Similac Alimentum - No Milk, Not Exactly !!!

My little one happens to have a severe milk allergy. I have sampled or researched just about every formula on the market. I started with Enfamil Newborn which was given to me in the hospital; this is how I discovered that she had a terrible allergy to milk. She had continual terrible diarrhea and sour stomach. I tried her on Similac Alimentum and that lasted only for a few days. Her gas seemed to increase. Next, the Pediatrician suggested that I try a Soy formula. I did a little research and landed on Similac Isomil and gave it a whirl. I noticed some improvement but found that she became extremely constipated and now had a vomiting/spit-up issue. I couldn't figure it out, I was puzzled. With no other option, I reluctantly returned back to the Alimentum. To my surprise I saw some improvement. No more stomach cramps, diarrhea or gas, just mild vomiting. I weighed my options and thought this might be the less of the evils. 


She stayed on the Alimentium for 3 weeks and the mild vomiting continued unchanged. After receiving her vaccines I saw a huge shift occur and instead of mild vomiting, now it was violent continual large amounts of vomiting. I was shocked. After doing some research I discovered that some vaccines cause an increase in lactose tolerance. But, I didn't get it she wasn't on a Milk based formula. This made no sense, so I began my research. I was shocked at my discovery. 


Here are the ingredients to Similac Alimentium: 


Per 5 FL OZ: Protein Equivalent 2.75 g; Fat 5.54 g; Carbohydrate 10.2 g; Water 133 g; Linoleic Acid 1900 mg; Vitamin A 300 IU; Vitamin D 45 IU; Vitamin E 3.0 IU; Vitamin K 15 mcg; Thiamin (Vitamin B1) 60 mcg; Vitamin B12 0.45 mcg; Niacin 1350 mcg; Folic Acid (Folacin) 15 mcg; Pantothenic Acid 750 mcg; Biotin 4.5 mcg; Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) 9.0 mg; Choline 8 mg; Inositol 5 mg; Calcium 105 mg; Phosphorus 75 mg; Magnesium 7.5 mg; Iron 1.8 mg; Zinc 0.75 mg; Manganese 8 mcg; Copper 75 mcg; Iodine 15 mcg; Sodium 44 mg; Potassium 118 mg; Chloride 80 mg; Water 87%; Sugar (Sucrose) 4.4%; Casein Hydrolysate (Enzymatically Hydrolyzed and Charcoal Treated) 2.2%; Modified Tapioca Starch 2.2%; Safflower Oil 1.5%; Fractionated Coconut Oil (Medium-Chain Triglycerides) 1.3%; Soy Oil 1.1%; Less Than 1% Of: Calcium Citrate; Calcium Phosphate Dibasic; Carrageenan; Ascorbic Acid; Potassium Citrate; Potassium Phosphate Dibasic; Magnesium Chloride; Calcium Hydroxide; Potassium Chloride; Sodium Chloride; L-Methionine; L-Tyrosine; Choline Chloride; L-Tryptophan; Ferrous Sulfate; Taurine; L-Cystine Dihydrochloride; m-Inositol; Zinc Sulfate; Alpha-Tocopheryl Acetate; L-Carnitine; Niacinamide; Calcium Pantothenate; Cupric Sulfate; Vitamin A Palmitate; Thiamine Chloride Hydrochloride; Pyridoxine Hydrochloride; Potassium Iodide; Phylloquinone; Sodium Selenate; Vitamin D3; Cyanocobalamin. 


Notice the highlighted YELLOW ingredient, that's MILK. Not exactly a milk free formula now is it?!?! 




I was completely upset by this discovery. It explained the symptoms she was still exhibiting. I brought this up to the Pediatrician, and he confirmed this discovery. He stated that often children with a milk allergy have more  of a digestion issue rather than an actual milk allergy. This clearly was not the case for my daughter. 


Now I was left to researching another option and I discovered Enfamil Soy. Similac Isomil did not work so this was my last resort. 


I headed to the store and picked up a few concentrated cans and gave it a try. Needless to say, she is doing great. Still some gas, but no more vomiting, spitting up or diarrhea. She even seems happier. 


I'm not saying this is Bible for every child, but I wanted to make my readers aware that checking the ingredients is key. 


You can't Know Best if you don't Know What's In The Bottle!