The St. Louis Children's Hospital states that there are very few medical reasons to switch to soy formulas. Unless your baby has been diagnosed with a milk-protein allergy, galactosemia or is lactose-intolerant, then there is no reason to use anything but a cow's milk formula. Changing from one brand of cow's milk formula to another may just add additional costs and inconvenience, making symptoms worse while your baby adjusts to a new formula. If your baby is over 1 month of age, formula changes are more likely to relieve symptoms of colic, according to the NYU Langone Medical Center. Talk with your pediatrician before changing formulas to make sure that it is necessary. If switching formulas is recommended, try to make the adjustment easy for you and your baby.
Step 1
Select a brand of formula that you like or if you need to switch formulas for medical reasons, select a brand recommended by your pediatrician. According to the St. Louis Children's Hospital, various formula brands have differing ratios of carbohydrates, protein, fat, electrolytes and minerals, but the differences are negligible and all provide adequate nutrition for infants.
Step 2
Mix half of the new formula with the current formula for two to three days at each feeding. For instance, if your baby eats 4 oz. of formula at each feeding, mix 2 oz. of the new and 2 oz. of the current formula together.
Step 3
Increase the amount of the new formula mixed with the current formula to a 3-1 ratio for two to three days. For example, if your baby eats 4 oz. of formula at each feeding, mix 3 oz. of the new formula with only 1 oz. of the current formula together.
Step 4
Feed your baby entirely with the new formula now that the old formula is phased out.
Step 5
Give your baby a week to fully adjust to eating the new formula. If, after a week, you notice that your baby is excessively fussy, gassy or has diarrhea, talk to your pediatrician to find out if you should switch back to the old formula.
Step 6
Switch back to the old formula if your baby does not tolerate the new formula, after getting the OK from your pediatrician. Your pediatrician may recommend keeping your baby on the old formula for a few more weeks or months before trying to switch the formula again.
Tips and Warnings
- Once you switch formulas, stick to it. Switching formulas too often can cause stomach upset and changes in the bowel habits of your baby.
