Formula is intended to be an ideal mix of nutrition and calories to help your baby grow and develop. However, "Baby 411" authors Denise Fields and Ari Brown note that some babies react badly to formula. In some cases, babies have trouble with one specific ingredient, meaning other brands of formula may be OK. In other situations, the baby may not be able to handle formula at all.
Rejecting Formula
KidsHealth reports that one common sign that the baby and his formula aren't getting along is your baby's body rejecting the formula. This takes the form of either vomiting or diarrhea. Although both spitting up and loose, liquid stool are common for babies still on a liquid diet, be alert for subtle differences. Look for chunky formula mixed with stomach juices in spit up, and for a smell qualitatively different from the formula. With diarrhea, Fields and Brown advise paying attention to the amount of poo, rather than the frequency or consistency. Frequent, liquidy poo isn't necessarily a sign of diarrhea. Several full diapers in just a few hours is.
Rash
If your baby eats any food that disagrees with her, a rash is a common symptom. Fields and Brown note that the rash may appear on the face and around the mouth, or the baby could break out on her body. Severe diaper rash or other rashes on the bottom, thighs or genitals can be a reaction to food elements still present in feces or urine.
Abdominal Pain
Food reaction often causes gas, stomach upset and heartburn in babies, just as it does with adults. Since your baby can't tell you about his symptoms, be alert for signs of abdominal distress. Fields and Brown say to look out for unusually loud or frequent burps and farts, swelling or firmness of the tummy or your baby crying when touched near the stomach. Note that the latter two symptoms can also be signs of other, very serious, health problems.
Bloody Stool
KidsHealth notes that severe reactions to food might cause some bleeding in the digestive tract. This will show up as blood in your baby's stool. Blood in stool is usually black, not red.
References
- KidsHealth: Formula Basics
- "Baby 411"; Denise Fields and Ari Brown; 2009
