Can You Switch Formulas For Newborns

Three: Watch Your Babys Reaction

Can I switch formula brands and if so, how do I ease the transition

The best sign that youre baby is switching baby formula effectively, is to watch your baby like a hawk in the first 24 hours.

Specifically, watch for these things:

  • excessive gas
  • constipation
  • diarrhea
  • blood in the stool or in vomit
  • hives or a rash
  • other signs of illness

Any of these signs are indicators that you need to try a different brand, or switch to a different Formula Family, like goats milk.

Fully Hydrolyzed Protein Formula

Fully hydrolyzed proteins are tiny. If you can partially hydrolyze a protein, then you can fully hydrolyze a protein! In our car analogy, fully hydrolyzed proteins are more like a skateboard.

Fully hydrolyzed proteins are also hypoallergenic. These protein pieces are so small, they wont trigger an allergy in a child who is allergic to full-size cows milk protein. Youll see the word hypoallergenic clearly on the front of the can.

These formulas are for infants with a cows milk allergy or babies who have had severe digestive issues. But these are not common issues. For that reason, fully hydrolyzed formulas are specialized enough that you should not just try them without a doctor specifically recommending it.

Look At The Ingredients

Did you find a formula that might work for your little one? Not so fast- youd better take a look at the ingredient list first to see if theres anything your baby wont tolerate. What ingredients your baby can have depends on your baby, since every baby is different.

Also, unless youre changing formulas due to digestive intolerance, choosing a new formula with the same type of protein as the old one will make the switch much easier for your little ones digestive system.

If youre concerned that your baby is reacting to a certain ingredient, it would be wise to discuss it with your pediatrician.

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Which Baby Formula Is Best

Every baby formula you can buy in Australia meets strict Australian Standards.

Most cows milk-based baby formulas are of similar quality and nutritional value and are suitable for most babies.

A brand might be more expensive, but that doesnt mean its necessary for your baby. And a hospitals use of a particular brand of infant formula doesnt mean that the brand is the best.

You can buy baby formula in powder form or ready to drink form. Either is fine for your baby, but ready to drink is usually more expensive because its more convenient.

Watch Out For Allergic Reactions

Can I switch formula brands and if so, how do I ease the ...

While some digestive changes are expected, others may indicate a serious allergic reaction. Dairy-based and soy-based formulas are the most likely ones to cause food allergies.

No matter what type of formula you switch to, you should watch out for the following allergy symptoms:

  • Skin rashes
  • Lethargy
  • Loss of consciousness

Some of these symptoms are signs of an anaphylactic response, so you should seek immediate medical attention if they arise.

Note: As you transition to a new formula, dont introduce your baby to any new solid foods. This way, youll be able to know if the new formula caused the allergic reaction, if one occurs.

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Is It Normal For My Baby To Spit Up After Feedings

Sometimes, babies spit up when they have eaten too much, burp, or drool.

Many infants will spit up a little after some or even all feedings or during burping because their digestive tracts are immature. That’s normal.

As long as your baby is growing and gaining weight and doesn’t seem uncomfortable with the spitting up, it’s OK. The amount of spit-up often looks like more than it actually is.

But spitting up isn’t the same as forcefully vomiting all or most of a feeding. Vomiting is a forceful ejection of stomach contents. Spitting up is a more gentle flow out the mouth or nose.

If you’re concerned that your baby is vomiting, call your doctor. Keep a record of exactly how often and how much your baby is vomiting or spitting up. In rare cases, there may be an allergy, digestive problem, or other problem that needs medical care. The doctor should be able to tell you if it’s normal or something of concern.

How Long Does It Take To Change Your Babys Formula

This is different for different babies and also depends on the significance of the change. Was it a change of one brand to another of the same type of formula? Or a change of formula type? Were the babys symptoms mild or severe before the formula change? Was there a true medical problem or just a preference for a different formula?

Some babies may take a full bottle of a new formula right away with no problems.9 Others may take some time to adjust or for their symptoms to resolve, depending on the underlying problem.

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How To Switch Baby Formulas

Lauren specializes in plant-based living and vegan and vegetarian diets for all ages. She specializes in writing about parenting and a wide variety of health, environmental, and nutrition topics.

There are many different reasons why you might need to switch to a different brand of baby formula. Maybe your current infant formula is too expensive, or you wish it had cleaner ingredients. Or maybe your babys sensitive digestion system isnt agreeing with it very well. When switching brands, you might find yourself wondering whether or not its safe to do so.

Put simply, switching baby formulas or switching to a new baby formula brand is safeas long as you do it in the right way.

In this article, well explain how to switch formulas safely in a few easy steps. For more information on how much formula to give when supplementing, check out our blog!

Top Reasons To Change Baby Formulas

Can switching formula cause my baby to have eczema?

If youre already using formula without any problems, you might wonder why a baby may need to switch formulas or why a parent would choose to make a switch. Most babies will do just fine with a cows milk-based formula, although there are a lot of them to choose from.2 But, there are lots of reasons why formula changes happen to a different cows milk-based formula, to a soy-based formula or to a specialized formula.1 Parents may also change formula brands when they cant get their regular brand or if there has been a baby formula recall of their regular brand due to safety concerns.

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If Your Baby Has Reflux

Reflux or chronic spitting up is rough! There is sadly no magic pill to make it go away. But you might consider a formula with a high whey content.

Milk proteins come in two categories: whey and casein. Whey proteins stay liquid in the stomach and so empty out of the stomach more quickly. Enfamil Infant is a full-size protein formula that is 60 percent whey the highest whey in the full-size protein category.

