infant formula diaper rash - Infant Care (up to 18 months old) Message Board

alli414 · 10-08-2007, 07:48 PM

how long does it take for an infant to get used to formula

LauraLu · 10-08-2007, 08:29 PM

I remember my doctor telling me it usually takes a good week to see any kind of change in baby's overall behavior. i switched my daughter to soy formula because she was grunting horribly in her crib at night and saw a change in about two days. she slept better, less fussiness, easier bowel movements...just a happier baby. hope this helps, laura

baj406 · 10-08-2007, 08:45 PM

A lot of people start NOTICING changes within a couple days and see drastic change by about 2 weeks. With my son it was immediate. He was projectile vomiting, so as soon as we found a formula he could digest, that problem stopped. By about 1 1/2 weeks after the switch, he was down to vomiting about once every 2 -3 days and now, about 2 months later, he hasn't thrown up in OVER a week!

So, it does take time, though you should notice at least a small change pretty soon. Even if you don't, give it a couple weeks.

alli414 · 10-08-2007, 08:54 PM

I have been breastfeeding exclusively for 5 months and just started to wean (only a few bottles a day). She poops more frequently (every half hour) and has terrible diaper rash. Is this normal when starting formula after breastfeeding? Thanks for your advice!

baj406 · 10-08-2007, 09:34 PM

I breastfed DS for about 2 months. When I switched him at first he had about the same number of BMs but did start to get a rash. He actually ended up with a fungal rash that required a doctor's visit, a prescription antifungal, and 2 weeks to clear up. Now (he's been on the formula exclusively for about 6 weeks) he only goes about twice a day but he IMMEDIATELY starts to get a rash, so he can NOT sit in it at all. Formula is harsher than breastmilk so I don't think it's terribly uncommon for it to cause a rash. The most helpful thing for me is to let him air out as often as possible (usually immediately after a dirty diaper) and using cloth diapers. I'm not telling you to run out and start cloth diapering, I'm just saying that works for us. When I don't cloth diaper, I use Huggies Supreme. (I was using Seventh Generation but Babies R Us stopped carrying them.) I also use Desitin. If she's going THAT often then it must be tough to keep a clean diaper on her. I would suggest, if you're not all ready, putting on a REALLY thick layer of Desitin or Balmex to protect her hiney. Also, if the formula is causing a rash, talk to the doctor about trying a different one. Maybe one of the gentle formulas would be easier on her? Good luck, hopefully she'll get used to it soon.