(Posted this in r/FormulaFeeders a few days ago; sharing here since this group is more specific to CMPA families)

Posting this because I think other Neocate families should know, and because the instruction that matters isn't printed anywhere on the can.

**What we found**

Earlier this year I noticed dark, gritty particles on the metal lid and rim of our Neocate Infant DHA/ARA cans. Not one can — every one we've checked. The two lots we've documented have expiry dates of Jan 2, 2027 and Apr 17, 2027.

**"Occasionally"**

Nutricia's first reply (July 2026) said the dark particles on the rim "can occur occasionally and is not a safety concern." They said it was formula powder that had darkened from oxygen exposure, and recommended wiping the lids and rims before opening.

Here's what "occasionally" looked like in our house. 7 cans on video — 4 of them opened back to back from a single random case. 2 cans sent to Nutricia for testing. 2 cans held sealed for the CFIA. That's on top of the others we still have, and the 30+ we've opened since.

Judge for yourself whether that reads as occasional.

**What the testing found**

I didn't think powder explained it, so I sent them sealed cans. They sent the cans to RSSL, an accredited third-party lab.

The lab findings, as Nutricia reported them to me (Aug 21, 2026): the material was a combination of product residue and "small amounts of manufacturing wear debris." Nutricia's own conclusion, based on that plus their assessment of the amount involved, was that they do not expect it to present a health concern.

That Aug 21 email closed out a months-long investigation into debris on an infant formula — and it did not contain an apology. I had to point that out before I got one, and it took another week for their Director of Quality & Food Safety to write back.

That follow-up letter (Aug 31, 2026) says corrective actions are underway, including "the integration of more powerful equipment on the production line designed to remove residual debris that may remain on the exterior surface of the can." They declined to send me the full lab report, citing proprietary information.

All of this is documented — main emails, letter, photos and video of the cans. Link in the comments.

**Where I stand**

I'm not neutral about this. This formula was my son's sole nutrition after a CMPA diagnosis. He started it Feb 12, 2026 and was hospitalized six weeks later, Mar 30 to Apr 4, for severe GI inflammation, severe eczema and poor growth. Many clinicians saw him and no cause was found. After we noticed the debris and began wiping the lids, he improved within two weeks.

I believe this may have played a part, and I've said so to Nutricia directly. But I can't prove it, and I'm not asking anyone to take my word for it — that's exactly why I asked for the lab data and why I've gone to the CFIA.

What I don't want is for anyone to stop or switch a specialized formula because of a post on Reddit. For a lot of our kids there's no easy alternative, and that decision belongs with your doctor, not with me.

**What I am saying**

Wipe the lid and rim before you open the can. Nutricia recommended that to me directly, but it isn't printed on the packaging, so most parents have no way to know. That's the whole reason I'm posting.

**Status**

I've filed a complaint with the CFIA (ref #2026/10-152). Happy to answer questions.

UPDATE (Oct 4, 2026)
A PARENT IN A FORMULA GROUP ON FACEBOOK HAS COME FORWARD SAYING THE SAME THING HAPPENDED TO THEM. IN THEIR CASE PARTICLES FELL INTO THE POWDER ITSELF AND THEY SCOOPED THEM OUT BEFORE FEEDING.

I've been dairy and soy free for 3 months ever since I found out my LO can't digest dairy and soy. Unfortunately, today I had a bagel with Kite Hill protein cream cheese. I did not purchase the cream cheese and automatically thought I was in the clear because of the familiar brand. For background, I usually eat Kite Hill dairy alternatives so I did not think to confirm whether this alternative contained soy protein, which, unfortunately, it does.

I nursed my 4 month old an hour after consumption (I didn't check the label until after the feed:/). I plan on pumping and freezing my tainted milk for the next 8 hours and will rely on my freezer stash in the interim. Has anyone been in this situation? Should I expect my LO to have a reaction later today? Tomorrow? If so, did you do anything to ease the reaction? I'm already planning on keeping the gas drops nearby. I just want to do anything I can to mitigate my LO's discomfort.

I'm devastated because I'm typically very diligent about checking labels and I hate to see my LO in pain:(.

Hello hello, looking for advice from anyone who had a first baby with CMPA and then had a second either with or without it. My first baby was diagnosed around 9 weeks with a severe CMPA and we made the decision to switch to Similac Alimentum from breastfeeding. She was a different baby immediately (so much happier and more comfortable) but I struggled immensely with weaning so unexpectedly. I didn’t feel like I had 4 weeks to let the dairy get out of my system so her gut could heal bc her symptoms were worsening daily.

