Question About Powder Formula

I noticed the same problem when I tried formula, but I followed the directions perfectly and it obviously overflowed the bottle. I found that using a Tupperware shaker cup, not really sure what the proper name is, but it has plenty of room for making an 8oz bottle. Also don't use cold water, I found that warmer water helped it break up better. Hope this helps.
V.

I have my little one (9 months old) on the concentrated Similac Isomil (soy) and she had previously been on the powder. We had to switch because her WIC wouldn't cover the powder unless she wouldn't tolerate the concentrate. She loves it, and is really doing well. Good luck!

When my kids were little and I used bottle feed, I never would shake the bottle. I would try mixing it in a separate cup with a spoon and then pour it in the bottle. It might take a little more time but hopefully it would work for you.

I never had a problem with the powder formula, what I did was I always made sure I put the water in 1st and then the powder, I also always made it in something a little bit bigger, if I needed a 4 oz bottle, I would use an 8 oz bottle to shake it, if I need 8 oz, I would use a bigger container.
Good Luck!

Try mixing it up in a cup first, then pour it into the bottle.

J.,
Make a pitcher of formula. Use less water and mix with a whisk. Once there are no more lumps, add the remaining water. Its very difficult to mix it in a bottle and get out all the lumbps. I know of others that have suggested the Pampered Chef pitcher. The whisk worked well for me.

i used similac with both of my boys and i used to put the water in the bottle and then put the formula in and shake it up and then take the nipple or lid back off the bottle and put it in the microwave for 20 sec and then shake it up again and it always seemed to work.

Shake hard and make sure there is plenty of room in the bottle to mix. I found with my little upset tummy boy distilled water helped. I also recomend Target or Walmart brand. They are the same thing and cost so much less.

A couple of things that worked for me i would do one scoop at a time then shake it. then i also used a chopstick (sounds silly i know) to mix it up b/c it cuts down on bubbles made from shaking and it is small enough to fit through the hole in the top.good luck!

I mix a days worth of bottles in a martini shaker every morning. It cuts down on the bubbles and clumping. I'm also using Enfamil Soy formula which might make a difference too.

With our 3rd son we had to use a formula that was so thick and did not disolve well and it left a lot of clumps. I know it sounds lazy but I found this formula mixer (hand held). You make a bottle the way you always do and instead of shaking the bottle you just stick the mixer in the bottle and mix. I believe I got it at Babies R Us and I think that it was made by Prince Lionheart. It's battery opperated and it's thin enough that it is easy to take with you wherever you go. I hope this helps. It worked for me in my time of need and got rid of the clumps and I avoided the clumps of formula in the nipple to. I also realize too that the warmer your water is the easier it is for the formula to dissolve. Good Luck!

Try similac advance it worked great, it dissolves in no time with no clumps

I'm sure you are doing this already, but this is what I found works for me: Make sure you add the water to the bottle first, and warm water works better. Don't pack the scoop, just knock it against the can to level it, after you put the nipple on the bottle, give it a swirl so none of the powder gets stuck up in the nipple then give it a good shake. Not only is powder cheaper, but better for baby; less preservatives. Good Luck!

Hi J.,

I have had great success with making a large batch of formula in a pitcher and storing it in the fridge. It is more convienant than having to make one bottle at a time and no more lumps. Good luck.
S.

J.,

I used powder formula for my younger son. I would use a small whisk or a fork to mix the formula. I would mix it in a seperate container and then pour it into his bottle. This would alleviate a lot of air bubbles too.

I used Nestle Goodstart. It was the easiest on my son's stomach. He has reflux really bad and constantly spit up. I used to make a day's worth of bottles in the blender. Then cap them and keep them in the fridge. It saved time and mixed the powder alot better.

try mixing it in warmer water, maybe mix a couple of ounces first in warm water then add the cooler water in. you might want to change him to isomil soy formula in the powder form to see if that works better for him.the milk base products i have heard cause alot of ear infections in children. my children and my grandchildren all were on the soy formula.

Hi J.! I have two boys, 7 and 3, and I used to have the same problem. Try allowing all the powder to settle to the bottom of the bottle before putting the lid on and shaking it up. I used to let it set for about one minute. Also make sure the water is lukewarm. The powder formula mixes better in warm water.

I also use similac. I put warm water in the bottle first then add the formula. I only get clumps if the water is colder. Hope this helps.

i tried my daughter on similac and it gave her awful gas. when i stopped nursing and she was put on WIC, we had to switch her to nestle carnation goodstart supreme dha/ara. it was great, no gas, no spit up, no fuss, no clumps, etc. also it's a lot cheaper that other brands. plus it's broken down more so it's gentle on teh tummy, and the powder seems finer so it dissolves better.

