I just tried thickening my 6 week olds formula with one tbls. of rice cereal per oz. as this site reccomends, and it was REALLY thick. He sucked hard for over 30 mins (I did use a Y nipple especially for cereal) and only ate 1/2 oz and was getting mad. I switched to a regular bottle. The article says if it's not thick enough, it doesn't work. Has anyone had success using less? Is there a different ratio for smaller babies? Thanks!

I hope you don't mind, I am moving this to the feeding forum where you will get more responses.

I had great success with 1 Tbs. for every two ounces. I think that's average. Try that and see if it works. That always flowed really well out of the Y-cut.

One teaspoon per ounce is the minimum amount you can use. It works fine for Noah, but I know that many babies require more to keep it down. I would recommend starting with the smallest amount (1 tsp/oz) and then working up if it doesn't help.

I put the box of cereal in the food processor for about one minute, and then store it in tupperware to use for the bottles. The food processor turns it from flakey to very smooth like sugar. It flows perfectly through a Dr. Brown's #2, and #3. Good luck!

You might try changing brands of rice cereal. We've only had good luck Organic Brown Rice Cereal. The regular stuff is slimey and sticks to the bottle, but not the milk.

I moved this thread here and I guess it didn't leave a trail from questions, questions, questions, where she originally posted. So, I hope she finds it. I sent her two IMs. Oops.

If you found this, Sorry!

We use 3 scoops (formula scoops) of oatmeal to 5oz of formula. We use Dr browns Y cut nipple. We also put the cereal in a processor to make it smoother. She doesn't have any problems with it that way or getting it through the nipple. You kinda have to play with it to get it just right for baby...I honestly would like Isabelle's thicker but she just wont take it any thicker than that.

I use 1 tbsp per 2 oz as well and that works just fine for lizzy.....i cut her nipples (on her bottle) :Dwe use the playtex nurser bottles......she seems to eat best out of those....i tried giving it thicker and she wont eat it

Thank you all for the tips! I will try the using the food processor and starting with 1 tsp per oz and work from there. And I did find the post! Thanks! One other question, Brady is not a huge spitter, so is the thickening even helping him?

I thickened Eric's bottles because of his breathing problems. It helped with this, but not with his reflux per say.
I think it is something that varies from baby to baby. But if your not seeing any improvement and if things seem to be worse in other areas like, constipation, slow digestion, choking, etc Then there's no real reason to continue.

Here's an article you might like
http://www.reflux.org/reflux/webdoc01.nsf/(vwWebPage)/Thicken.htm?OpenDocument

We use 1tbs/2oz or 1tbs/3oz depending on how my daughter is doing that week. Also if I use all RTF I do 1:3 but if I use any powder or concentrate I always use 1:2oz because the water makes it thinner and she really cant have it thin at all.

Anyway, some kids need less and some more... you really have to experiement to get what is right for your child. My daughter cant have it too thick or she pukes across the room...

I hope that helps and I hope you get it worked out!! :) Good luck!

:smt047 Glad you found it, I figured you would get more helpful advice over here and it looks like you did!