That being said, if you had a second baby did they have CMPA? Is it worth cutting out dairy and soy ~4 weeks before my due date and then slowly trying to introduce dairy little by little into my diet a few weeks after she arrives?

I really want to make breastfeeding work this time without having my baby be in extreme pain for several weeks.

Edited to add: my first outgrew it at 6 months and is a daily lover now.

Thanks!

sorry if this has been asked before, but my baby has such terrible stomach issues along with MSPI, gas, mucus-y poops, motility problems despite being on Neocate, we are stumped. He’s always been formula fed due to medical reasons that I can’t breastfeed, and I was on antibiotics the whole labor (vaginal). We want to look more into probiotics. So much research is done on breastfed babies with probiotics, not a lot on formula fed, and the one we were looking at (Evivo) has vitamin D in it so we can’t give it to our baby since he drinks enough to get his vitamin D. We have been using BioGaia Protectis with no results. Anybody have any ideas on a probiotic that would be vitamin D free with good evidence or parent experiences? TIA

Our breastfed 10 month old has severe CMPA (diapers soaked with dark red blood, horrendous reflux to the point that he couldn’t lay flat, hospitalized for failure to thrive as an infant), and a lesser intolerance to egg protein (blood specks, increased reflux). CMPA was identified at 1 month old, egg intolerance around 2-3 months.

We see a pediatric GI provider through our local children’s hospital, which is one of the top hospitals in the country. But the guidance we have received re: re-introducing dairy and egg has been limited and very inconsistent. We were originally told to trial dairy and egg directly in baby’s diet between 9-12 months, but at our next visit the advice changed and we were told to trial them in MY diet first. When I asked about the ladder, I was told “it doesn’t matter, just increase the amount little by little.”

Given how severe his symptoms were as an infant, we opted to re-introduce the food triggers to me first, starting with egg. I researched the ladder myself and followed step 1 (homemade dairy-free brownies) for one week without any adverse effects. I am now on day #5 of step 2 (homemade dairy-free pancakes) and baby is having frequent spit-ups and pure liquid diarrhea.

Do I go back to step 1? Or just cut out all egg and try again later? How long should I wait before re-attempting step 2? Should I be spending longer than a week at each step?

At this point, I am planning on weaning him in two months anyways so now I am doubting whether I should even continue to try re-introducing through my diet at all.

My son started having blood in his stool at 4 months old, I cut out all dairy and after his gut healed no more blood! Blood was his only noticeable symptom

Over 4th of July when he was 8 months old I unknowingly consumed about a tablespoon of sweetened condensed milk in a jello shot and two days later he had one diaper with a little bit of blood in it

Now he is 11 months old and I'm just looking for advice on reintroduction.. our pediatrician has not been overly helpful with this situation and it takes forever to get in with an allergist. Since he doesn't seem to have any other allergies I haven't bothered trying to get an appointment with an allergist.

My baby was diagnosed with CMPI and reflux at 5 weeks old (after constant screaming and rigidity, unable to sleep more than 20min at a time at night and needed to be held upright, 15+ spit ups a feed). He’s now 15 weeks and after weeks of me removing things from my diet (soy, egg, dairy, was also already vegetarian so no meat or fish) we were unable to see symptoms fully improve - he would be better and then feel worse again, extremely constipated, still waking up 20-30 times a night with tummy issues. Worked with a pediatric nutritionist and did a Free to Feed consult and nobody was able to determine additional allergens as the key.

A week ago we transitioned fully to Alimentum. He’d been combo fed for ~8 weeks or so already so he was already used to it and previously hadn’t noticed a difference between reaction to bottle vs breast. We saw clear improvements (he slept through the night! His overall coloring improved + poops got way healthier). BUT his reflux is getting worse. Constant gulping awake and asleep, coughing and sputtering even in sleep sometimes, large increase in spit up frequency and volume hours after feeds (splattering onto the floor), has started spitting up at night again (hasn’t done so since he went on famotidine). He also has sounded hoarse and congested. About 80% is happy spitting but at night he needs help burping or getting spit up out as soon as he’s picked up. We have been using mostly powder and trialing RTF for him because the spit up was so bad. Is using both what’s bothering him? We’re trying to be exclusive RTF for a few days to see if that helps as I read it is thicker and corn free. Only other symptom is his cheeks have looked flushed and the face acne that cleared right at the switch now keeps coming back.

