I have been trying thickening with rice cereal, 1 tsp per ounce, and ds seems to be doing well with this. He doesn't seem to gulp and get gassy as much, and it seems to stay down better. My questions are these: 1. How do you prepare the thickened feedings? Can it be done ahead of time? I have been making the bottles, warming them, then adding the cereal right before feeding. 2. Can you re use a thickened bottle? I have not been. 3. Also, he doesn't seem to eat as many ounces of thickened formula. Should I be concerned? I kind of obsess over how much he eats because he had problems gaining weight the first few weeks, although lately it has been good. Should I not worry how much as long as he is gaining? He usually eats 3-4 oz every 3-4 hours, give or take a bit. Thanks !

I have been trying thickening with rice cereal, 1 tsp per ounce, and ds seems to be doing well with this. He doesn't seem to gulp and get gassy as much, and it seems to stay down better. My questions are these: 1. How do you prepare the thickened feedings? Can it be done ahead of time? I have been making the bottles, warming them, then adding the cereal right before feeding. 2. Can you re use a thickened bottle? I have not been. 3. Also, he doesn't seem to eat as many ounces of thickened formula. Should I be concerned? I kind of obsess over how much he eats because he had problems gaining weight the first few weeks, although lately it has been good. Should I not worry how much as long as he is gaining? He usually eats 3-4 oz every 3-4 hours, give or take a bit. Thanks !

I would not thicken ahead of time. Continue what you are doing with adding it before serving.
I would not re use a thickened bottle either, kinda like you going to a bowl of cereal two hours later:razzing:
He probably isn't taking in a smuch which is normal with a thickened feeding as they feel fuller sooner:)

HTH....Good Luck

how old is your baby......my dd eats 3-4 oz thickened with 1 tbsp/2 oz. every 3 hours and she is 6 1/2 months old.....somedays she likes to snack and only eat 1 or two ounces at a time so i do put it back in the fridge until shes hungry again then i just rewarm it if she doesnt eat it a second time around i throw it away.......but every one has different opinions on that.....she hasnt gotten sick from it yet

1. How do you prepare the thickened feedings? Can it be done ahead of time?

Ok... I use 1tbs/2oz and this is how I make my formula. I make up 16oz powdered formula and put it in the blender, I add 24 scoops (i use the formula scoop) and then I add some RTF (not to over flow the blender). I blend it for 45 seconds. Then I pour my mixture and whatever RTF thats left into my 64oz rubbermaid container, shake and put it in the fridge. So there, that answers both your questions - thats how I make it and yes you can make it ahead of time. I used to make it at each feeding and the bottles were always chunky and it was annoying to have to make them. But! Because of the wonderful ladies here I learned that you can blend it and keep the mixture in the fridge. You're only supposed to keep it in the fridge for 48 hours but sometimes mine ends up going 3 days and I have yet to have a problem with it. My daughter only eats about 15 ounces (on a good day).

2. Can you re use a thickened bottle? I have not been.
You should never reuse any bottle if a baby has drank from it. If it hasnt been used by baby yes, you can put it back in the fridge and use it later... at least I do. Especially when we pay so much for Hypo formula... I save what I can!


3. Also, he doesn't seem to eat as many ounces of thickened formula. Should I be concerned? Should I not worry how much as long as he is gaining? He usually eats 3-4 oz every 3-4 hours, give or take a bit.

I wouldnt stress out over it if he is gaining... and if you start blending it, it will be nice and smooth and he might eat more! :) Try it out... but really... my daughter has never eaten more than a 20oz high at one point and she has gained - thought her formula has been thickened since she was 1 month. Right now she is consistantly getting 12oz a day... sometimes a little less and sometimes a little more... but she also eats tablefood now too so I'm sure she's ok. Not sure what she weighs now though. :)

Good luck, I hope this helped!!! if you have any other questions, please let us know!!

I've always thickened right before the feeding, as I've noticed that if it sits for any length of time, it begins to separate. Lauren did well on thickened bottles. I wouldn't stress over the amt. either. The cereal is going to fill them up quicker.