Tips on How to Switch Baby Formulas
Are you struggling to locate your child's baby formula brand in stores or online?
Is it possible your little one has tummy issues and needs a different blend? Switching formulas can be a challenge for even the most patient of parents so these easy to manage tips can help you through the process without too much stress or worry.
If you're struggling to find organic baby formula on the store shelves recently, you're not alone. Supply chain issues have led to unprecedented shortages across the US, even 9 months into the crisis, and with the rising cost of shipping organic formulas into the US from European providers like our chosen brands, parents are pushed to the limit with how to manage this ever-frustrating situation. The good news is you can rest assured Grow Organic Baby offers a multitude of all-natural baby formula choices and we rarely encounter any issues related to supply and demand - whether you little one gravitates to cow's milk, goat's milk, or vegan blends or if they need a bit of help for a sensitive tummy, our many acid reflux formulas are gentle on their forming digestive systems and at the ready whenever you need to make the switch.
So how do you change your baby's formula safely?
Ideally, if you're choosing to change your baby's formula, you should try to do it gradually to monitor any intolerance or sensitivity to a new brand. But the most important thing is making sure your baby is fed - be mindful that your anxiety transfer to your child and that can affect their desire to take to the new formula.
Dr. Wendy Sue Swanson, M.D., MBE, FAAP, pediatrician, offers words of comfort for any anxious parents. "Given the current infant formula shortage or if a child is having an allergic reaction, some families may have to make the switch to a new formula quickly. This is OK in most instances and typically well-tolerated in babies. Don't let switching from one formula to another add to the stress you already feel. Your baby will do well and being nourished is the top priority."
According to Dr. Swanson, if you still have some of your baby's preferred formula on hand, you can gradually make the switch by mixing three parts current formula and one part new formula. If the baby drinks it, move to half-and-half and then 1/4 old and 3/4 new. Following that would be a full bottle of the new brand. "If possible, try to make this transition over the course of one or two weeks," she says. Use the scoop provided with the formula because scoop sizes may vary between brands.
Is Switching My Baby's Formula Safe?
Switching to a different formula brand is perfectly fine. "There is no danger in providing your baby with differing formulas from one day to the next, especially if they have the same base," says Dr. Swanson. She makes the comparison that breast fed also have differing milk each day due to changes in the parent's diet, creating a "slightly different recipe at every feed."
Indeed, the nutritional composition of different infant formulas is extremely similar. "While the source of components may vary, the proportions and amounts of nutrients that your baby gets are the same among different brands," says Rashmi Jain, M.D., a concierge pediatrician in Irvine, California.
It's also generally fine for most babies to switch between ready-to-feed, concentrated liquid, or powdered formula. "The exception might be preemies or immunocompromised babies under 3 months of age who may not be able to take powdered formula yet," says Dr. Jain.
Dr. Jain stresses that you want to avoid transitioning a baby who's on speciality or hypoallergenic formula to sensitive or standard formula without a pediatrician's input - with babies who have special dietary needs at the onset, parent want to choose to trust the advisement of their child's physician to support their efforts and know the signs to watch for when transitioning.
Be Confident in You Decision
Ultimately, when it comes to switching formula, the advice is pretty clear; if your regular baby formula isn't available or if you find your child is not taking to or has a reaction to their current formula, it's safe to switch over to another brand. Order or purchase an organic brand that's similar to your current formula and watch your baby for any side effects. If all goes well your little one will be on the path to healthy eating again in no time.
Be sure to sign up for our email list, follow us on social media and check back here for more parenting and baby formula insight - we're always looking for ways to partner with you on healthy nutrition for your child.
Feature Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko
