Hi Moms! :) Here's my issue-- I am still breastfeeding my 11-month-old son (only at night for the past few weeks now), but have stopped pumping and so I'm giving him formula during the day (so my weaning can be gradual by first ending the day sessions, etc) So, he's just fine with drinking formula, but my problem is that it seems SO LUMPY!! Well, not SO lumpy, but there are always lumps in the powder formula I prepare for him, no matter how much I shake the bottle. I've even tried taking a fork and mixing it in, but I'm sure that's not the correct way to make formula bottles.
So, formula-feeding moms- is this normal? Is it okay? And how do you mix up your formula bottles so there are no powder lumps??
THANKS!!
Ohmygosh! You ladies were totally right-- I haven't been using warm water. Using very cold filtered water in fact... Well, that makes alot of sense! Thanks so much everyone who responded! I will start using warm water and hopefully that will clear it up. We just have a month to go until regular cow's milk, but I'm glad I solved this minor problem now! Thanks again! :)
We used a chopstick...don't know why but it seemed to work SO much better than a fork, spoon or knife
I always used the hand mixer (sold at Babies R Us) ... so inexpensive. Works great, no lumps, after a year of making formula bottles - it still works great.
It literally only took like 5 seconds and the formula is all mixed... no lumps. Of course, I measured out tap water first, then added the formula -- then mixed.
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3754175
I've never had lumps in formula with all the different brands we've used, and we've used many over the years! One thing you can do is mix it in a pitcher and use a wisk, then pour it in bottles. But if he's 11 months old why is he using a bottle? If he can hold a bottle and tip it back to drink then he's more than ready for a cup (not a sippy). The traditional "sippy" that has no valve is the thing to be transitioning to next. He'll be switching to cow's milk soon anyway. Have you tried Walmart's brand of formula? It's much less expensive as well. Since you won't be using it much longer, how about the concentrated formula that you mix with water? If you're having lumps, I wonder if too much moisture has gotten into the can. Try the wisk idea in a pitcher. Just measure out how much he'll need in a 24 hour period and make that much ahead with a wisk and that should help.
K. B
mom to 5 including triplets
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Which formula are you using? I never had that problem with Enfamil or Similac. However when we switched to the Target brand, it was an issue. I was always able to shake them out. However, if you have a whisk or hand mixer, you could do that in a cup before you pour it in the bottle (doubt they would fit into the bottle).
That's my only suggestion, other than switching formula if you find it to be a really big problem.
Are you using warmer water? Are you putting water in the bottle first then adding the formula. If you put the formula in first and then add the water, it is for sure going to clump. I actually teach this in classes. Alway always water first and never cold water. Hope this helps.
mix it with hot water. Hot water absorbs more than cold water b/c the molecules are further apart.
I think your not using hot enough water , I always boiled the water first and put it in the bottle (to the amount of oz you are making) , leave it for 20 or so mins so it cools a little , then add the powder , put the top on and shake really well.
We used to blend a small pitcher each day with a hand mixer like you would use for milkshakes and then kept it in the fridge as it is good for 24 hours after mixing.
Hi there, we use a blender to mix ours most of the time. My son is in daycare so we pre-make the bottles for the day. We I do one at a time I don't have any problems with lumps. We use Similac.
Good luck!
use warm water. works everytime.
There's a formula pitcher made by Dr. Browns that works great but at 11 months you probably don't want to invest in one. Make sure you're mixing properly, water 1st then add the powder. Room temp usually works best, also make sure you're using a bottle that's large enough. My son topped out at 5 ozs but I used the larger 9 oz bottle because it allowed the powder to mix better with more room.
I always preferred the pre-mixed formula--NO lumps!
You could also use the liquid concentrated formula.
Of course its okay to use a fork or knife. They even sell little hand mixers.
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3754175
My first guess would be that the water is too cold. I always used room temperature bottled water or water from the tap that was medium warm. (right when its where you do the wrist check and its neither hot or cold)
M.
Are you using warm water? It mixes better.
No, there should not be any lumps. Lumps will clog the hole in the nipple. Before you mix the powder and water, the powder should be fine with no clumps. I wonder if your formula was exposed to moisture and is clumping prematurely in the can. We used Enfamil Premium and never had lumps. One thing you can try is to mix only a portion of the formula at a time. For example, an 11-month old needs 8 ozs of water and 4 scoops of Enfamil. Put in one scoop, shake well, then another scoop, shake well, until all 4 scoops are in and mixed will with NO LUMPS!
