Cow & Gate Instant Carobel 135g

A carob bean gum thickener for milk feeds

Instant Carobel is a powder made with carob bean gum and maltodextrin. Added to infant milk it thickens the feed; mixed with cooled boiled water it forms a gel that can be given by spoon before and during a breastfeed. It starts to thicken in 3 to 4 minutes and goes on thickening for up to 15 minutes, so it is added a scoop at a time.

From Cow & Gate, for use with your healthcare professional's advice

Instant Carobel is made by Nutricia, the company behind Cow & Gate and Aptamil. It is suitable for full-term babies, children and adults, but not recommended for premature or low birthweight babies. Use it only if a GP, paediatrician or health visitor has advised it, alongside the baby's usual formula or breast milk.

Key features of Cow & Gate Instant Carobel:

• Carob bean gum – the thickening ingredient
• Two ways to use – mixed into milk feeds, or as a spoon-fed gel for breastfed babies
• Thickens in 3 to 4 minutes – add more only after this time
• Measuring scoop included – each level scoop is 1.7g
• 135g carton – use within four weeks of opening

Only use under medical supervision, and follow the preparation instructions carefully. Always use the scoop provided.

Bottle-fed babies

1. Prepare the infant milk as directed on its pack.
2. Add Instant Carobel as shown in the feeding guide on the pack.
3. Shake well for 30 to 60 seconds.
4. Leave for 3 to 4 minutes to thicken, then shake again.
5. Feed immediately.

Thickening continues for 4 to 15 minutes after mixing, so add one scoop at a time, stir well and allow it to thicken before adding more. Do not heat in a microwave, as hot spots can scald.

Breastfed babies

1. Add 3 level scoops to 60ml (2 fl oz) of cooled, freshly boiled water to make a gel.
2. Stir well and leave to thicken for 3 to 4 minutes.
3. Stir again and feed immediately in small quantities by spoon, before and during the milk feed.

Throw away any unused made-up gel immediately.

Food for special medical purposes. Use only under medical supervision. Not recommended for premature or low birthweight babies. Not suitable as a sole source of nutrition. For enteral use only. Thickened feeds are not usually helpful in obstructive lesions such as pyloric stenosis, or in gastroenteritis. A minority of babies may pass frequent loose stools: stop using Carobel until stools return to normal, then reintroduce it gradually. In galactosaemic infants, red cell galactose-1-phosphate levels should be monitored when Carobel is introduced. Stop use and seek advice if an allergic reaction occurs. Supervise babies at all times when feeding. Clean your baby's teeth regularly, especially before bedtime. Store in a cool, dry place but do not refrigerate.

Maltodextrin, Carob bean gum, Calcium carbonate, Iron sulphate, Zinc sulphate.