There are a variety of signs that your infant may not be tolerating their baby formula, from fussing and crying to an upset stomach and a buildup of gas in their digestive system.
If your infant is experiencing an upset stomach or other gastrointestinal issues after receiving formula, you might need to switch formulas. Formula intolerance is a common issue, but fortunately, there are numerous infant formulas on the market that are designed specifically for sensitive stomachs.
However, choosing a specific product can be challenging.
Things to Consider Before Switching Formulas
Parents who are considering switching formulas should consider the following factors when evaluating products:
- Nutrition – When evaluating a new formula product, be wary of labels. Most infant formula products contain carbohydrates, protein, and fat. It’s important to ensure the formula products you purchase have the correct amount of each so that it doesn’t cause further gastrointestinal problems. It’s also important to avoid products with added sugars and artificial sweeteners, as well as synthetic colors and flavors.
- USDA certification – Ensure that any formula products you purchase are USDA certified. If a product has USDA certification, that means it has been thoroughly tested and is safe for consumption, and contains all the appropriate nutrients needed for your little one to develop.
- Allergies and digestive issues – Avoid formula products that contain allergens, if applicable. If your infant is allergic to soy, for example, you might want to avoid soy-based products. If your infant is lactose intolerant, they might struggle to digest dairy products, and you might want to choose a plant-based option.
While it can be overwhelming to decide on a new formula given the wide variety of options available on the market today, it is crucial to select a formula that will mitigate the risk of gastrointestinal issues. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of some of the best formula products for babies with an upset stomach.
Best Formula Products for Sensitive Stomach
If your infant is suffering from digestive issues after receiving formula, you might want to check out these baby formula products that are specifically crafted for babies with sensitive stomachs:
- Burt’s Bees Baby Organic Sensitive – Burt’s Bees’ infant formula is certified USDA organic and contains no artificial growth hormones, antibiotics, GMOs, or preservatives. It has important vitamins, including D, E, and K, and contains reduced lactose.
- Mama Bear Sensitivity – If your infant is lactose intolerant or sensitive to dairy products, Mama Bear Sensitivity could be the formula for you. It contains a prebiotic known as HMO, which is produced by approximately 80 percent of all breastfeeding people. Mama Bear Sensitivity formula contains no GMOs or artificial growth hormones.
- Happy Baby Organics Sensitive Infant Formula – Also certified USDA organic, Happy Baby’s sensitive baby formula contains reduced lactose, and anecdotal evidence from parents who use the product suggests that it improves bowel movements and decreases regurgitation.
- Enfamil ProSobee Soy-Based Infant Formula – If your infant will not tolerate dairy, Enfamil’s soy-based infant formula could be a good fit for your newborn. It is 100 percent plant-based and contains no dairy. It is also an excellent source of vitamins, choline, and DHA.
If you are changing formulas, you might want to do so gradually to avoid further upsetting your infant’s stomach or causing additional gas. Consider combining formulas over a period of three to five days, slowly increasing levels of the new formula while decreasing the levels of the original formula you were using.
Parents with Premature Infants Might Want to Avoid Cow’s Milk-Based Formula Products
Studies have shown that preterm infants are more likely to develop a serious gastrointestinal illness known as necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) after receiving cow’s milk-based baby formulas (including bovine milk formulas manufactured by Similac and Enfamil) than they are if they are only fed donor breast milk.
NEC occurs when bacteria build up in the intestinal tract, causing inflammation, tissue damage, and tissue death in the tract lining. If left untreated, the disease can eventually cause perforations in the intestinal tissue. Waste can escape the intestines through these perforations and enter the abdomen, infecting other organs. Other complications of NEC include sepsis, short bowel syndrome, and intestinal strictures.
There are currently numerous lawsuits against bovine milk-based formula manufacturers Abbott Laboratories (Similac) and Mead Johnson (Enfamil). Parents whose premature newborns received Similac or Enfamil and later developed NEC have alleged that the manufacturers failed to warn parents about the dangers of feeding cow’s milk-based formulas to premature newborns.
TruLaw and its team of seasoned lawyers fight on behalf of individuals harmed by drugs, devices, chemicals, and other products. To date, TruLaw and its partner law firms have successfully collected over $3 billion through verdicts and settlements in all 50 states.
If you believe your baby developed NEC due to cow’s milk-based formulas such as Enfamil and Similac, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit. Use our Instant Case Evaluator before the clock runs out on the statute of limitations to find out if you are eligible for a Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) lawsuit today.