Thickening tube feedings???

[Anonymous]

Ok I thicken Cassies bottle with rice cereal. 2 TSP per ounce. Well I let her take what she wants by bottle then I have to tube feed her the rest. Well the thickened one is too thick for the tube and it wont go down……?????? What to do? I usually have to throw it away and make some more that is not thick for the tube feed. I hate wasting so much formula though. The thing is she wont take it by bottle unless it’s thickened and she aspirates!! Ahhh help!!

btw, her tube is a 6 french. Think that might be too small???

[Anonymous]

We thickened at one point too, but it was breastmilk and that doesn’t get nearly as thick as thickened formula so it always went down okay. Maybe you could try just thickening what you think she might take by mouth (like an ounce at a time or something) then what she doesn’t drink it you can pour it in with the rest of her unthickened formula…

[Anonymous]

Good idea! Thanks. Ya she usually takes about 2 ounces but needs 3 and a half.

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