More Calories for an Infant - Duocal/Flavor Packets

A

ambrozhe

New member
My ds was born in the 95% and now at 3 months is at the 13%. He obviously needs added calories to the breastmilk that he is receiving. The cf center that we have been going to has really pushed to fortify my breastmilk with formula. I have tried almost every formula including: enfamil lipil advance, enfamil gentlease, enfamil pregestimil, similac advance, similac sensitive, similac alimentum, nestle good start sensitive, and nestle good start regular. I am going crazy. My ds will NOT take my breastmilk after it has been fortified with ANY formula. I am only giving him 1/2 scoop per 4 -5 ounces of breastmilk. (However he will take breastmilk that has been fortified with Human Milk Fortifier - however, they do NOT want me to use the HMF) The cf center is now telling me that since he is really dropping off the percentile scale (not losing weight but not gaining weight) that I need to stop giving him breastmilk and start giving him formula. BUT HE WON'T TAKE THE FORMULA SO DO THEY WANT HIM TO STARVE?
I don't see a problem giving him breastmilk and I know that he needs additional calories so I have found a product called Duocal which does not alter taste. I realize that it is not nutritionally complete so I will only be able to use it with the breastmilk (which is the only way that I intend on using it). I read that it is not intended for children under the age of one so I called the company talked to their nutriticanist and asked if it would be okay to use in the manner that I intended and they said yes.
SO when I called the cf center to talk with them about it the nurse again said that they did not want me to use the product and instead switch to formula.
I wanted to ask everyone on here: Have you used this product for your children under the age of one?
The company also has a product of flavor packets that have 15 calories per packet. I was also looking at that to possibly add flavor to formula if needed.
 
A

ambrozhe

New member
My ds was born in the 95% and now at 3 months is at the 13%. He obviously needs added calories to the breastmilk that he is receiving. The cf center that we have been going to has really pushed to fortify my breastmilk with formula. I have tried almost every formula including: enfamil lipil advance, enfamil gentlease, enfamil pregestimil, similac advance, similac sensitive, similac alimentum, nestle good start sensitive, and nestle good start regular. I am going crazy. My ds will NOT take my breastmilk after it has been fortified with ANY formula. I am only giving him 1/2 scoop per 4 -5 ounces of breastmilk. (However he will take breastmilk that has been fortified with Human Milk Fortifier - however, they do NOT want me to use the HMF) The cf center is now telling me that since he is really dropping off the percentile scale (not losing weight but not gaining weight) that I need to stop giving him breastmilk and start giving him formula. BUT HE WON'T TAKE THE FORMULA SO DO THEY WANT HIM TO STARVE?
I don't see a problem giving him breastmilk and I know that he needs additional calories so I have found a product called Duocal which does not alter taste. I realize that it is not nutritionally complete so I will only be able to use it with the breastmilk (which is the only way that I intend on using it). I read that it is not intended for children under the age of one so I called the company talked to their nutriticanist and asked if it would be okay to use in the manner that I intended and they said yes.
SO when I called the cf center to talk with them about it the nurse again said that they did not want me to use the product and instead switch to formula.
I wanted to ask everyone on here: Have you used this product for your children under the age of one?
The company also has a product of flavor packets that have 15 calories per packet. I was also looking at that to possibly add flavor to formula if needed.
 
A

ambrozhe

New member
My ds was born in the 95% and now at 3 months is at the 13%. He obviously needs added calories to the breastmilk that he is receiving. The cf center that we have been going to has really pushed to fortify my breastmilk with formula. I have tried almost every formula including: enfamil lipil advance, enfamil gentlease, enfamil pregestimil, similac advance, similac sensitive, similac alimentum, nestle good start sensitive, and nestle good start regular. I am going crazy. My ds will NOT take my breastmilk after it has been fortified with ANY formula. I am only giving him 1/2 scoop per 4 -5 ounces of breastmilk. (However he will take breastmilk that has been fortified with Human Milk Fortifier - however, they do NOT want me to use the HMF) The cf center is now telling me that since he is really dropping off the percentile scale (not losing weight but not gaining weight) that I need to stop giving him breastmilk and start giving him formula. BUT HE WON'T TAKE THE FORMULA SO DO THEY WANT HIM TO STARVE?
<br />I don't see a problem giving him breastmilk and I know that he needs additional calories so I have found a product called Duocal which does not alter taste. I realize that it is not nutritionally complete so I will only be able to use it with the breastmilk (which is the only way that I intend on using it). I read that it is not intended for children under the age of one so I called the company talked to their nutriticanist and asked if it would be okay to use in the manner that I intended and they said yes.
<br />SO when I called the cf center to talk with them about it the nurse again said that they did not want me to use the product and instead switch to formula.
<br />I wanted to ask everyone on here: Have you used this product for your children under the age of one?
<br />The company also has a product of flavor packets that have 15 calories per packet. I was also looking at that to possibly add flavor to formula if needed.
 
