Preparing Gelmix-Thickened Feedings for Daycare

Sending Gelmix-thickened feedings to daycare may require a little planning because daycare policies and bottle-preparation capabilities vary. Whenever possible, establish a routine at home before providing instructions to daycare.

Start by asking your daycare

Before choosing a preparation method, ask:

Will staff prepare or mix bottles?
Can bottles be stored in a refrigerator?
Can staff warm bottles, and how?
Can bottles be served cold?
What labeling or written feeding instructions are required?

Because many daycare facilities do not prepare bottles, the simplest option is usually to prepare and portion completed Gelmix-thickened bottles at home. Daycare only needs to keep the bottles refrigerated and serve them cold or gently warmed according to the child’s feeding plan.

Is your child using Gelmix for dysphagia or spit-ups?

Preparation is generally simpler when Gelmix is being used for spit-ups. Prepare bottles according to the Gelmix label and your child’s healthcare provider’s guidance, then provide daycare with clear storage and serving instructions.

If Gelmix is prescribed for dysphagia, maintaining the prescribed IDDSI consistency is important. The daycare routine—including the preparation method and serving temperature—should be established with your child’s feeding therapist before starting.

Can Gelmix-thickened formula be prepared in advance?

Yes. When permitted by the formula manufacturer, prepared formula may be thickened with Gelmix and refrigerated for up to 24 hours.

Prepare the formula exactly as directed. Add Gelmix to warmed formula, according to the appropriate Gelmix recipe, mix thoroughly, and refrigerate immediately.

Follow the shorter storage time if the formula manufacturer or your child’s healthcare provider provides different instructions.

Can Gelmix-thickened breast milk be prepared in advance?

Freshly expressed breast milk may be thickened with Gelmix and refrigerated for up to 24 hours.

Follow the appropriate Gelmix recipe, mix thoroughly, and refrigerate the milk immediately after adding Gelmix. This advance preparation method is intended for freshly expressed breast milk that has not already been refrigerated.

For complete preparation, freezing, thawing, warming, and storage instructions, refer to our advance preparation guidance.

Can I prepare Gelmix-thickened water and have daycare add formula?

Yes, if the daycare is willing to prepare bottles and the method follows the powdered formula manufacturer’s instructions.

Prepare and premeasure the thickened water at home and store it in a clean, sealed container at room temperature for up to 24 hours. At feeding time, daycare must add the exact amount of formula powder required for the premeasured water and mix thoroughly.

Do not add extra water or change the formula’s water-to-powder ratio.

If thickening for dysphagia, keep in mind that adding formula powder and changing the serving temperature can affect the final thickness. The completed formula—not the plain thickened water—should be used when confirming the prescribed IDDSI consistency.

Should bottles be served cold or warmed?

Gelmix-thickened feedings may be served cold or gently warmed. However, they will usually be thicker when served cold.

Ask daycare whether bottles will be served cold or warmed and confirm how staff warm bottles. Never microwave breast milk, formula, or Gelmix-thickened water.

If thickening for dysphagia, test the completed feeding using the same preparation method, storage time, and serving temperature that daycare will use. When possible, review the routine with daycare staff and perform an IDDSI Flow Test together before the child starts.

Does daycare need to perform an IDDSI Flow Test on every bottle?

Not necessarily.

Before the child starts daycare, establish a preparation and serving routine that consistently produces the prescribed thickness. This may include testing a sample bottle with daycare staff using their usual refrigeration and warming process.

Once the routine is established, consistency in preparation, storage, and serving temperature is generally more practical than asking staff to test every bottle. Follow the child’s feeding therapist or healthcare provider’s instructions if routine testing is specifically required.

IDDSI testing is relevant when Gelmix is being used to achieve a prescribed consistency for dysphagia. It is not typically necessary when Gelmix is being used according to label directions for spit-ups.

Tips for a consistent daycare routine

Prepare and test the daycare routine at home first.
Send individually portioned and clearly labeled bottles whenever possible.
Use the same formula, Gelmix recipe, bottle, nipple, storage time, and serving temperature each day.
Provide simple written instructions approved by the child’s feeding therapist or healthcare provider.
Do not add extra water, formula powder, or Gelmix at daycare unless specifically included in the feeding plan.
Keep prepared breast milk and formula refrigerated during storage and transportation.
Never microwave breast milk, formula, or Gelmix-thickened water.
Discard any breast milk or formula remaining in the bottle one hour after feeding begins.

What should be included in the written feeding plan?

For children with dysphagia, the written feeding plan should include:

The prescribed IDDSI consistency or Flow Test range
Whether bottles should be served cold or warmed
How bottles should be warmed
Any mixing or remixing instructions
The bottle and nipple to use
Storage and discard times
What staff should do if a feeding appears thinner or thicker than expected
Who staff should contact with feeding questions

The child’s feeding therapist or healthcare provider should review the final plan before it is implemented at daycare.

For formula-specific Gelmix recipes, visit gelmix.com/recipes.

For complete advance preparation guidance for breast milk, formula, and plain water, visit gelmix.com/advanceprep.