Expert: ruth kraft - 5/25/2009

Question
Hi,
My baby is 3 weeks old and is battling with painful gas.  I've been supplementing formula and breastmilk.  The formula we give her is the non-allergenic type that's broken down to its elemental proteins.  Baby still has painful gas, so that leaves my breastmilk.  What could I be doing or not doing to help my baby?  
I avoid the broccoli, cabbage, chocolate, and caffeine.  The rep. at the pediatrician's office said to also stay away from all dairy (which i have been)--plus anything made w/onions and garlic.   Are there other foods to avoid?  
Thanks in advance for your advice!

Answer
even though the formula you are using is non-allergenic, its still formula. Any formula is harder for babies to digest especially at 3 weeks old. it might be easier for some babies to digest than another type of formula, but it is still formula. You mentioneed most of the common allergins. Chances are, there is something in the formula that she isnt being able to digest well. formula is half waste, so the stuff for shelf life isnt easy to digest easy either. It might not me that she is alergic to something but rather struggling to digest the formula. breastmilk is made perfect for newborn infants, so chances are , that is isnt the breastmilk, but the formula. No other animal has these issues with feeding their young. All other mammals nurse their young without ever having to suppliment with a man made formula. Your best bet would be to wean off the formula and then begin nursing full time. My guess is, in the next 4-6 weeks of getting your milk supply to where it should be, your problem will likely dissapear. and by the time she is 12 weeks, be gone completely. She also might be fussy if she has reflux, and it just seems to be coming from gas...

good luck!