H

hmw

New member
Personally, it upsets me that they are pushing you so hard to wean entirely. What does the milk fortifier add, nutritionally speaking, to the milk when it comes to fat, calories, etc? They may be against it due to simply not being familiar enough with it vs. the 'easy' solution of formula feeding. But this is something he is willing to take and if it works and you are able to explain to them exactly what it supplies when it comes to fat, etc they may be more willing to cooperate. And results on the scale would be the most compelling argument of all, of course!

I would also ask about introducing at least one serving a day of rice cereal, made with lots of formula (he may be more willing to take it in cereal vs. the bottle.) Three months is a bit young but he may do fine with it.

I hope you can find a solution that will get him gaining soon!

eta> I've done some googling on the milk fortifier- it looks like on it's own, it is unfortunately only designed to add 2-4cal per ounce to feedings. This is likely why your nutritionist does not support using it.
 
H

hmw

New member
Personally, it upsets me that they are pushing you so hard to wean entirely. What does the milk fortifier add, nutritionally speaking, to the milk when it comes to fat, calories, etc? They may be against it due to simply not being familiar enough with it vs. the 'easy' solution of formula feeding. But this is something he is willing to take and if it works and you are able to explain to them exactly what it supplies when it comes to fat, etc they may be more willing to cooperate. And results on the scale would be the most compelling argument of all, of course!

I would also ask about introducing at least one serving a day of rice cereal, made with lots of formula (he may be more willing to take it in cereal vs. the bottle.) Three months is a bit young but he may do fine with it.

I hope you can find a solution that will get him gaining soon!

eta> I've done some googling on the milk fortifier- it looks like on it's own, it is unfortunately only designed to add 2-4cal per ounce to feedings. This is likely why your nutritionist does not support using it.
 
H

hmw

New member
Personally, it upsets me that they are pushing you so hard to wean entirely. What does the milk fortifier add, nutritionally speaking, to the milk when it comes to fat, calories, etc? They may be against it due to simply not being familiar enough with it vs. the 'easy' solution of formula feeding. But this is something he is willing to take and if it works and you are able to explain to them exactly what it supplies when it comes to fat, etc they may be more willing to cooperate. And results on the scale would be the most compelling argument of all, of course!
<br />
<br />I would also ask about introducing at least one serving a day of rice cereal, made with lots of formula (he may be more willing to take it in cereal vs. the bottle.) Three months is a bit young but he may do fine with it.
<br />
<br />I hope you can find a solution that will get him gaining soon!
<br />
<br />eta> I've done some googling on the milk fortifier- it looks like on it's own, it is unfortunately only designed to add 2-4cal per ounce to feedings. This is likely why your nutritionist does not support using it.
 
R

Ratatosk

Administrator
Staff member
I had similar issues with the clinic, the hospital social worker and a couple nurses regarding DS' formula issues. My situation is a little different in that I never intended to BF and I chose a name brand formula for DS before he was born. In fact at the local hospital, we fed him a couple bottles and he did fine.

Fast forward -- we found out he had CF due to Meconium illeus, so after his surgery we started him out gradually on formula -- pregistimil and he hated it. He was only a week or two old, but he tried to escape, would clamp his mouth shut and refuse to feed, he'd scream if the bottle came toward him. The dietician and nurses insisted he had a poor suck reflex, that they needed to call in a therapist, but I KNEW he would take regular formula. Finally I walked over to the fridge and poured myself a shot of his formula. I tasted like vomit and the way road kill smells. Then made DH taste it too. We demanded that DS be switched to regular formula and they argued.