I had the same problem with the powder formula. Try warming up the water before you add the powder and you should be good to go. This worked for me. Good Luck!

The only thing I can think to tell you is to use warmer water. The colder the water the harder it is to dissolve. Or maybe your baby is having trouble with the water you are using and not the formula. Only a suggestion.

I also used Similac powder formula for my daughter. I would mix enough for a days worth of bottles in a plastic picture with my whisk and pour it into the bottles. I could get rid of the clumps of powder and always had a few bottles ready. Hope that helps. J. M

I started with Similac and found that it clumped more, so on the advice of a friend I tried Enfamil. Significantly less clumping!

I fill the bottle with water, add the powder, put on a solid cap (not the nipple), then roll the bottle back and forth vigorously between my hands (kinda like rubbing your palms together), and finally shake it up. I found the rolling back and forth really helped the powder swirl throughout the bottle, thus avoiding the clumpage.

I found making it in a big container with a wisk helps a lot too and then pour it into the bottles. I use a 4 cup pyrex measuring bowl to make formula. It has a nice pour spout. They even come with lids so you can store them in the refrigerator if you want.

Hi J.. That is really odd. I use the Similac powder formula and have never had that problem. Do you shake it with the nipple on the bottle? If you do, maybe you should try shaking it in something else first that has a top and really shake the heck out of it. I really don't know what else it could be. Sorry. = (

My brother and sister-in-law had the same problem, so they started putting a couple bottles worth in the blender and doing it that way. Hopefully that will work (:

Hello. I have found that if you put the water in first, then dump the formula in slowly it will not clump as much.

I used powder and I know what you mean. After a while I started making a pitcher each night for the following day, using boiling water. It seemed to dissolve better with boiling water. It was kind of a pain but at least it was just once a day and all the bottles where ready for the next day, but it was worth it to keep the cost down.

I am a mom of a 18month boy. I had the same problem too at first. I solved this problem by adding the water first and than the powder. Also, I add a bit more water than powder. This may be more tolerable for your baby.

It sounds like you have gotten some good responses but I will offer what i do. i have a 10 month old on powder and I find that if the water is too cold or too hot even that it lumps. I measure my water in the bottle first and then add the powder to room temp water and shake vigoursly (spelling?) i still from time to time get lumps and just try to shake a little extra, i havent found a difference with up and down vs. side to side shaking.

good luck with the transition!

Hi J.,
Our first child seemed to have a lot of gas issues when we used Similac and Enfamil. Like you said there was always clumping and a lot of bubbles. We switched to Parents Choice from Walmart and we never had either issue again. Its got all the same ingredients and is a whole lot cheaper too ( a big added bonus!

Hi J.,

When my kids were on formula we used the powder. I found that if I made a pitcher full at a time we didn't have any clumping. Pampered Chef has a quick stir pitcher. I would then just put the pitcher back in the fridge and warm when it was time for the next bottle.

Hope this helps.
D.

Hi J., My daughter had the same problem with powdered formula, but this helped: Make it in a pitcher instead of a bottle and use warm water. Give it plenty of time to dissolve and mix thoroughly... it makes more so you don't have to shake bottles, and works just like the pre-mixed stuff.

Hi J.,

I used Similac with all three of my kiddos. I had that problem every now and then. Make sure you are mixing it with warm water, shake it good, and I always added a drop (not a dropper) of milicon to get rid of all th bubbles, helped with the gas. hope this helps! L.

I used to put the water in first then slowly add the powder. It helps to have hotter water. You can always let the bottle cool down or run the bottle under cold water to cool it faster. But the hotter the water, the better it dissolves.

If that doesn't work...Try the blender. My theory...if it works for a protein shake it should work for formula!

I would make the night time formula before putting baby to bed and keep it in the fridge so you can keep night time feeding as quiet as possible.

Hi! I have three kids, I have been through 18 different formulas (literally)! The best one I have found beleive it or not is Carnation Good Start. It is inexspensive too! Hope I helped! L.

I have had the same problem, and I have learned that I one mix all the bottles ahead of time, I boil the water that I put into the bottles and while it is still hot I mix in the powder(*it helps it to dissolve, then I shake it best as I can and put it in the fridge and just let it sit(*it seems letting it sit helps the water to dissolve the clumps*), when i get it out to give the baby a bottle, I shake it again and viola no clumps. Also my son had the same problem not tolerating the powder formula and only liking the ready made which is so expensive! With the advice from a nutritionist and doctor, I switched him to enfamil gentelese formula, it is only in powder and he is great with it, there is alot less clumping too.