Mixing thick formulas like Omneo Comfort

[tribpot]

Hi there,

I started ds on Omneo Comfort last week after using Aptamil since he was born (now 14 weeks). I also use Infant Gaviscon for his reflux/windiness, so the resultant formula is very thick. I'm back on the Avent bottles just now so I can use a multiflow teat, but dh has doctored some of the Dr Brown teats to be more multiflow-y until we get out to Mothercare today to buy the Y-cut ones, which seem to be the Dr Brown equivalent.

Anyway, the problem is mixing the formula up properly so there are no lumps. Even with very hot water and vigorous shaking it still isn't getting completely smooth, and this causes problems with the complicated internal workings of the Dr Browns bottles.

Any tips gratefully received. Thanks!

I only used omneo for a little bit, but the thought of giving it to a reflux baby doesn't sound good - its so thick I can see it doing more harm than good

I never had any mixing problems, but it was 2 years ago now so the formula might have changed a bit.

Sorry - that came out all accusing

Hi flamebat, I switched him at teabelly's suggestion, so I blame her entirely Actually it's because he is very windy as well, and I had tried Colief in the Aptamil with some success (to reduce the lactose) but it's such a fiddle to do, making sure you put it in 4 hours before the feed, etc., than I thought Omneo might be a simpler way of achieving the same thing.

Why do you feel a thicker formula could be counterproductive for a refluxy baby? I know various people are using SMA Staydown, which I assume is more or less the same thing?

It wasn't so much thinking of it making the reflux worse, more a case of it being much rougher on the baby if it brings it up (does that make sense?) - like the difference of being sick after water, and after a macdonalds milkshake.

We used a thickener called Thick n Easy in regualr formula or ebm. Apparently it is regualrly used in SCBU's. It works like cornflour so you can make it as thick as you need. Also used the Avent variable teats.

Thanks - it's really the fact that Omneo is lower in lactose that's my rationale, ds has less trapped wind with it (although not, I have to say, less wind over all) - not sure it really has much more effect than Dentinox for that, though.

Whisk it with a fork?

I use Staydown which you have to make with cold water, and not shake at all (just roll the bottle). I assume the instructions for Omneo are different!

Are you supposed to use Gaviscon and Omneo Comfort together?

Thanks fruitful, I was thinking about using one of his weaning spoons (not that he's weaning yet, I should add). Yes, Omneo is meant to be made with pretty hot water.

As to whether to use with Gaviscon or not, I know what you mean, but based on his reaction when I ran out last week, he definitely still needs the Gaviscon. I'm almost tempted to go back to Aptamil and the palaver of Colief, although we've forked out for a whole bunch of Y-cut teats to accommodate the very thick nature of Omneo + Gaviscon.

Will check in on the Gaviscon issue with my friend who's a paediatrician and also had a very refluxy baby. Hers ended up on the Gaviscon for 10 months.

Just found this thread with interest. My dd is on Omneo Comfort for tummy pains and wind (possible lactose sensitive). I use MAM teats with it and it seems to go down pretty well. I don't have any problems with lumpiness but I read that it should be made with hot water - I think I've gone wrong as I pour freshly boiled water in a bottle to cool then put in the fridge and add the milk when I need the bottle before heating it all up. Should I be adding the milk to the hot water (even though some bottles are for the next day?). I assume if I were to start using Colief I would have to prep the bottles in advance anyhow?