Then his doctor showed up, shrugged like they were all nuts and said "feed him what he'll eat". End of story. Well sort of. The local cf clinic tried to convince us as well it was in his best interest to switch, but we held our ground. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
 
R

Ratatosk

Administrator
Staff member
I had similar issues with the clinic, the hospital social worker and a couple nurses regarding DS' formula issues. My situation is a little different in that I never intended to BF and I chose a name brand formula for DS before he was born. In fact at the local hospital, we fed him a couple bottles and he did fine.

Fast forward -- we found out he had CF due to Meconium illeus, so after his surgery we started him out gradually on formula -- pregistimil and he hated it. He was only a week or two old, but he tried to escape, would clamp his mouth shut and refuse to feed, he'd scream if the bottle came toward him. The dietician and nurses insisted he had a poor suck reflex, that they needed to call in a therapist, but I KNEW he would take regular formula. Finally I walked over to the fridge and poured myself a shot of his formula. I tasted like vomit and the way road kill smells. Then made DH taste it too. We demanded that DS be switched to regular formula and they argued.

Then his doctor showed up, shrugged like they were all nuts and said "feed him what he'll eat". End of story. Well sort of. The local cf clinic tried to convince us as well it was in his best interest to switch, but we held our ground. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
 
R

Ratatosk

Administrator
Staff member
I had similar issues with the clinic, the hospital social worker and a couple nurses regarding DS' formula issues. My situation is a little different in that I never intended to BF and I chose a name brand formula for DS before he was born. In fact at the local hospital, we fed him a couple bottles and he did fine.
<br />
<br />Fast forward -- we found out he had CF due to Meconium illeus, so after his surgery we started him out gradually on formula -- pregistimil and he hated it. He was only a week or two old, but he tried to escape, would clamp his mouth shut and refuse to feed, he'd scream if the bottle came toward him. The dietician and nurses insisted he had a poor suck reflex, that they needed to call in a therapist, but I KNEW he would take regular formula. Finally I walked over to the fridge and poured myself a shot of his formula. I tasted like vomit and the way road kill smells. Then made DH taste it too. We demanded that DS be switched to regular formula and they argued.
<br />
<br />Then his doctor showed up, shrugged like they were all nuts and said "feed him what he'll eat". End of story. Well sort of. The local cf clinic tried to convince us as well it was in his best interest to switch, but we held our ground. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
 
M

mariahsmommy

New member
I can't believe they are suggesting you stop breastmilk! It is so much better for babies than formula. You may just have to find another nutritionist that is willing to work with you. I am going to speak with one today about my daughter so if I like her, I will post her email on her and maybe she can help you. She believes in whole foods and breastmilk of course. You know what is best for you child.
How are his lungs? I know they say that they need to be 50th percentile for optimal lung function, but if he is fine then I wouldn't worry so much about the percentile. Those charts are based off of only healthy kids and are like 50 years old. Not every kid is the same. As long as he seems healthy and seems happy then I wouldn't worry.
I quit pumping when Mariah was 10 weeks old so she quit getting BM and we switched to formula. Ever since then, she stopped drinking her bottles and we had to supplement through her gtube.
I wish I would've listened to my instincts and kept pumping rather than switching to formula like they wanted. Good luck to you.
 
M

mariahsmommy

New member
I can't believe they are suggesting you stop breastmilk! It is so much better for babies than formula. You may just have to find another nutritionist that is willing to work with you. I am going to speak with one today about my daughter so if I like her, I will post her email on her and maybe she can help you. She believes in whole foods and breastmilk of course. You know what is best for you child.
How are his lungs? I know they say that they need to be 50th percentile for optimal lung function, but if he is fine then I wouldn't worry so much about the percentile. Those charts are based off of only healthy kids and are like 50 years old. Not every kid is the same. As long as he seems healthy and seems happy then I wouldn't worry.
I quit pumping when Mariah was 10 weeks old so she quit getting BM and we switched to formula. Ever since then, she stopped drinking her bottles and we had to supplement through her gtube.
I wish I would've listened to my instincts and kept pumping rather than switching to formula like they wanted. Good luck to you.
 
