• Knowledgebase: Infant Feeding Problems

    Questions about nursing, formulas, spitting up, and colic.

    1. Can I feed a baby evaporated milk? - Top

    Question: My grandchild frequently spits up a lot after feeding with his Enfamil formula. I believe the formula is to "rich" for him. Is it ok to give the child carnation evaporated milk with Karo syrup if it reduces the problem or perhaps dilute the formula with more water?

    Answer: no, No, NO!

    There are many reasons why babies spit up after feeding, most of which are mechanical and have absolutely NOTHING to do with they type of formula used. The most common reason is Gastroesophageal Reflux.

    Evaporated milk lacks the vitamins, the correct type of sugar, and has too much protein to be used as an infant formula. True, there are recipes for making formula from evaporated milk. However, by the time you put in all the ingredients that are truly needed, you are back to giving formula! So, why not use a formula that has been researched thoroughly and is known to be safe, and nutritious? Diluting formula with EXTRA water can be a dangerous practice that can lead to hyponatremia (low sodium in the blood) which can hurt the baby. - Updated: July 2, 2001

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    • James L Horwitz, MD

    David C. Thomas, MD

    Barbara Lindberg, PNP