The Emily Center
How to Make Fluid Half-Nectar Thick
Procedure/Treatment/Home Care
Si usted desea esta información en español,
por favor pídasela a su enfermero o doctor.
#1166
Name of Child: ______________________________ Date: _________________
How to Make a Fluid Half-Nectar Thick
Why make fluid thicker?
Thick liquids move slower in the mouth, and take longer to swallow. In some cases,
think liquids are safer to swallow. Ask your doctor or speech pathologist if a thicker
liquid can help your child.
You may have been given a Letter of Medical Necessity. Give this letter to doctor to
give to your health insurance company. Your child’s doctor may also write an order
for thickener.
p Begin giving your child this thickener right away
p Talk to your child’s doctor before using this thickener
Half - Nectar Thick liquid
Use for formula, milk, juice, water, and all other fluids
Simply Thick Nectar Gel
1. Put 8 ounces of fluid in a container with a lid
2. Add 1 pack Simply Thick Nectar gel. Squeeze all the gel out of the packet.
3. Put on the lid.
4. Shake hard for 30 seconds, until small bubbles are everywhere in the fluid.
If you see clumps of gel, shake some more. Do not mix with a spoon or fork.
© 2007, 2010, 2011, Phoenix Children’s Hospital
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Thicken Up or Thick It thickening powder
1. Put 8 ounces of fluid in a container with a lid
2. Add 1 tablespoon of powder.
3. Put on the lid.
4. Shake hard for 10 seconds.
5. Have your child drink it right away. If you wait too long, it will get too thick.
Baby Cereal (rice, oatmeal, barley)
1. Put fluid in a container with a lid
2. Add 1 teaspoon of cereal for every ounce of liquid.
3. Put on the lid.
4. Shake hard for 10 seconds.
5. Have your child drink it right away. If you wait too long, it will get too thin.
How long will my child need thickened fluid?
Talk to your doctor or speech pathologist to find out how long your child needs
thickened fluids. Over time, how thick the fluid needs to be may change. Some
children need thicker fluids only when they are sick, and can take thinner fluids
when they get better. Other children may need thickened fluids for a longer time.
Now that you’ve read this:
p Tell your therapist, nurse, doctor, or registered dietitian what you will use to thicken liquids and how you will use it. (Check when done.)
If you have any questions or concerns,
p call Inpatient Speech Department at 602-546-1172
p call ______________________
© 2007, 2010, 2011, Phoenix Children’s Hospital
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If you want to know more about child health and illness,
visit our library at The Emily Center at Phoenix Children’s Hospital
1919 East Thomas Road
Phoenix, AZ 85016
602-546-1400
888-908-5437
www.phoenixchildrens.com
Disclaimer
The information provided at this site is intended to be general information, and is provided for educational purposes only. It is
not intended to take the place of examination, treatment, or consultation with a physician. Phoenix Children’s Hospital urges
you to contact your physician with any questions you may have about a medical condition.
Thursday, December 29, 2011 • DRAFT to family review
#1166 • Written by Speech Pathology Department at Phoenix Children’s Hospital
© 2007, 2010, 2011, Phoenix Children’s Hospital
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The Emily Center
How to Make Fluid Half-Nectar Thick
Procedure/Treatment/Home Care
Si usted desea esta información en español,
por favor pídasela a su enfermero o doctor.
Name of Health Care Provider: _______________________________ Number: 1166
For office use: Date returned: ____________ p db p nb
Family Review of Handout
Health care providers: Please teach families with this handout.
Families: Please let us know what you think of this handout.
Would you say this handout is hard to read? p Yes p No
easy to read? p Yes p No
Please circle the parts of the handout that were hard to understand.
Would you say this handout is interesting to read?
p Yes p No
p Yes p No
If yes, what?
After reading this handout, do you have any
questions about the subject?
p No
Why or why not?
Would you do anything differently after reading
this handout?
p Yes If yes, what?
© 2007, 2010, 2011, Phoenix Children’s Hospital
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Is there anything you don’t like about the drawings?
p Yes If yes, what?
What changes would you make in this handout to make it better or
easier to understand?
Please return your review of this handout to your nurse or doctor
or send it to the address below.
Fran London, MS, RN
Health Education Specialist
The Emily Center
Phoenix Children’s Hospital
1919 East Thomas Road
Phoenix, AZ 85016-7710
602-546-1395
[email protected]
Thank you for helping us!
© 2007, 2010, 2011, Phoenix Children’s Hospital
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p No