M

mariahsmommy

New member
I can't believe they are suggesting you stop breastmilk! It is so much better for babies than formula. You may just have to find another nutritionist that is willing to work with you. I am going to speak with one today about my daughter so if I like her, I will post her email on her and maybe she can help you. She believes in whole foods and breastmilk of course. You know what is best for you child.
<br />How are his lungs? I know they say that they need to be 50th percentile for optimal lung function, but if he is fine then I wouldn't worry so much about the percentile. Those charts are based off of only healthy kids and are like 50 years old. Not every kid is the same. As long as he seems healthy and seems happy then I wouldn't worry.
<br />I quit pumping when Mariah was 10 weeks old so she quit getting BM and we switched to formula. Ever since then, she stopped drinking her bottles and we had to supplement through her gtube.
<br />I wish I would've listened to my instincts and kept pumping rather than switching to formula like they wanted. Good luck to you.
 
K

kitomd21

New member
I pumped/fortified for a year! Heck. Good times. At any rate, we fortified each ounce to 27kcal (I believe) with Similac Advance. Her weight didn't reach above 50% weight to length until we switched clinics. Her previous doctor/dietician were greatly underdosing her enzymes for whatever reason. Upon switching, we found out she was underdosed by 3 full capsules. Funny how her weight improved afterward (she says sarcastically!).

We currently add Duocal to her food. At 25kcal per scoop, it's been a great calorie booster. Be careful not to give too much (verify with your dietician) as too much can cause diarrhea....
 
K

kitomd21

New member
I pumped/fortified for a year! Heck. Good times. At any rate, we fortified each ounce to 27kcal (I believe) with Similac Advance. Her weight didn't reach above 50% weight to length until we switched clinics. Her previous doctor/dietician were greatly underdosing her enzymes for whatever reason. Upon switching, we found out she was underdosed by 3 full capsules. Funny how her weight improved afterward (she says sarcastically!).

We currently add Duocal to her food. At 25kcal per scoop, it's been a great calorie booster. Be careful not to give too much (verify with your dietician) as too much can cause diarrhea....
 
K

kitomd21

New member
I pumped/fortified for a year! Heck. Good times. At any rate, we fortified each ounce to 27kcal (I believe) with Similac Advance. Her weight didn't reach above 50% weight to length until we switched clinics. Her previous doctor/dietician were greatly underdosing her enzymes for whatever reason. Upon switching, we found out she was underdosed by 3 full capsules. Funny how her weight improved afterward (she says sarcastically!).
<br />
<br />We currently add Duocal to her food. At 25kcal per scoop, it's been a great calorie booster. Be careful not to give too much (verify with your dietician) as too much can cause diarrhea....
 
E

ehtansky21

New member
I refused to stop breastfeeding my second and he refused to take a bottle, so....this is what I did.
I took a little applesauce and added the amount of formula they wanted me to use. I added a little rice cereal to thicken it up and fed it to my son, with his enzymes. It worked like a charm!!! He never really complained about the taste or anything.

I would be VERY hesitant to do the duocal with an infant...it really is not intended for them and it may cause nothing but tummy trouble!

How is your son doing on enzymes. Do you feel that his dosage is correct, i.e. his poops are "normal?"

blessings,
missa
 
E

ehtansky21

New member
I refused to stop breastfeeding my second and he refused to take a bottle, so....this is what I did.
I took a little applesauce and added the amount of formula they wanted me to use. I added a little rice cereal to thicken it up and fed it to my son, with his enzymes. It worked like a charm!!! He never really complained about the taste or anything.

I would be VERY hesitant to do the duocal with an infant...it really is not intended for them and it may cause nothing but tummy trouble!

How is your son doing on enzymes. Do you feel that his dosage is correct, i.e. his poops are "normal?"

blessings,
missa
 
E

ehtansky21

New member
I refused to stop breastfeeding my second and he refused to take a bottle, so....this is what I did.
<br />I took a little applesauce and added the amount of formula they wanted me to use. I added a little rice cereal to thicken it up and fed it to my son, with his enzymes. It worked like a charm!!! He never really complained about the taste or anything.
<br />
<br />I would be VERY hesitant to do the duocal with an infant...it really is not intended for them and it may cause nothing but tummy trouble!
<br />
<br />How is your son doing on enzymes. Do you feel that his dosage is correct, i.e. his poops are "normal?"
<br />
<br />blessings,
<br />missa
 
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