Different Formula Consistencies and How to Warm Them
Every baby is unique and special in its own way, which means they each need to be fed differently! Some babies do great with breastmilk, others need a specific kind of formula. It's important that as a parent, you have an easy way to warm up your baby's formula or breastmilk on the go. But first, you need to understand the difference between formulas and their thickness and consistency.
Formula Thickness
Powdered/Non-Sensitive Formula
A typical powdered formula mixed with water tends to be the thinnest of all formulas. When we say typical, we mean formula created without sensitivities or allergies in mind. Almost all portable bottle warmers can warm up typical formula, but our smart Keddle has 5 temperature sensors to make sure the entire bottle is at the right temperature.
Specialty Formulas
Specialty powdered formulas, like those created with allergies in mind, or specialized formulas for babies with colic, tend to be thicker. It's thicker to help reflux babies keep the formula down. Due to its thickened consistency, it's less likely to wash back up in the form of spit-up.
Pre-Made Formulas
Many manufacturers sell pre-made or pre-mixed formulas. These tend to be thicker than most powdered formulas, but are very convenient for parents who are often on the go.
The concern with thicker formulas is warming. Most portable bottle warmers cannot accurately warm thicker formulas to the right temperature for the baby. An even bigger concern is that parents can't predict what kind of formula their baby will need before birth. They often purchase or register for a typical bottle warmer without foreseeing the need for thicker formulas.
Get the Right Portable Bottle Warmer the First Time
Our smart, portable bottle warmer, the Keddle, can warm thick and thin baby formulas. This is because it has 5 temperature sensors that measure the temperature from the top to the bottom of the bottle. It can adjust the heat applied to the formula inside the bottle warmer to ensure that the thicker formula is evenly warmed.
The issue with typical portable bottle warmers is they only have 1 temperature sensor, and it's often located near the heaters. This is an issue because thicker formulas have a harder time 'transferring heat' compared to thinner formulas or even compared to water. The single sensor gives inaccurate readings because it thinks that the formula has reached the right temperature because it's only measuring in 1 spot, and that spot is right next to the heaters. In actuality, the liquid farthest from the heater is the most important spot to be measured.
Don't waste time, money, or stress by worrying if you need to change your bottle warmer based on your baby's eating needs. Get the right portable bottle warmer the first time, and make sure your baby is getting perfectly warmed bottles every time.