I know I've seen posts before on blending rice cereal and formula. Can anyone tell me how they do it? I am having trouble with getting the formula/rice cereal through the #2 Dr. Brown nipple. We did make the holes bigger with a sewing needle about a month ago but now they seem to have stretched out and he is finishing a bottle in like 2 minutes. I bought new #2 nipples but they are getting clogged and I don't really want to make the holes bigger. Anyway I'll quit rambling but If anyone can tell me how they blend the formula that would be great! Connor is on Neocate thickened with 2 tbsp of rice cereal per 2oz of formula.

I don't have advice cause we BFed but I just wanted to say that I know you will get good advice on this one because I have read lots of posts about it :wink:

Dr. Brown makes nipples for cereal. They are Y nipples. I know you can get them at Babies R Us. That is what I use. I also use them for giving meds like Tylenol. I just hold on to the nipple and let her suck it out.

I'm not sure how much rice I use exactly. I sort of eye ball it. I think it's about 1 and 1/2 Tbsp in 4 ounces.

Penny

ditto what Penny said... they make special Y cut nipples for thickened feeds. We use the Playtex Ventaire bottle and they are wonderous. Lauren has had her bottles thickened for what seems like forever.

However, she's also been finishing a bottle in less than 2 minutes. I actually looked at the nipples last night and most of them have torn. So, she's getting it way too fast. Off to Walmart today to buy some new..

Here is how I blend...

I use the formula scoop to measure my rice cereal. Since Neocate comes in powder I'll tell you how I make that in the blender. I put in the water then scoop the formula and blend that for just about 3 or 4 seconds and get my desired amount of formula. Then I add my cereal which is 1 scoop to 3 ounces (lately - sometimes 1 to 2ounces) and then I blend that for about 30-45 seconds. It comes out nice and smooth and flows nicely through a Dr Browns level 3 nipple.

If I do have to mix it by hand, I have to use a Dr. Brown's Level Y because it get clogged too much and it's a pain in the butt.

When/If I do make my daughters "mixture" thinner I will use a Level 2 which works but takes her longer to drink. She usually finishes a bottle with a Level 3 in about 5-15 mins which I think is pretty normal isnt it? Depends on how much she eats and all that too.

Anyway, hope that helps...

I think I posted my method in another one of your topics. Let me know if I didn't and I'll fill you in. I just wanted to add that the Y-cuts have never worked for Noah. They flow too fast, and I don't think he could get the hang of making them work. He always sucked awkwardly and at a uneven pace and then would end up spitting and choking and crying. But, that could very well just be his problem. Connor may do better...

Frankie has a problem drinking through the Y-cut as well. I used Michele's advice and began blending the formula with the rice cereal. I am using Nutramegin...so I put two scoops of formual and two scoops of rice and puree for about 30 seconds. This easily flows through the Level 2, I found Level 3 too fast for him. It takes between 15-20 minutes to feed including burps.

The blender worked awesome, as well, I just came up with my method desperately trying to eliminate the mess and hassel. Either way should work for you, though. Let us know how Connon likes his "smooth" formula.

Hey guys thanks for the great advice! I made up a batch of blended formula and cereal and it flowed through the #2 nipple great! I'm so excited :D