Similac Alimentum Vs. Nestle Good Start for Colic
Pediatricians define colic as crying jags lasting up to three hours, three times a week for three weeks at a time or more. If your otherwise healthy infant experiences these symptoms, she may have colic. According to experts at the University of Michigan Health System, changing formulas may help ease digestive discomfort that can contribute to colic. Similac Alimentum and Nestle Good Start provide options for colicky infants.
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All parents want the best for their baby.
Benefits of Similac Alimentum
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Feeding is bonding. Similac Alimentum claims to reduce colic symptoms in babies within 24 hours if the infant suffers from protein sensitivity. Protein sensitivities often cause the abdominal comfort and intense crying jags associated with colic. If your infant is sensitive to the proteins in cow and soy milk, you might want to consider this brand because its proteins are broken into smaller pieces that may be easier for your baby to digest.
Drawbacks of Similac Alimentum
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Studies from the CDC found trace amounts of perchlorate in Similac Alimentum, although these levels were considered safe and were generally lower than those found in other infant formula brands. Perchlorate is a pollutant that can interfere with thyroid gland function. On average, Similac Alimentum is also more expensive than other hypoallergenic formulas, including Nestle Good Start.
Benefits of Nestle Good Start
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Nestle claims to reduce infants' risks of developing food allergies that contribute to colic. Good Start contains small pieces of partially hydrolyzed whey proteins that will not curdle in the stomach. Infants digest these "comfort proteins" quickly and easily, reducing spit up and producing stools more similar to breastfed babies. It is less expensive than Similac; in a survey group of 139 parents who tried Good Start, 116 agreed that it eased their baby's colic symptoms.
Drawbacks of Nestle
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When baby is happy, parents are happy. According to a CDC study Nestle had higher levels of perchlorate on average than Similac Alimentum. Additionally there has been some controversy over Nestle's previous claims of hypoallergenic benefits, which makes some consumers uneasy. The corporation has also come under fire for misleading advertising oversees that suggests formula is better than breast milk. Two chief complaints among parents are that Good Start is often difficult to dissolve and may cause unusual, foul-smelling green stools.
The Bottom Line
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No one formula will eradicate colic in all infants. Breast milk is best, but if you cannot breastfeed, experiment with these different brands of formula to see which one eases your infant's colic symptoms. If switching formula does not help, contact your child's pediatrician to rule out any underlying medical condition. You should discuss all feeding decisions during your child's first year with his pediatrician. Coping with a colicky baby can be very stressful. Seek support from medical professionals as well as online forums, such as www.colic.help.com, where parents vent and share helpful hints about how to deal with colic.
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