Sunday, November 16, 2008

All backed up...

So, a few weeks ago Ella decided she was old enough to begin putting her "free will" to practice, and began opting for the bottle rather than nursing. I was really surprised, since from day one she has been an excellant breast-feeder! She has been getting bottles with breast milk whenever I am away at work, and I guess she just decided to start taking the easy way out all the time, instead of working for it. I thought I would be more O.K. with transitioning her to formula when the time came... but it's been tougher than I expected. I've spent the last 5 weeks or so trying to coax her back to nursing, but it seems to be a losing battle. Once, after several minutes of "gently" forcing her face into my boob while she bounced and kicked on my lap, arched back to try and see the TV, and reached for imaginary things in the sky, she finally got fed up with my pathetic desperation. She pulled her head back, slapped my boob with her hand, looked me straight in the eye and screamed.

I got the hint.

My pumping supply quickly diminished despite trying to keep it up... so we "succumbed" to formula. Not the end of the world by any means... but there was something about providing my baby with the "perfect food" that felt really good, and it's just kind of disappointing when it ends. To make things worse, she was really getting constipated from the formula. I was using Enfamil, then Similac... then the Costco brand because the Pediatrician reassured me it was identical to the popular brands and yet 70% cheaper!! With all... the poor kid could be found grunting and straining on the floor, so terribly I was worried my child would become the first 6 month old to have hemorrhoids! I pumped her full of prunes... but they didn't help much. After some research online, I decided to try some apple juice, and the formula pictured above. Nestle Good Start is sold alongside the other popular brands, but apparently they break down the proteins even more to aid in digestion. You can see a difference just by mixing it. Virtually NO air bubbles at all and a creamier consistency. Miss Ella pooped that night (effortlessly I might add)... and the next day.. and the next!! AND she hardly spits up anymore at all. I guess I should have known... Nestle makes great chocolate, why wouldn't that quality carry over into their infant formulas?!

I had to share... in case any of my readers have struggled with those dreaded gassy side effects of formula. Try this stuff... it's wonderful! The one downside: quite a bit more expensive than Costco's Kirkland formula... and RIDICULOUSLY more costly than breast milk. But the important thing is my baby is hemorrhoid free, Eric's back to having to change those poopy diapers, and mommy's nipples are no longer biter bisquits!! :)

7 comments:

Bart Saunders said...

You are so stinkin' funny! No one can make us laugh at poop and nipples like you! So what's gotta go to budget for good ole Nestle? I would hate to have had to stop breast-feeding too... heck it was the only time my boobs had any size to speak of! Between cloth diapers and mom's milk we saved tons.

She is so darn entertaining isn't she?! I hope all your kiddos are so fun to hear about... we'll be checking in often to laugh though the teen years too! You're the BEST Meg!!

Unknown said...

So happy to hear she's not having pooping issues anymore. I bet she's much happier too.

Anonymous said...

Good job getting to 6 months! I know it is going to be hard when it happens to me too. It's amazing that such little people have such control over us.

andrew,betsy,& noura said...

way to go for getting 6 mos worth! I only lasted 5 wks! Your pooping and boobie stories are hilarious! Noura didnt really like Goodstart, but I'm pretty sure they have a generic version, look for it. We use Meijer brand, which has the same as Enfamil, I spent about an hour reading the backs of all the cans, because formulas EXPENSIVE!!

Angie said...

M-
I used Good Start with all my kids after they weaned from breastfeeding. It is the best. Not pushed by drs as much but mommy loved it. Goodluck.
Angie P.

Lisa said...

awww...poor little pumpkin!! Glad you got the new formula figured out quick. :)

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