My son is 3 months and 2 weeks old. He has acid reflux. He is on 3 different meds and has 10 tablespoons of rice cereal added to 4 ounces of formula. He is also weighing in at 13lb. and 9oz. I am scared he gaining too much weight at one time. I have recently talked to a friend of mine whose little girl has the same problem. She uses a product called ThickIt to thicken up her babys milk and juices. It has no flavor and will not make them gain weight. I was wanting to know if someone else has heard of the product and if someone else has used it. I was also wanting to know if anyone knows of anything else I could use to thicken the formula that they have used with success. THANK YOU and PLEASE SERIOUS ANSWERS ONLY!
2006-10-11 15:39:44 · 20 answers · asked by gatattoogal 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
The reason he has to thicken his formula is because of the choking from acid reflux. He does not have the projectile vomiting reflux he has the reflux that comes up just enough to be inhaled down into his lungs and he chokes. You can here the liquids in his lungs when this happens. He sounds like he is congested all the time. The doc says it is where is refluxing all the time. His upper GI showed that for every swalllow he take his liquids come up 4 to 5 times before he can get the second swallow down. I also have a friend of mine whose daughter is also handicaped and can not tolerate liquids to good and she uses it also for her liquids.
2006-10-11 15:51:49 · update #1
The formula that is for acid reflux is not thick enough and no I don't want to thicken his formula because my friend does. I am following everything his doctor has told me to do I was just wanting to know if anyone knew anything about it.
2006-10-11 15:55:13 · update #2
Bless your heart. First off, I'm sorry you and your baby are going through all this. I know it's probably not helping that you came on here for advice and have ended up having to defend yourself and your actions. Don't worry about it...you're done everything your doctor told you to do.
I'm a NICU nurse. As a whole, the others were right, dr's drill it in people's heads not to add cereal to the bottle, BUT that is a whole different situation (that's when people are trying to get their baby to sleep through the night or satisfy their appetite). I know that this is not the case for you. You are treating a medical condition. We do exactly the same thing in the nursery for acid reflux and sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. You are right to be concerned because if he keeps aspirating the formula into his lungs, he can get pneumonia *I know you probably know this*.
I tell you though, 10 Tablespoons to 4 oz of cereal is a LOT of cereal to milk ratio. How is he getting it out of the bottle? Is it TBS & not tsp?
I have heard of Thick-it and we have used it. We have sent kids home on it but usually it's the rice cereal. Bottom line for me is if what the doc has told you is not working, then you need to let him know. I wouldn't change him to thick-it or anything else without him knowing about it. Don't worry as much about the weight until you are sure that the reflux is under control (if he's sounding congested all the time and you can still tell he's refluxing, then I don't think it sounds like it's under control).
Sorry to go on and on. My heart just went out to you and I had to send you a message. Good Luck and your son is so lucky to have such a caring and concerned Mom!
2006-10-11 16:55:00 · answer #1 · answered by milldan65 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
No - follow the directions on the can. Why are you wanting to make it thicker? Baby will be getting too many calories and it will sit too hard in her tummy. If anything depending on the age of the child you could add a little rice cereal (4months and up), but even that isn't truly recommended bc it can also cause baby to get too many calories. If your only reason is the price of formula then go the the formula brand's website and sign up for coupons. They send samples and coupons all the time. Also your pedi might also have coupons and samples you can pick up from them at every visit. **edit- don't worry about other moms being high and mighty. We have all been there...baby crying constantly, running on no sleep and trying to still figure everything out. Don't let idiots on the computer offend you - they are the morons who should know better and that we are here to support each other as parents. Your baby is still little - maybe try a sling carrier to help soothe her. They like them bc the motion of us moving around mimics the movement of the womb. Also try swaddling if you haven't already - both work wonders at that age. You are a good parent to ask the questions before doing and trying to find a solution. Don't let anyone say otherwise...trust yourself. Good luck!!
2016-03-18 08:02:50 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
CHeck out a different kind of formula. I cannot remember the brand or what it is specifically called, but I know there are kinds that are made for babys with acid reflux. It is designed to be thicker.
The stuff you are talking about, then thick it could work too but you should ask a doctor first. I have not used it on myself but I have used it while working in a nursing home for older people who have these problems with choking. it does work really well and i think you could easily find it at a medical supply store.
2006-10-11 16:09:16 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Thickening Formula For Reflux
2016-11-08 02:08:27 · answer #4 · answered by mccumber 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A lot of nursing homes use a similar product to thicken up the residents' beverages, however they make formula that is made thicker.
2006-10-12 05:27:41 · answer #5 · answered by mystified_0ne 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If your son is already on meds for his reflux - why do you want to thicken the formula - just because your friend does? There is a formula out there that is meant for reflux - believe it's called Gentleease but not sure.
My daughter had reflex and was breastfed - hers was "silent" meaning it did not cause her paibn but it was basically just a laundry problem for me.
I know a lot of people tried puttnig their baby to sleep on a tilt - like in a swing or bouncer or a sleep positioner placed under the crib mattress - because I guess sleeping upright slightly maks the baby feel better - I never tried it but some people who I chatted with said it worked 4 them.
My doc and lactation consultant both advised to not put any cereal into the bottle as it will only clog the bottle and do nothing nutritionally for the baby and it's not good for the baby yet.
Unfortunately reflex sux and causes lots of laundry and some sleepless nignhts but it gets better - my daughtrer is almost 7 months and very rarely spits up anymore - stopped about 2 months ago.//
2006-10-11 15:51:14 · answer #6 · answered by Rae T 4 · 1⤊ 4⤋
girl i can tell u....... thicking up the formula is not really the best thing to do. my baby had lots of reflux too and spit up pretty much....but thats normal that babies spit up sometimes more or less....but dont add all that stuff to it cuz ur baby is going to get real big after a while..... some tips i can give u is....
specially if it is really bad
1.for the babybed they have a little funny lookin cushion. its not laying all flat in its crib but a little higher from the hips on...
2.when u give him the bottle then make breaks bout every 5min or so and burb him....
3.dont move him around too much few minutes before and after the feeding times
4.dont lay him all flat while feeding and dont feed him while he is in his babyseat and u are shopping...(u know how some parents do that)
these are some things i did or didnt do....to prevent this reflux.
2006-10-11 16:27:32 · answer #7 · answered by snoopy19_812004 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
They actually sell baby formula that is thicker for babies with reflux.
Enfamil A.R.™ LIPIL® Here is the link on it:
http://www.enfamil.com/products/formulas/index.html
I have heard of Thickit, but there is a specific measurement to give babies and where yours is so young, you may want to consult his doctor first. Good Luck.
2006-10-11 15:41:58 · answer #8 · answered by **KELLEY** 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
My friend 3 month old baby has the same problem the Dr. told her to start putting cereal or baby food in the bottle or just start feeding her baby food. If things don't go well with my friends baby she will have to have surgery. best of luck to you and I'm keep your little one in my prayers.
2006-10-11 17:28:20 · answer #9 · answered by Tee-Tee 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you want to put your baby to sleep in 20 seconds you must get the "Instant Baby Sleep" MP3 sound track. Here is their official web-site: http://www.instantbabysleep.net
The sound track gently produces energy over the full human hearing spectrum with an embedded pulse that gently eases the brain to the Alpha state well known for drowsiness and sleep induction.
2014-09-25 09:52:37 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