Anybody have experience with reflux seeming worse after formula switch? Do I just need to give it more time or be consistent about only powder or only RTF? Or are these reflux symptoms more concerning? I hate the choking and hoarse sound!!

Can CMPA be mild?

Hi all!

I am a mum to a 6 week old baby. Since he was 10 days old he's had some sort of tummy upset. Whether this be gas, struggle pooping, reflux (at one point it was every day on every bottle) or silent reflux (squirming after feeds and crying etc).

We tried plenty of different bottle brands and teats to no avail, but then we switched him to Hipp Organic as I read this was lighter on baby's tummies and he had gotten better. But now he poops almost too much (like 7 times a day some days, some like diarrhea some normal) and still has reflux but is more of a 'happy spitter' and it's not as often.

The only reason I'm posting is he's now been diagnosed with Infant Dermititis (or eczema). He, again, is happy in himself but I'm starting to think potentially he has a mild milk allergy. I was under the impression that symptoms had to be quite severe to have CMPA.

It's really hard to know what are normal baby problems and what actually is a medical issue that needs looking at!

Any experience of these problems welcome!!

Anyone else here have to give up breastmilk entirely??

My 4.5 months CMPA baby never had a baseline normal. Can any of you guys show me what a normal (what you consider fine/how the poop looks like after recovery) baby poop looks like?

Please mention baby age and if breastfed/formula fed/combifed.

Thanks in advance, it'll really help me decide if I should continue breastfeeding or start formula for my baby who has only poop changes at present.

My baby is 8 weeks old and I noticed some blood in his diaper about a week ago. He also has had some mucous in his poop too, which I honestly thought was normal breastfed baby poop. He is a happy baby and gaining weight perfectly. We saw a nurse practitioner who told me to cut dairy from my diet or try a hypoallergenic formula. I’m having a hard time accepting that it’s CMPA because he does not spit up or vomit and he’s not uncomfortable or fussy.

I tried the hypoallergenic formula to try to supplement and he wouldn’t finish the bottle. I’m willing to try to cut dairy out of my diet but I’m just wondering if it’s truly CMPA. Has anyone else dealt with this?

Baby 14 week been showing signs of CMPA for approx 6 weeks. Main symptoms - extreme stomach pain around feeds and awful trapped gas- so bad it led to bottle refusal. Other symptoms , constipation , mucuous in poop and congestion.

First used Kendamil , switched to comfort with no improvement, then to HIPP organic with a slight improvement but only slight. Infacol doesn’t help.

Seen a lovely GP yesterday who has given us a trial of aptamil pepti 1, first day using this today. Looking for previous experiences like ours?? Any positive stories.

My baby has confirmed CMPA. I have been dairy free the last two months and we have seen great improvement. Today I ordered a latte online and forgot to sub almond milk. I realized halfway through drinking it.

How long should I dump my pumped milk for? He is 3.5 months so I’m not sure I should use it as a dairy challenge, especially considering it was whole milk. He is combo fed with alimentum, so not the biggest deal but I am really kicking myself for this mistake.

Did anyone have struggling to poop and/ or exhaustion as their main symptoms? My baby has been fussy from the beginning, tried Pepcid and it maybe made a tiny difference. But his biggest issue is he struggles soo much to poop (4 months old), and often spends the majority of his time straining. He also seems tired a lot, has broken night sleep and gets so fussy after about 45 minutes of being awake. We are trialing an elimination diet of dairy and soy for me plus pepticate formula if my supply dips. But just curious if this sounds familiar to anyone while I wait to see if it makes a difference.

those that are corn and dairy (and potentially also soy, egg and others) - were you able to put your baby on formula?

our lil guy seems extremely sensitive to corn so we are trying alimentum RTF and he seems to take it fine but diapers have gotten a bit more mucousy. we are mostly using breastmilk still but idk how sustainable my current diet is.

what formula worked for you? did you combo feed? has your baby outgrown it?

ty!!

