New here.. 12 mon old who can't get off of enfamil AR

[Laura56]

My daughter just turned 1 on 10/29. She was diagnosed with reflux at 2 weeks old and started on Zantac at 2 weeks. I started her on Enfamil AR at 2 months after the pedi (not the one I normally went to) said she had a soy and protein allergy and put her on nurtamigen which she vomited even worse on. I just put her on the AR myself. She did wonderfully! She still spit up but no where near what she used to do and she didn't scream with it! She saw the GI dr at 7 weeks and graduated at 5 months when they took her off of Zantac. She spit up regularly.. probably every feeding.. until 8 months and then several times a week until 9 months. I tried to switch her to regular Enfamil at a little over 10 months and she projectile vomited all 4 oz! So back to AR. When she turned 1 I started giving her milk and almond milk and she was refluxing it but not vomiting. She was gagging on it but thankfully not coming out! I can hear her refluxing and can feel it in her chest. She won't really drink much besides AR cause it probably hurts. So again she is back on AR. I made an appt with her GI dr again but they can't see her until Dec 3rd and that was cause there was a cancellation.. they are booking into Jan. Thankfully this has never affected her weight.. she was 22 lbs 12 oz at her 12 month appt. But it is a pain in the butt to keep buying AR when she should be off of it! I posted a topic in Older Children as well with lots of questions about how she will do and what to do. But wanted to introduce myself as well. This is just so frustrating cause I was told she would mostly outgrow this by 9 months and completely outgrow it by 12 months and that is not the case. Her pedi (the one I normally go to) I love! He has always immediately treated what I see and never questioned me and immediately sent her to specialists... he even ordered her an apnea monitor until 6 months old cause of the reflux since she was vomiting in her sleep! He is a Godsend! But he is talking about starting the Zantac again with her until going to the GI dr. I HATE the idea of giving her meds every day! She hated taking Zantac when she was an infant.. how is it gonna be now?!? She is fine as long as she doesn't drink any thin liquids and only takes the AR. So that is us! Still have no idea what I am going to do.. guess just wait until the GI dr and keep her on AR until then!

[Litterbox]

I know the formula is expensive, but there are several kiddos on the board that are still drinking some kind of formula for whatever reason. I wouldn't stress too much about it. My DS is almost 2 years old and still is on Prosobee. It's even approved through WIC under special circumstances through age 3, I think. Wait until you see the GI and see what they have to say. There are some Next Step formulas out there too that are specifically formulated for toddlers. I can understand the frustration of not wanting to go back to meds. They are sometimes expensive, and difficult to give, but if it means less problems it might be worth it. Glad the GI is going to see you in December though. Welcome to IRD too!!!

[Laura56]

Thank you for the welcome. I would rather keep her on the formula than put her on meds. I tried the Next Step but it's too thin for her and I would have to thicken it anyway so I would rather just stay on AR. Sometimes I wish I could get approved for WIC but I make too much money. I just find good sales on it. For her even the ready to feed AR is too thin for her and makes her gag slightly.

[Emma`s mommy]

Our pead actually suggested Emma staying on Alimentum till 18 m and than we will go from there ( she is 17m now)-when the kiddoes need it, they need it for a reason..listen to your instincts....we are slowly introducing Goats milk as Emma reacts to dairy...

..also some kids DO outgrow reflux by 12 m BUT MANY DO NOT..

GOOD LUCK!!!
Eva.

[sixdogssixcats]

My daughter was on Alimentum until she was 2. While children typically transition to cow milk (or a "milk" product) around 12 months, there is no harm in continuing to provide formula. Especially if the child is consuming a variety of table foods. The only concern is if infant formula becomes the sole source of nutrition for an older child as an older child's body needs different nutrients than an infant. Formula use for older children should be managed by a doctor so it's nutritionally appropriate, but at 12 months, this is not something you need to worry about.

[andrea]

While I agree that giving meds is not always pleasant, if she needs it, she needs it if you know what I mean. With that said, if shes doing totally fine on the Enfamil AR, then no reason to rock the boat! The only other suggestion I have, if you want to move to a toddler formula, is that you can always just add rice cereal to it yourself (Thats basically what the AR formulas are - just pre-thickened for you). You'll want to ask your ped about how much to put in it (or some of the other moms here who have gone that route might be helpful). It might work out cheaper than buying the AR formula? I dont know - we never used it.

Also just wanted to echo what the other moms said about it not being a big deal that she is still on an infant formula. My son was on infant formula until he was almost 2 - then we finally got him switched to pediasure, which he is still on now. You definitely dont need to "worry" that shes on an infant formula for at least 6 months

Anyway, good luck and welcome here!