This review is mostly about my experience with Alimentum, and why I had to use it, in hopes of helping any out there with children who have a milk or soy allergy, reflux, or "colic" ;) My heart goes out to you.

First let me give you some background info. I had just given birth to my second daughter, having high hopes of breatfeeding her, and not really expecting any problems. She breast fed fine at first, but about 2 days after she was born, it started.... Waaaaa Waaaaaa Waaaaaaa! She cried all the time, for hours on end... and as soon as she seemed to stop crying, she would start again. She was feeding fine, every hour and a half. I took her to the doctor when I just couldn't seem to figure out the problem, and I got the dreaded diagnosis.... colic. Something in my gut told me it was NOT colic, so I then started daily visits with my lactation consultant, hoping she might find a clue. Everything in the feeding department seemed fine. After a week of the non-stop crying, something had to give, and breastfeeding was replaced with formula.... Enfamil w/ Iron. The crying got worse. This went on for about 2 months, with many visits to the doc., and still the same dreaded colic diagnosis. I had even asked him once if it was possible that she was allergic to milk or had reflux, and he refused to even think of that, even after I informed him that my father is allergic to milk, and I am allergic to soy. No, No, No. It was COLIC. So now, at 2 months of age, she was constantly crying, always crabby, throwing up daily, had VERY bad diarhea, and I could hear gurgling sounds coming from here throat area while and after she ate. I tried switching to Soy formula, but still the same symptoms. Finally, I got another appointment with a different doctor, and low and behold, I got a different diagnosis the very same day. It seemed that my daughter was allergic to milk AND soy, and had a mild case of reflux. We were told to switch her formula to Nutramigen or Alimentum immediately, and then given some Reflux medication. The Nutramagen still had a hint of milk protein in it, and it was still a bit too much for my daughter. So with Alimentum lay our last shred of hope. If this did not work, I was surely going to go insane...... YES!!!! Halleluah it worked. It seemed instantaneously! She was a completely different baby. She was finally rid of daily pain and discomfort, bless her heart. Yes, the formula was expensive, but I would have paid 5 times that, given what the formula did for us and our baby. Her reflux also faded. I am told by the doc. that Alimentum also helps with reflux symptoms. And at 4 months, her reflux was completely cured, and she was taken off the meds.

So my opinion of Alimentum is very HIGH!!! She is a happy and very healthy 18 months old, who will probably always be sensitive to milk products and soy, even though she can drink whole milk! Things like ice cream seem to upset her belly, go figure. She is VERy smart, so the full year of Alimentum did not in any way affect her learning. And she is the chunkiest 18 month old I have ever seen, her appetite is very healthy.

The formula is made with NO milk or soy protein, so it is for babies with an allergy/sensitivity to milk.... or for babies with premature digestive systems. It is predigested (broken down) so the baby's stomach does not have to do the grueling work of digesting it, which is why the cost is so high. It has special fat added to it, since most babies with these problems have trouble gaining weight. Don't get this confused with "Carnation Good Start"(CGS), whose milk proteins are only partially broken down. If you feel that your baby is only a bit sensitive to milk, CGS may work for you. It worked for my first daughter, who couldn't quite tollerate regular Enfamil, but did fine with CGS. If your baby has a bonafide milk and soy allergy along with reflux, I highly doubt that CGS will do the trick.

It is only sold in Ready to feed form that must be refridgerated after opening. I just got my daughter used to drinking it cold. I think she liked it better cold, because it helps with the bitter taste of it. I bought a insulated bottle holder to carry cold bottles with me on errands. And sometimes used the 8 ounce cans (my doc gave them to me) on outings (make sure to pack some kind of can opener too). For the most part, my daughter drank one full large can (1 quart) a day, but that will vary for each child. Just to give you an idea.

I am sorry to any of you having to resort to Alimentum for whatever reason. Just know that it will most likely help your situation, so it can't hurt to try it.

Recommended: Yes