How to Thicken your Baby's Formula
Posted: Friday, January 22, 2010
by Clairessa Renken
Picture this you just get the news that your baby needs his/her formula thickened. What would you do? Well the first thing you will probably do is panic. You have never heard of thickener before. The first question will probably be what is thickener? Thickener is exactly what it sounds like, an agent used to make liquid thick. There are three types of thickness' your baby might need. They are Nectar, Syrup, or Honey for a baby. A swollow study is done to determine what consistancy your baby needs. Your physican and/or an Occupational Therapist will go over the major details. Just relax and don't sweat the small stuff. You will make it through it. When you read this article you will see how simple it really will be. Through out all the steps keep in mind that I am following the steps for one packet of thickener to six ounces of formula (You go by the recipe your doctor or OT tells you to use.) The recipe for the thickener vary between hospitals/clinics.
To thicken your baby's formula you will need atleast four ruber maid containers ( which is the brand name of the container.) The size of the container will depend on which formula your baby uses.
If your baby uses a powdered formula you will ofcourse need to get the formula. You will also only need a one pint/sixteen ounce container.
If your baby uses a READY TO USE/ALREADY MADE formula you will need two different containers and the formula. You will need the one quart/thirty two once container and the one pint/sixteen ounce container.
You can find these containers, formula, and bottles at Wal-Mart for sure and sometimes at Dollar General.
2. Make your baby's formula
For the baby with the POWDERED FORMULA you will take one of the one pint/sixteen ounce containers and fill it with water untill you get to the twelve ounce line. Then put six scoops (follow directions on back of can accordingly) of formula in the container. Put the lid on the container and shake well. This is so it mixes thoroughly.
For the baby that is using the READY TO USE FORMULA take the can of formula and shake, wash and dry off the top of the can, and then use a pop top opener to make two holes in the top of the can. (like you would the top of a tomato sauce can.) Take one of your one quart/thirty-two ounce containers and pour the formula in it. Now take the one pint/sixteen ounce container and pour twelve ounces of formula into it. Put the lid on the one quart/thirty-two ounce with formula in the refrigerator.
3. Add the Thickener
Using the scale of six ounce of formula to one packet of thickener,you will add two packets of thickner to the one pint/sixteen ounce container of formula. Put the lid on the top of it and shake well. You will see it get to the consistancy you need it to be in a matter of seconds. If the mix is bubbly it is ok that is going to happen with the thickener.
4. Get ready to feed your baby
This is the final step. Get your baby's bottle that you want to use out. Take the thickened liquid and put the formula in the bottle. Only put the amount of formula into the bottle that your baby is going to eat. Put the nipple with ring on top of the bottle. Store the left over thickened formula in the refriderator for the next feeding. If you see bubbles flowing once your baby is sucking on the bottle is how you know you did it right and also that your baby is getting the formula it needs out of the bottle.
See what I mean piece of cake! So relax. It is as simple as listening to your physian or Occupational Thearpist and following these steps. Do not stress over it, it will be just fine. Here are some websites to look at to explain what thickener is.
Go to http://simplythick.com (This is the one that is available to thicken my baby's formula.) It has come to my attention here recently that Simply Thick is having some issues with some of there Thickner, So I would like to again say always check with your doctor and therapist and go by what they tell you to do. Also always check recalls on anything. These days this is very important as things are recalled all the time. www.nestlenutrionstore.com This is also only for specific medical diognosis through a swallow study (an X-ray that they give the baby there formula and see what consistancy works or if your baby can just use regular formula. If the milk comes back up through the nose or out the mouth they will suggest a certain thicken, such as nectar, honey, or syrup consistancy.
Clairessa Renken
SearchWarp.com
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This Article has been viewed 2,418 times. (Not updated in real-time.)
Top-level comments on this article: (7 total)I have always heard use a small amount of cereal to thicken formula and to never use honey as it can cause problems in infants younger than one year. I'd like to check into this further, what kind of nectar, etc. What is your source? Thanks for the information.My daughter has some specific swallowing problems and Honey, nectar, syrup are not the actuall thing. They come from a brand called simply thick. You can only get it from a doctor or Occupational Thearpist order. Kinda like what they use if the elderly have problems swollowing. It comes in a gel or powder, except with babies they prefer gel thickener instead of powder.I just put some new links to explain better on the page.I got to reading your comment further...by all means don't give a baby actual honey or nectar or syrup. That can harm a baby.
I thought you did a great job. Keep up the good work.
I needed this 3 babies ago. As a father who "lent a hand", I was always wondering about this. I could have used this back when. Now, I will be able to tell my children with their kids, as a grandfather!Did your kids have swollowing issues? Thank you for your comment. Glad I could help.
Claressa,It's been a few year...but why does the formula need to be thickened?
A very interesting article Clairessa. I shoul have read one like this some 50 years ago though when my wife and I were in the childbearing age, and business. But, I still enjoyed reading it. Thanks for sharing it with us.Thank you...Do to all the questions about it, I am going to try to do an article that is more in debth on Thickener.DO NOT USE SIMPLY THICK with infants. It has been known to cause deaths in premature infants. If your child has dysphagia(swallow problems:coughing/choking) or reflux,seek the help of a speech therapist.
DO NOT USE Simply Thick with infants. It has caused deaths in premature infants. For more information, eee a speech pathologist if your baby has dysphagia(swallowing difficulties). Seek professional help for dysphagia or reflux.Are u saying this due to the recalls or y? People should only be using any thickner under a doctors care and thearpist as stated in the article. I don't know what is going on in other states but I know in Missouri they recalled all of the thickner in the packets but pumps were sent out instead. I do have a friend in another state that has been advised with the info u have though. Not sure what is up?See the research put out by the FDA regarding the development of necrotizing enterocolitis in premature infants receiving thickened feeds using SimplyThick®
Furthermore, as a dysphagia/speech therapist writing this, you should always be under a doctor's care and speech pathologist's care in order to determine the right consistency and what you should use to thicken the formula.This can be determined by a video fluoroscopy feeding study that your doctor orders if you have dysphagia. You may be able to use a commercial thickener or cereal. Always seek a professional's help before you do anything.....
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