You’ve likely faced many challenges as a new mom in your early days of parenthood.
You’ve had to adjust to a new way of life, cope with sleepless nights, diaper changes, and learn how to correctly prepare a bottle if you’re formula feeding.
Despite your attempts, you can’t manage to make a bottle of formula milk without clumps.
Many parents get concerned about clumpy formula milk. You may start to wonder if you’re doing something wrong and if the clumps will harm your baby.
I’ll go through the reasons why formula milk clumps and 10 techniques to keep your baby’s formula from turning lumpy in this post.
Why Does Baby Formula Clump Up?
Several factors can cause clumpy formula milk. Some are related to the way the formula is prepared while other factors have to do with the type of formula itself.
Let’s have a quick look at the reasons why formula can be clumpy.
1- The Water Temperature
Formula can become clumpy if prepared with water that is either too hot or too cold.
Boiling water causes the formula to clump. This is one of the reasons why it is recommended for you to wait 30 minutes after boiling water in a kettle before preparing the formula.
The same also goes for water that is too cool and cold. When formula is mixed with cold water it becomes lumpy.
Always follow the instructions on the formula pack when preparing formula.
2- Anti-Reflux Formula
Anti-reflux formula is more difficult to dissolve. Some anti-reflux formula makers suggest preparing it at lower temperatures than usual to avoid clumpy formula milk.
Even though anti-reflux formula is sold in pharmacies and supermarkets, it’s advised that you only use it if a doctor recommends it.
SEE ALSO: WHY WAIT 30 MINUTES BEFORE MAKING FORMULA?
3- Rice Starch Formula
According to Similac, formula that contains rice starch mixes a little more slowly with water. In a nutshell, it doesn’t mix well. This gives the formula a grainy appearance.
So, if your rice starch formula is clumpy, know that it’s not your way of preparation that’s the issue, but the formula itself.
4- Follow on Formula
Follow on formula refers to a formula that is usually given from six months old.
They contain more casein protein. Casein digests slower, keeping babies full for longer.
Some parents have complained that follow-on-formula tends to clump when mixed.
This may be because they are usually less processed than the stage 1 formula.
According to UNICEF, you don’t need to give your baby follow-on-formula because there is no published evidence that using a follow–on formula provides any nutritional or health benefits to infants over using stage1 baby formula.
5- Making Formula in a Hurry
Another common cause of clumps in your baby’s formula is hurried formula preparation.
If you’re in a hurry to get a bottle ready for your hungry baby, you may not properly mix the formula and water.
This may produce yellow chunks with formula residue in the bottle.
6- Incorrectly Mixing the Formula
When we do not use the correct amount of water when mixing formula milk, lumps appear.
It’s essential to use the correct amount of water and thoroughly mix the formula milk.
If you don’t do it right, the formula milk won’t mix well, will form lumps, clog the bottle teat and your baby won’t get all the nutrients he needs to thrive.
Is Clumpy Formula Bad?
Clumpy formula milk may be bad for your baby depending on the cause.
First, if your baby’s formula is clumpy due to an improper mix of too much formula/not enough water, your baby may become ill.
Giving your infant concentrated formula once or twice may be fine (we’ve all done it). But doing so regularly can cause major difficulties in the future.
Mixing formula incorrectly disturbs the electrolyte balance leading to serious neurological consequences like dehydration, kidney issues, brain damage and seizures.
To avoid preparing concentrated formula, you need to follow the guidelines given on the back of the formula container strictly.
Because formula scoop sizes vary slightly by brand.
Secondly, preparing formula with extremely hot boiling water can kill the nutrients in the milk.
Water-soluble vitamins like vitamin C, folate, thiamin and pantothenic acids are most likely to be destroyed at such high temperatures.
This can cause significant risk over a prolonged period especially if your baby is solely fed with formula milk.
The resulting nutrient deficiency can result in illness or even death.
10 Ways to Get Lumps Out Of Formula
If, despite your best efforts, you still can’t seem to prepare clump-free formula, here are some tried-and-true tips and tricks from moms to help you get rid of the yellow chunks in your baby’s milk.
1- Use A Formula Mixing Pitcher
Formula Mixing Pitcher makes making baby formula easy.
The pitcher allows you to measure and mix formula with ease, quickly, and without the clumps associated with the use of conventional measuring scoops and bottles.
This particular formula mixing pitcher is highly recommended by many formula feeding moms.
It helps in the incorporation of the formula mixture and prevents clumps from forming at the base.
It’s particularly helpful for mixing a large batch of formula at a time.
2- Use Mini Formula Mixers
Formula Mixers are designed to blend formula inside the baby bottle to achieve a smooth consistency with no lumps.
They are a great alternative to the formula mixing pitcher if you’d rather not make a large batch of formula at once!
Check this one out here.
3- Use A Fork Or Knife To Mix The Formula
By stirring with a fork or knife, clumpy formula milk can easily dissolve in water.
This is a better option than vigorously shaking your baby’s bottle to remove lumps, as bottle shaking can induce gas bubbles, which can lead to colic.
4- Swirl The Formula
To remove clumps from your baby’s bottle, gently swirl it instead of shaking it.
You might find that swirling takes a little longer.
So, when preparing a feed for your hungry baby, take that extra time into consideration.
5– Use Baby Formula Makers
Formula makers are devices designed to safely mix formula powder with water at once.
This can be handy in busy households. Baby formula makers usually make formula with no clumps.
When you stop and think about it, actually mixing powder and water together every time you make a bottle takes a really long time.
That’s because you have to measure out the right amount of water.
Then, you have to add formula powder and stir for several minutes (until the powder is dissolved).
Then, make sure the milk is cool enough, before giving your baby.
A formula maker can save you a lot of time.
The best baby formula makers in the market are the
- Baby Brezza Formula Pro Advanced Dispenser Machine
- BabyEXO Formula Dispenser Machine
- LivingEZ Smart Formula Pro.
6- Milk Frothers
Milk foamers, also called milk frothers, are a type of handheld electronic appliance used to add foam to milk-based drinks such as lattes and cappuccinos.
They can also be used to create eggnog, hot chocolate and other desserts.
A milk frother functions similarly to a blender in that it prevents any formula powder residue from remaining in the bottle.
7- Protein Shaker Bottles
A protein shaker bottle is a container designed specifically for storing and serving protein shakes.
The bottles come in various sizes and shapes and are usually filled with powder or liquid protein.
Every shaker bottle has a mixing mechanism that aids in the mixing of protein powder with liquid and the breaking up of lumps, resulting in a smooth drink.
This works well for formula too.
Plus, if you already own one, it’s less expensive than purchasing a formula pitcher. It’s also great for feeding on the go.
8- Use Blender Balls
Blender balls are used to blend food into smoothies or drinks without lumps.
The blender ball is usually placed inside the container where the liquid is being blended.
Blender balls are made from stainless steel and plastic. They come in various sizes and shapes.
Some are designed to fit specific containers. Others are universal and can be used in any type of container.
Pour in your formula and water, then shake with the blender ball.
The blender ball whips around inside the bottle, blending formula milk to a smooth consistency.
9- Gradually Add Water
Separately measure your water and pour roughly one-third to half of it into the powder.
Swirl or shake to dissolve, then pour in the remaining water and mix once more.
10- Read New Instructions When Changing Formula
If you switch formulas, double-check the instructions to make sure the water to powder ratio isn’t different from the previous one.
Conclusion
Clumpy formula milk can be a source of worry for any parent.
It’s important to figure out what’s causing the clumps and how to get rid of them as quickly as possible.
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Use any of the preferred methods above to remove clumps from your baby’s formula as needed.