Okay...since Mason's poo has been runny (and mom has been blasted one too many times :P), the GI is going to have me try thickening with some rice cereal here and there. So I will alternate Thick It with rice cereal and see how he does.

So questions.....

1. I just bought Gerber single grain rice cereal, is that fine?

2. Does rice cereal thicken up over time the way Thick It does?

3. What is a normal amount of cereal to add to make it pretty thick (necter, almost honey-consistency)

4. Do you make cereal thickened formula ahead of time and place in the fridge?

5. Is it grainy looking?

6. If I chose to, could cereal AND thick it be added and then placed in the fridge?

Thanks!!

Is Mason MSPI? If so, you might want to avoid Gerber cereals, as they have soy in them. Aim for Beechnut or other kinds without soy in them.

We honestly do not know. We started out thinking it was all allergy ot knowing what reflux was and he was on hypoallergenics before we ever saw the GI. I had allergies as an infant so he may as well. But then again, I never saw any difference in him between ANY of the formulas. In one month (after he hits the 3 month milestone) we're gonna switch him back to regluar cow's milk enfamil and see what he does.

But in the meantime, how do I make the bottles? lol Can cereal thickened be made ahead of time in the fridge?

Since he was so constipated before the Thick It and so runny on the Thick It...the ideal plan would probably be for me to mix them and use both to thicken each bottle. But I will have to figure out the right combination.

I'm just not sure if cereal can be refridgerated and also, does it thicken up over time like the Thick It does? And can I blend it all together in a blender?

P.S. Yipes...I just made a 7 ounce bottle and added 7 TBSP of rice cereal and shook it up. Waaaay to thin compared to howhis have been. Any suggestions? Should I mix the cereal WITH the Thick It?

I did thicken ahead of time for use throughout the day. I'd make up the formula, pour it into the bottles, then measure in the amount of cereal right into the bottles and shake. All you have to do is make sure you shake them well. It doesn't really thicken up more in the fridge, so you should be okay making it ahead of time.

Thanks! How much cereal do you add?

Back when we thickened, I added 1 Tablespoon for every two ounces, which made it just thick enough for Cady to keep it down.

Well I gave him that 7 ounce bottle with the 7 TBSP of rice. It wasn't thick enough so I added a TBSP of Thick It as well. He is SCREAMING his head off and now I feel soooo guilty. :( I don't know if 7 TBSP is just too much rice to start with or if he just can't tolerate it at all.

What about doing less cereal and more thick-it with the next bottle? If it seems that he has an upset tummy, what about trying a little Mylanta to see if it calms down a little.

Quote:

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

Ok... I use 1tbs/2oz (most of the time) 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 of a 32oz RTF bottle (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 into 3 days and I have yet to have a problem with it. My daughter only eats about 15 ounces (on a good day).

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

Here is something I answered someone elses post with... there are a lot of Thickening posts of you search the feeding forum.

I would also get Beechnut cereal and if you blend it, it will get a little thicker but not like the thick it. You can do 1tbs/1oz and see if it gets thicker... Right now K has needed her thicker so I have been doing about 1 1/2 cups/44oz (there are 16tbs in 1 cup)

Hope that helps!

I followed Michele's advice on thickening. I make it following the directions on the back of the formula can, 27 ounces of water, 1 cup formula and about 1 1/2 cups rice cereal. I blend it all up in the blender and poor into a pitcher and keep it in the fridge. It stays nice and smooth. Than I just pour and warm. Good luck! You just have to experiment and find the right combo for your baby.