Should formula milk be changed if an infant suffers from stomach cramps?
Patient: My grandson is a preemie. He is now almost 8 weeks old. He spent almost 7 weeks in hospital. At first he had to be fed mostlt thru nose tube. He gradually was dismissed because he ate all formula thru bottle. He has been home 1 week now. He came home on. Similac neosure preemie formula. Gold can. Seems his fussiness is getting much worse. It is worse after he eats and he cries as if in pain from a cramping. He just doesn t seem to be happy at all. Do you think another formula might be the answer.. Thank you Cindy Renquist YYYY@YYYY Doctor: Hello and Welcome to 'Ask A Doctor" service.  I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.  I would like to know how many weeks was the pregnancy and what his birth weight and current weight are.  Has he been on Similac Neosure Preemie Formula since birth?  When did he start to become fussy?  Does he cry all the time?  In what position is he when fed?  Does he spit up or vomit?  If you hold him upright while feeding and for 20-30 minutes afterwards and he doesn't cry, then it is possible that he could have reflux of formula out of stomach and back up into esophagus.  Because premature infants weigh less than full-term babies, formulas for premature infants contain more calories per ounce than formulas given to full-term babies. I do not recommend changing formula.  Continue the same formula that was given in the hospital.  I do strongly recommend your grandchild be seen by his pediatrician as soon as possible for evaluation.  Hope I have answered your query.  Let me know if I can assist you further.  Arnold Zedd, MD, FAAP