 2009, QT - Carrie
<qtopic-23-aSxbbAkUULVMX@quicktopic.com> wrote:
>
< replied-to message removed by QT >

Sarah: I take Bluebonnet milk free acidophilus and it has never caused a problem with my extremely sensitive babe. I order his from klaire labs. It's called Therbiotic infant formula. It would only cost half as much as culturelle if your estimation is correct. It's a powder and I just mix it with a few mL's of water and give with a dropper. It's free of everything, and I mean everything. He actually likes it. I'll have to find the link again if you're interested.

Are there any other probiotics besides culturelle? I don't know a whole lot about probiotics other than I gave culturelle to my firstborn after she had a nasty bug when she was a baby-per the G.I.'s suggestion. Every since then if she's sick I'll give kids' culturelle to her and it seems to clear up her tummy sooner.

The regular adult dose has caessin in it (hubby discovered that), which 3 years ago it didn't. The new kids' version doesn't have caessin but I'd have to double dose it and it would be $60.00 or more a month. I'm on the MSPI diet now and have been since week 27. I'm so used to it now, its normal. Hopefully I'll be able to nurse. We'll find out in 4 weeks. :)

Jill, Diana, Dianne: Thanks for the info. My ped and OB are unfamiliar with my daughter's food allergies so trying to ask them questions is just like talking to a brick wall. As far as avoiding a c-section, it's pretty much unavoidable in my case. I have severe endometriosis and have had multiple abdominal surgeries and current adhesions/cysts that they don't want to have problems with, so I'm pretty sure that they're going to want to do the section again. My only other concern at this point would be that I've pretty much decided to have a hysterectomy at the time of giving birth so I'm wondering whether that would have any affect on breastfeeding. The only reason that I'm considering it is because of the extensive damage caused by endometriosis and I physically cannot bear to have to go through PMS like I did before getting pregnant (breastfeeding didn't stop it before) and I can't physically be down for a week AND chase 2 kids.

Erica: There is no real test for MSPI, unfortunately. Even if a GI does a scope, it will only prove that the intestinal tract is inflamed/irritated. It will not show which foods are the offending foods. I think we have all probably gone to doctor after doctor hoping that someone...anyone...can answer the big questions: WHAT foods are bothering my child? And, WHEN will he/she outgrow the intolerances? Unfortunately, there is no answer to either of these questions. And, most peds and GIs are not as informed about MSPI or MFPI (multiple foods) as we would like them to be. Many give suggestions/guidance based on their limited exposure to babies with slight intolerances rather than those like our kiddos who tend to be more sensitive. I think you will find that, given time, YOU will prove to be the expert on your child based on your own experiences and based on what you learn from other moms also "in the trenches."

Lori: Some moms have said that they felt it was important for them to eat a full diet during pregnancy in order for their pregnancy to thrive (and since limited diets do not necessarily mean no allergies/intolerances). Also, some moms have found it beneficial to start a MSPI diet a few weeks before their due date in order for their milk to be "clean" upon delivery -- and to reacclimate themselves back to the MSPI diet. Like Diana said, there may be great benefit in taking probiotics during pregnancy. Other moms have found great success with taking digestive enzymes (some have even found this very helpful while breastfeeding and others also give enzymes directly to their MSPI kiddos).

Kelly: Unfortunately, many babies have a "honeymoon period" on a formula. At first, it seems they are fine. But then whatever is bothering them in the formula builds up to the point that their bodies start reacting to it. Since Alimentum does contain milk ingredients, this may be the case for your little one.

Lori -
My pedi GI told me there was no science behind changing your diet in pregnancy, that breast milk isn't made until after delivery, so I could eat what I wanted to. Well, baby #2 was far more sensitive than MSPI #1! So I think science doesn't know much yet. I agree that probiotics are key. I ended up on antibiotics for both kids (a drip during delivery for Strep B for the 1st, and most of the last trimester for persistent UTI's with the 2nd) so I know I had no beneficial gut and birth canal flora to contribute. For my 2nd pregnancy the last tri was in the summer, and I just couldn't drink enough water or go pee often enough to stave off the UTIs. So I guess I have more cautionary tales than positive advice. Guess I recommend Culturelle and water!

To any of you moms who are facing giving up nursing, I grant you permission. I remember with my son I just never saw quitting as an option, we did everything we could come up with to keep it going because of all the health benefits, bonds, etc. We were both suffering, which was bad for the entire family, and finally formula solved the problems for us both. For some families nursing is the only option, and some can maintain both, but I had to remember to forgive myself and let go of nursing so we could get healthy. As Mom, I had to do what was best for my whole family.

Thanks girls. I'm still so confused as to what to do. I'm going to research the topic on the older posts. My baby is perfectly healthy, other than the blood in the stool, mucosy poops, and her extreme discomfort - which means constant crying. She seems to be in pain and it is breaking my heart!

Erica: I have some articles on continuing breastfeeding in the presence of blood given to me by breastfeeding expert Dr. Jack Newman. If you want to read them I can email them to you. They helped me to feel confident in continuing bf. j2thaxton@att.net.

Erica: I don't want to cause any trouble between you and your ped, but unfortunately they aren't very educated about all this. First, is the blood the only symptom she has, or is she also fussy, spitting up a lot, eczema? The reason I ask is bc it takes a long time for milk to get out of your and your baby's systems, so a week is not long enough to get rid of blood in most cases. If she is mosly happy and you want to keep breastfeeding rather than doing formula for a week, which it sounds like you do, there's no reason for you not to if you're willing to eliminate. Just make sure you're eliminating even hidden dairy and soy like whey and caesin, or you may not make progress. There are moms in this forum who have done this both ways: given formula for a time to help clear baby's symptoms and get their milk mostly clean more quickly, or just kept bf'ing bc their baby was mostly happy anyway. Sometimes the benefit of a formula trial is to let their system heal and in some situations, when healing is complete, mom is able to resume bf'ing with just the elimination of milk and soy. Some babies are sensitive to more than just milk and soy.

As far as it being something besides MSPI, it just takes a little while to figure out. If it would make you feel better, you could go ahead and ask your ped to give you a GI referral. Usually MSPI is the first thing suspected though if the baby is gaining well.

Erica it might help you to look at the post 14565 and some of the older posts. I am new to the site as well. I know how hard it is to start formula feeding, as I said before, I cried the first time! Not to mention how hard it is to bottle feed and pump! It's like a full time job! I wish you the best, and just know that you aren't alone!