I am weaning Sam off Alimentium now and onto GoodStart. He has been on Alimentium since his Nissen and was put on it because it was easy to digest not because of allergy issues. He tolerates feeds much better now so we are switching. The problem is he is not pooping much now--3 days now!

He has always had constipation issues, but I always thought it was because his feeds were so think when he was bottle fed. Now he is g-tube fed only.

I remember reading something about the DHA and ARA constipating kids but I can't remember where---any coments????

The Alimentum we always use has DHA/ARA in it, and Alimentum is the only that keeps Catherine from being constipated. I think it's because it's predigested that it's easier to pass out the "other" end. Her poops have stiffened up a little since she's been on half Alimentum and half Enfamil Gentlease (sort of like Good Start).

Since we switched to G tube feedings, Daniel has become severely constipated. And he's getting Nutrem Junior with FIBER!!! (It's for toddlers who don't eat anything else.) I left a message for the GI Friday morning, and he said lots of kids get constipated on these formulas. That makes no sense to me (FIBER, for goodness sakes) but I didn't get to question him further since my DH took the call. Anyway, D has started Enulose again, and we're giving him a lot (1T per day), and he's still struggling to go. :cry:

Is Sam too young for juice? Our therapist recommended Gerber's apple-prune juice. We were up to three ounces a day, but it didn't help Daniel a bit....

I don't think the constipation has anything to do with the ARA and DHA because all that is is veggie oils, and they help with pooping. DHA/ARA is actually omega 6 and 3 fatty acids that they found in breast milk. They are also found in different veggie oils. I use Good Start soy and if you read the label (decipher is more like it) you'll see that thats REALLY all it is. I found this out when looking for a new constipation "cure" on the internet. I had to laugh out loud when I found out. "WOW! Now formula has about 23 cents worth of ingredients in it instead of the usual 22 cents." javascript:emoticon(':roll:') Sorry but this one really got my goat. Not that the additives aren't good. I'm sure babies will benefit from them, but GEEZE lets call it what it is, and not make such a huge mark up in price when it's not necessary. What a rip off.

I remember reading something about the DHA and ARA constipating kids but I can't remember where---any coments????

You can buy Good Start without DHA/ARA. It is in the purple can. You could try it to see if it is constipating for Sam. As far as I know, they are the same formulation, but one has the added fatty acids. They both have partially hydrolyzed proteins as well.

I know that our Sam is on the Good Start 2 with DHA/ARA. He has really smelly bm's, but had them with the one w/out fatty acids as well. When we switched to Enfamil he didn't have smelly bm's. I don't know what is going on there.

I am going to do a little more research on the constipating effects of DHA/ARA and see what I can find out. I'll let you know what I find out.

We were having that problem with the DHA & ARA as well. Cady's on Good Start, too. Since taking her off the DHA & ARA stuff, she's pooping three time a day. BTW: If you buy the purple can, without the DHA & ARA, it's cheeper, by about 3 bucks a can (powdered). I would give it a try and see if it helps.

I put an oz. of purne juice in his bag with the formula yesterday and he had a blow out! it was not hard. I think he just needs some stimulation to go. I talked to my ped yesterday and she thinks Similac is less constipating. Every one has their preferences. But I do not think it is really considered constipation if the stool is soft. Sam just needs a little encouragement to poop I guess. A little prune juce every other day might be what he needs. At least it is in his tube and he does not have to taste it!

We were having that problem with the DHA & ARA as well. Cady's on Good Start, too. Since taking her off the DHA & ARA stuff, she's pooping three time a day. BTW: If you buy the purple can, without the DHA & ARA, it's cheeper, by about 3 bucks a can (powdered). I would give it a try and see if it helps.

When Emma was on Goodstart with DHA/ARA she was having dry, almost clay-like poops....when we switched her to plain old Goodstart the poops became more mushy. However, she still was getting constipated on it from time to time. We've recently switched to Alimentum and she's pooping at least 2 times a day, sometimes more.

Her Alimentum has DHA/ARA in it, though..... I bet if she was on plain Alimentum she'd be pooping up a storm! :lol: