(INCREASING CALORIES)
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What is MCT Oil |
| Purpose of additive |
| Additional information |
1. MCT Oil is a fat supplement that is easily absorbed into your baby’s intestine.
1. Some babies need extra calories to grow but cannot eat the volume needed to get those calories. We add MCT Oil to their feeding to increase the calories without greatly increasing the volume of the feeding.
2. Babies who often require this additive are those with heart problems, BPD (Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia), or serious nutritional problems due to prolonged illness.
3. MCT Oil, cereal and higher calorie formulas are some of the ways we can help your baby get the calories he needs for growth.
4. We add 0.4 cc of MCT oil to 1 ounce (30 cc) of 24-calorie premature formula to make the formula we feed the baby 27 calories per ounce.
5. MCT Oil is always added to the baby’s feeding, it is never given directly into the baby’s mouth.
6. Your baby will not need MCT Oil by the day of discharge. The baby will be eating regular formula (20 calorie per ounce) by this time.
1. Some babies develop greasy diarrhea with MCT Oil. You may notice this when you change your baby’s diaper.
2. Babies who have growth problems or need extra calorie supplements stay on the MCT Oil for various lengths of time. They will stay on the MCT Oil until they begin to have a steady weight gain.
Reviewed/Revised:
4/1998, 6/01, 2/03, 10/05, 8/07
