Neocate vs aptamil pepti

[Strawbs]

Morning all,

Mini Strawbs number 2 has just been diagnosed with reflux and a dairy allergy. I've been through this with his older brother who had very severe reflux til 16m and was on Neocate til he was 2. I had a telephone consult with a doctor last night (not our normal doc as she had left for the bank holiday weekend already) who prescribed him aptamil pepti rather than Neocate - does anyone have any experience with this? I have heard it only works for some babies but I am thinking it might be good to give it a go as apparently it is more palatable than Neocate as has 40% lactose in it. I have a tin of Neocate which I started last night with my son until we could get to the chemist today so am wary of chopping and changing but true to form like his older brother he hates it and only takes 2 oz at a time which will lead to less sleep for us all (took his older brother 2 years to sleep through the night!). Thanks! X

[hellosailor]

Only got experience of neonate not aptamil pepti but just wanted to say so sorry you're going through this again with your second Strawbs, Our second has reflux too like our first did and you do kind of feel 'c'mon baby Gods, gimme a break!!' Keep us updated with your progress

xx

[Strawbs]

Thanks HS, I must admit when we saw the signs and got the diagnosis I did wonder what I'd done in a past life to get two on the trot with reflux and dairy allergy! I foolishly assumed I was 'owed a good one' after the last one!! X

[Strawbs]

Any thoughts on the nanny goats milk formula? The chemist my prescription was sent to don't stock the pepti so I have to wait until next week (not ideal) and baby Strawbs number 2 won't take more than 2 oz of Neocate so on the advice of his cranial osteopath I bought some goats formula. He took 4oz so a good start. Does anyone know if that is avail on prescription? Or have any feedback on it? Thanks! X

[Bella83]

We use Aptamil Pepti, originally as a more palatable alternative to neacate. Works well for us to treat CMPI. We use Day Lewis on Forest Hill Road, they order it in within 24 hours and are happy to pre order. I have some if you are stuck...

Annabel

[SebsC]

Hi there. My now 3 year old also suffered from reflux when he was younger. It was awful to see as he was in agony whenever he fed. The GP prescribed Gaviscon but all that did was make him constipated and in even more discomfort. The next step was to take this formula which was so thick he could barely drink it, also, I was reluctant to give him something so synthetic. We tried goats milk on someone's recommendation and never looked back. He took to it straight away and was like a different baby. I suddenly realised I had a happy boy, not a constantly grumpy one. I've kept him on goats milk ever since and both him and myself now drink it. He is bright, energetic and is thriving so I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it.

[Strawbs]

Sebsc - were you able to get it on prescription? It is uber pricey! Do you know where besides health matters I can get it from? I don't think they are open and don't have enough to last the night I don't think.

Bella - if I get really stuck I may take you up on that, that's very mind. Thank you

X

[midivydale]

I have seen it some waitrose shops strawbs. X

[Strawbs]

We went to beckenham waitress but no success. I have just enough to get me through tonight and I shall pick up the pepti tomorrow and try that for a couple of days. My gut is telling me we will end up on Neocate and just have months of him not drinking much of it. X

[Norfolkvillas]

Not sure if this helps, but I requested that my daughter, who initially responded OK to Nutramigen after being diagnosed with CMPI, get switched to Nutramigen AA - the even-more-broken-down-proteins (not the scientific term!) version of Nutramigen - and she was happy on that til circa 18m (when we switched to soya and coconut milk combo). My understanding is that it's lesser-known Neocate equivalent, so might be worth a try in case your LO prefers the taste. I found Nutramigen AA less offensive-smelling than the standard Nutramigen (which was properly hideous). Good luck!

[Strawbs]

Thanks for that suggestion! We are back to the do s on wed so I'll ask then. I am not sure goats milk is the answer for us, the constant screaming has stopped (except for a half hour period every night at about 8) but he is now very constipated and squeals when trying to go. I am going to try the pepti today when the chemist opens and this discuss my options tomorrow with our usual doc. I've put the AA on the list to chat to the doc about.

As an aside from the formula he is seriously congested and has been for over a week now (same time as formula introduced), I can't help but it is connected, my other son just had a severe Gastro reaction, is it possible to make him congested by having exposure to the proteins in either cows or goats or am I overthinking it?

Thanks!

X

[Elle]

Hi

My youngest is allergic to dairy (in all forms including goat etc) its the protein that he cant break down and makes him over produce mucus so very congested also. Mucous settles on chest so sleeping was difficult unless raised.

Nutramigen AA was the only formula he accepted and as someone has said already, the protein is broken down more significantly. It will take a few days for the content of the pepti to leave his system so you will need to wait for this to judge how he's doing.

My youngest is also allergic to gluten which makes him squeal all night too. when settled with diary free formula, you might want to explore this but I really recommend asking your doctor for a referral to the paediatric allergy clinic at St Thomas's. They are brilliant and will help you through this with more knowledge and support than my doctor was able to give.

Best of luck.

[patt1980]

Sorry you've got another CMPI baby Strawbs, I went through this with my second one six months ago and had also thought/hoped i was due an easy baby this time:-) Saying that as you know the signs etc and what to push for at the Dr I have found it a lot easier to get the situation sorted this time. Although my second is diff in that he is much more sensitive to soya protein as well as CMP then my first was so having to really label check as we start weaning.

We didn't find aptamil pepti worked for my daughter so this time I went straight to Neocate and luckily my son doesn't hate it. Could be worth a try to put a few drops of vanilla essence in it to make it more palatable at first as this helped us.

I have found the CMPA Support Groups on facebook a real font of knowledge this time round so may be worth joining https://www.facebook.com/groups/Allergy.diet/

Hope you get it sorted soon.

[Belle]

Just to echo that nutramigen AA really helped us. My son still vomited regularly but that plus the Losec really addressed the pain which was our main concern.

[Strawbs]

Thanks for your replies. We are trying the pepti as of last night, no immediate reaction but we will see in a few days. Doc appt today but I think they will say too soon after starting pepti to tell so will need to go back. I will discuss all the milk options you have all suggested and see if I can get a prescription for a couple and try him and get some vanilla essence too!

I am currently sitting up with him sleeping on me as his congestion is so bad it sounds like he is choking if he lies flat, for that reason I am glad we have this appt today.

I will also ask for a referral to the allergies unit. I have private medical so hopefully the wait won't be too long. X

[Strawbs]

Well it seems the pepti is a no go, every minute Benjamin's eyes are open he is crying so I have reopened the tin of Neocate and have put some vanilla essence in and he drank some! Does anyone have a spare tin to get me through til I can get a prescription on Monday please? Thanks!! X