While all babies experience some degree of gas due to their immature digestive system, sometimes a baby’s stomach upsets might be more severe. If you feed your baby formula, stay vigilant to notice signs that the formula is not agreeing with your baby’s digestive system. Once you notice symptoms of possible problems, your child’s pediatrician can help you determine whether you need to change the type of formula you feed your baby.
Check your baby’s stools to note consistency. Although a baby’s stools are generally loose, they may become looser than usual and you might find blood if your child has a milk allergy, states the KidsHealth website 1.
Note signs of an upset stomach in your baby. Your little one may gag, vomit and refuse to drink the formula if she is experiencing unpleasant physical symptoms.
Watch for excessive crying in your baby. Although all babies cry, if your baby’s formula is disagreeing with his stomach, he may become fussier than normal, according to the University of Rochester Medical Center 2.
Ask your child’s physician for guidance and recommendations regarding your baby’s symptoms and the type of formula you are feeding her. The physician may recommend a soy-based formula or a hypoallergenic formula that your baby may tolerate better, states the American Academy of Pediatrics HealthyChildren.org website 3.
Tips
Changing from milk-based formula to soy-based formula may not be an effective solution for a child with milk allergies, warns the MedlinePlus website. Your child may suffer similar symptoms with soy-based formula.
Hypoallergenic formulas are typically more expensive than milk-based and soy-based formulas.
Warnings
Check your formula-mixing methods to be sure you are mixing correctly. If you under-dilute powder or liquid concentrate formulas, your baby may experience diarrhea, vomiting, intestinal inflammation and stress on his digestive system, while over-dilution may lead to water intoxication in an infant, which can cause serious health issues states the Leeds, Grenville & Lenark District Health Unit. Some allergy symptoms begin almost immediately after an infant drinks formula and others take up to 10 days to occur, according to the KidsHealth website. Slow onset of symptoms is more common.