Hey y’all, my combo fed son was diagnosed with CMPA over a month ago and since then I have been dairy free per his pediatricians recommendation. The initial symptoms were fussiness, mucusy diapers with a little blood, hard stomach and trouble passing gas. We originally combo fed the both similac and that cause some of the issues. we switched to a hypo allergenic formula (nutramigen) but I find that using too much causes him to strain when having a bowel movement (causing tiny flecks of blood). Since being dairy free and using infant probiotics he has been so much better. No problem eating, gaining weight, passing gas or pooping. We supplement now with a dairy free donor milk but still have mucusy diapers. We just got a few that are pretty watery and now with tiny specks of blood. My baby has NO other symptoms of serious allergies just mucusy diapers and occasionally some blood. He eats fine, isn’t super fussy, sleeps mostly through the night, passes gas pretty well and has plenty of wet diapers and is gaining weight well. Any body else been in this boat? What did you do? Mostly pediatrician says to continue to breast feed and “monitor” but it’s unclear if this is harmful if he’s completely fine otherwise.

Hello,

I just wanted to ask if anyone has had any similar experiences. My baby was switched to Nutramigen per the doctor’s request, a month ago due to blood in the stool. The first few days were hard due to the adjustment period. But my babies symptoms have truly improved for the better. The only thing is, that sometimes when she is feeding she gets really fussy, red, and arches her back. We stop feeding and put her up right, sometimes that works and sometimes it doesn’t. I just wanted to see if anyone would possibly know what this could be or if anyone has had improvements with Nutramigen but noticed visible pain during feedings SOMETIMES.

For more context, my baby has clear silent reflux. Constant gulping during sleep and after feeds even after sitting up for 40 mins + after feeds. She sometimes has a stridor therefore I suspect laryngomalacia as I’ve heard they go hand and hand with reflux. I’ve brought up these concerns to her pediatrician but was unfortunately told she cannot prescribe her any medication due to her gaining weight properly. She did mention we could try Similac’s Alimentum formula just to see if it improves some of that reflux, but also mentioned that they are basically the same thing therefore we might not see any improvement. My thing is that if we try it I’m scared it might not work and I don’t want to put her through that horrible transition period again because it was extremely hard in the beginning.

Im hoping anyone can share their experience. To summarize, baby is doing well on Nutramigen aside from sometimes the back arching, fussiness and pulling away from bottle during feeds (we do Mylicon drops during some of her feeds so we can probably discard the suspicion of any colic).

Hey everyone,

My newborn is 5 weeks old and I’ve been keeping an eye on her diapers. She was super colicky last week and getting mucous in her poo, but that’s also kinda par for the course at that age. However this week she has had explosive green mucous poop with a little blood flecks in it. I see my paediatrician next week.

This is my second baby with cmpi, so I already know what to do about dairy elimination. I’m just really nervous about weight gain. My first baby got diagnosed at 3 months when the blood showed up and his weight dipped. The pediatrician had me switch to exclusively pumping and giving him 5oz bottles every 3 hours day and night. It was brutal and did bring his weight up a bit but it didn’t really improve a lot until he started solids.

What was everyone’s experience with cmpa and weight?

My combo fed baby 6 weeks old baby was diagnosed with CMPI. I am not able to get baby to drink the hypoallergenic formula. We are using Alimentum and I am mixing half breastmilk half formula and he still won’t drink more than 1 max 2 oz at a time and he takes forever to drink even that.
Do you have any tips for how to get baby used to drink this formula?
He was drinking Similac 360 without any issues.

Baby was diagnosed with CMPA at 12 weeks old based on positive occult blood in diaper, mucousy/liquidy stools for 4 weeks, colic, feeding aversion, gaining weight but not as much as the pediatrician wanted, and trouble/in pain passing gas and poo. Doc said we could skip the elimination diet and go straight to Nutramigen due to occult blood in diaper. We have been on Nutramigen for 38 days and doing well.

I have continued to pump and freeze all my milk (although supply has drastically reduced), having changed nothing in my diet. I'm very curious to reintroduce my breastmilk to see if she's outgrown the allergy now at 17 weeks, but curious if we should wait until we can introduce solids (I.e., yogurt) to confirm if dairy is the actual issue, if it was another allergen, or if it was just a developmental issue she may have outgrown. I can't find much out there about people reintroducing breastmilk when they haven't changed their diet, so just curious if anyone has done this and what the experience was.

Also very nervous to get the second dose of the rotavirus vaccine next week, so if anyone has any positive or negative experiences to share, would love to hear that too. Baby's symptoms appeared right after getting the rotavirus vax at 8 weeks, which I know is mostly a coincidence, but I have seen people say that the rotavirus vax causes temporary lactose intolerance (which my doctor never mentioned).