Question:
Since starting on Neocate a week ago for her milk protein allergy, my 7 month old daughter seems like she might be constipated. She is having less frequent bowel movements (sometimes she goes a whole day without pooping!) and I am worried. Is this normal or could it be a sign of something else?
Answer:
We get a lot of questions from Neocate parents about constipation. Amino acid-based formulas like Neocate Infant do not technically cause constipation, but instead slow down the frequency of the bowel movements in babies.
Neocate is a low residue formula, meaning that it has very little waste to excrete which causes less frequent bowel movements - everything in the formula is getting absorbed! Also, some babies on Neocate may have already been prone to constipation because of the GI issues caused by allergies or other conditions and it may have been overlooked. Keep in mind all babies have different stool patterns, but typical stool frequency can be around 1 stool per day.
One telling sign of actual constipation (not just the effect of a low residue formula) is bowel movements that are hard or pellet-like. You might also notice that your baby is grunting, straining or seems like he or she is relieved right after having a bowel movement.
If this sounds like your little one, don’t worry! There are a few tricks that can help relieve their discomfort. Try moving their legs around to get things moving through their digestive system, or gently massage their tummy. Check with your doctor about giving your child some water or prune juice to hydrate them. In extreme cases, your doctor can also give you some alternative solutions which can stimulate a bowel movement as well.
Read Comments (2)
Do infants who consume neocate usually drink less per ounce? My little would drin 4 ounces on the other formulals, I have noticed with neocate he at times drinks less than 4 and or at times drink a little more. When should I be concern?
Hi Angie,
It’s not unusual to sometimes see infants consume a little bit less Neocate at first, while they get used to the slightly different taste and thinner texture compared to other formulas. On the other hand, some infants take in more Neocate, since it’s finally a formula that they tolerate well and can provide the nutrition they need for catch-up growth.
In general, infants may take a little more or a little less formula from one feeding to another - it’s not always the same amount at every feeding. You can check with the healthcare team for when to be concerned - usually they’ll keep an eye on where your little one is on his or her growth charts to make sure the formula they’re taking in is enough.
Hope that helps! If you have further questions, you can always reach us at 800.NEOCATE (Option 2) or by email - .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
-Rob