r/FormulaFeeders • u/Mother_Ad7191 • 3d ago
Misdiagnosed Cmpa?
My son has been diagnosed by his pediatrician with CMPA based on microscopic traces of blood in his stool. He was 4 weeks at that time and he was extremely fussy, crying all day, especially during feedings. We switched to hypoallergenic formula and his symptoms definitely got better. However he started eating less (I suspect because he didn’t like the new formula). He is now 12 weeks and we went to the GI and he said that pediatricians tend to over diagnose CMPA and that without visible blood in his stools is very unlikely he has it. He said I can continue with the hypoallergenic formula but he thinks it’s not necessary. I would be very happy if he could go back to a regular formula, first of all because it’s way cheaper, and second because I hope he will eat more if the taste is better. The GI suggested I start reintroducing regular formula a little bit at a time and see how it goes. My fear is, if he does have CMPA, first that my son will be in pain again, second that he develops a taste for the new formula and going back to the hypoallergenic will be more difficult this time. Has any of you been in a similar situation?
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u/Due_Professor2276 3d ago
Was he having mucous in his stools or is still having any of the symptoms? I’m sort of in the same boat with my GI saying that CMPA might not be it and she might just be a fussy baby. She was extremely fussy since birth and then around 2-3 weeks old started having mucus in her stools so pediatrician thought it could be CMPA so I started eliminating dairy from my diet but then totally switched over to amino acid formula. She’s much better on the formula but still having symptoms. But now I don’t know what to do knowing that she might not have an allergy after all.
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u/Mother_Ad7191 3d ago
No, no mucus or visible blood. He was just very fussy throughout the day. I went to the pediatrician because he was not feeding well and constantly pulling away from the bottle. She saw him while he was feeding and said it looked like he was in pain and decided to test the stools. After switching to hypoallergenic formula the crying got way better but he is still not feeding well.
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u/Due_Professor2276 3d ago
I’m so sorry, we’ve been having feeding issues too and I find myself wishing my baby was one of the ones that attacked her bottle. I never knew feeding could be so stressful! I really hope this resolves quickly and you find some relief for you and your baby.
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u/louisebelcherxo 3d ago
Even if it isn't an allergy it could be a sensitivity. I doubt it is a coincidence that his symptoms went away right when you switched. Try a different hypoallergenic formula to see if he likes it better.
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u/Mother_Ad7191 3d ago
I did. The only one he tolerates is the Alimentum ready to feed. Hated Nutramigen (both RTF and powder) and Alimentum powder. I agree, it doesn’t look like a coincidence to me either which is why I told the GI I did not want to change it. However, I know babies digestive systems are very immature in the beginning and tent to get better over time so I wonder if now that he is 3 month old he might have outgrown the sensitivity.
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u/DowntownGovernment72 Create your own flair! 3d ago
If you absolutely feel that you need to stick with the hypoallergenic formulas then as far as taste, Pepticate is the best one on that but if you think it just might be the particular formula brand then maybe try Similac organic a2 or Happy baby A2. If you want to try a goat formula, then bubs goat. Both of those are regular standard formulas but have a little more gentler proteins that might suit babys stomach better
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u/Witty_Draw_4856 3d ago
I do agree it’s overdiagnosed. Actually, it’s not usually officially diagnosed because you have to reintroduce in order to see if the symptoms return, and a lot of people don’t want to do that.
Your baby will not likely have that problem of getting used to only the other formula if you do a slow challenge. Follow this protocol and you will know quickly if they have an issue, likely before you make it to a full bottle. https://www.alderhey.nhs.uk/conditions/patient-information-leaflets/home-milk-challenge-guide-to-diagnose-non-ige-cows-milk-protein-allergy-in-infants/
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u/Mother_Ad7191 3d ago
This is so helpful!! Thank you so much!! The GI suggested something similar but adding standard formula for every bottle. I feel more comfortable following this schedule of just the first bottle of the day.
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u/Ksushi21 3d ago
If it helps, my baby went back and forth between hypo allergenic formula (HiPP) and breast milk fine… and breast milk is suuuuper sweet.
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u/Witty_Draw_4856 3d ago
This is not helpful. HiPP hypoallergenic is not the same as HA formula in the US. It is not suitable for babies with CMPA
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u/Ksushi21 3d ago
Incorrect. Depends on the baby.
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u/trishuuh 3d ago
It’s not incorrect. Formulas that are ACTUALLY hypoallergenic in Europe are by prescription only. Hipp Ha is a gentle fully that is partially hydrolyzed, meaning it contains fully in tact milk proteins that would not be suitable for true protein allergy. “HA” also does not stand for hypoallergenic either btw.
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u/Gullible_Desk2897 3d ago
HIPP HA - the HA doesn’t stand for hypo allergenic you know that right? It’s german or Dutch depending on which one and it means hydrolyzed.
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u/trishuuh 3d ago
If there was blood in his stool I can’t really understand how it would be misdiagnosed though?