Gerber Good Start GentlePro, Gerber Good Start SoothePro, and Similac Pro-Total Comfort are all formulas in the partially hydrolyzed category that are each 100 percent whey.

You could also consider a thickened formula for reflux. Similac for Spit Up and Enfamil AR each add thickeners to the formula so that gravity works with the baby to help keep contents in the stomach.

These formulas are each full-size protein formulas that are mostly casein protein. Thus, thickened formulas may potentially help reflux symptoms for a different reason than whey-predominant formulas.

How Do You Switch Baby Formulas

If youve already started weaning, the transition from one formula to another can be quite quick. Try changing one feed on day one, followed by two feeds on day two, and so on until all feeds have been changed to the new formula. If your baby is still only having milk, the transition may take a little longer.

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Choose A Formula Introduction Method

As you introduce your baby to a new formula, its a good idea to go slow and transition them gradually. This will give your babys sensitive tummy and taste buds some time to adjust to the new ingredients.

The best time to introduce them to the new formula is in the morning. This way, if your baby has an allergic reaction or digestive issues, youll have plenty of time to notice and take action.

With that being said, here are two methods for gradually transitioning your baby to a new formula:

  • The Mix Method Some babies dont like the taste of new formula right away. To overcome this obstacle, you can serve them a mixture of the two formulas for a few days. This will help them adjust to the new taste.

To use this method, simply increase the ratio of the new formula each time you prepare your babys bottle. You can follow a formula schedule that looks something like this:

  • First day: 25% new formula, 75% old formula
  • Second day: 50% new formula, 50% old formula
  • Third day: 75% new formula, 25% old formula
  • Fourth day: 100% new formula

You can also prolong each of these steps for multiple days to give your baby an even slower transition.

Note: Before you try this method, ask your pediatrician if the two formulas ingredients can safely be mixed together. If you’re using a formula with a different protein base, you may want to avoid this method and try out the following one instead.

When to Switch Formula Cold Turkey

  • Severe digestive issues
  • Allergic reactions
  • A medical condition

Signs That Your Baby Is Affected By Formula Change

Can I change from ready

As a mother, I just hate seeing these tiny humans experience any sort of discomfort. You may notice your little one arch their back and tense up when feeding.

Theyll cry.

A baby can get all grunty and red, and at times he might become inconsolable. You may also notice little or no bowel movement causing the baby to become gassy and fussy. The main reason is that bottle-fed babies tend to suck in more air compared to breastfed babies. To remedy this, make sure you burp your little one during and after after every feed.

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Being Fussy After A Feeding

Babies are known for being fussy at times, but this is usually due to them being hungry, needing a diaper change or needing to get some shut-eye. Family Doctor reports that if your little one is being extremely fussy after a feeding it could be because of their formula.

Their fussiness can be due to the fact theyre eating something that does not agree with their body and theyre in pain. And since your little one cant tell you when their bellies hurt, theyre going to show you how theyre feeling by being fussy.

Watch How Your Baby Reacts To Their New Formula

Watch and see whether your baby likes the formula and whether or not theyre drinking the new formula.

If they look uncomfortable while being fed or make noises like theyre upset, it may mean that theyre not fond of the change.

Growing babies eat a lot, so if theyre not eating, that is cause for concern.

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Keep Track Of Babys Weight And Health On The New Formula

Its important to keep an eye on how your baby reacts to the new formula a babys digestive system is much more sensitive than an adults. Look for symptoms of formula intolerance, as well as for abnormal weight loss and constipation.

Also, be aware of allergic reactions signs can include hives, a rash, and blood in the stool .

Another symptom that you may not expect is irregular sleep patterns yes, your formula can affect how your child sleeps.

If your baby is experiencing any of these symptoms, I suggest talking to your pediatrician to see if the new formula is the problem.

How Long Does It Take For A Baby To Adjust To Formula Change

Can I give two different formulas for my baby?

Parents change their babys formula for many reasons.1 Still, it can be hard to know when a baby formula change is needed and how to go about doing it.

Good news- babies can often change formulas with no problems. So, if you are looking to change formula for health problems, behavioral concerns or because you want to switch from non-organic to organic baby formula or even from a European brand formula to a US made baby formula, then you will likely be able to do so successfully.

So whats the best way to switch and how long will it take?

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What Should You Do Before Switching

Before you switch formulas, always speak to your childs pediatrician to make sure they have been properly examined for any other potential health concerns.

Additionally, they may recommend a specific type of formula to try first, based on the one that youre trying to wean your baby away from.

The pediatrician may also recommend that you speak with a registered dietitian who specializes in pediatric nutrition. Plenty of parents and babies need help with formula-changing needs, so you can rest assured that they come with a lot of experience and expertise in this area.

Maintain Your Milk Supply While Giving Formula

If you wish to maintain your milk supply while giving formula, you may need to breastfeed or pump frequently, up to 8 to 12 times per day. The exact number of times will depend on your breasts storage capacity and the age of your baby.

According to the N.C.T., if your baby is older around 8 or 9 months you can usually maintain your breastmilk supply alongside formula feeding, as long as you breastfeed every day.

The Department of Agriculture has tips for maintaining your milk supply while introducing formula.

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Baby Formula Guide: How To Choose The Right Kind For Your Kid

A mom of two with a doctorate in perinatal nutrition, Im known as The Baby Formula Expert here to help demystify the process of choosing a formula.

Standing in the baby formula aisle for the first time can feel like a game of Russian roulette.

Was that too morbid? Probably. But I know firsthand the overwhelming intensity of that choice and how high the stakes are. Were talking about your precious babys nutrition and comfort! Parenting is hard enough and then you find yourself in the formula aisle.

Many parents admit feeling anxious about how to go about choosing a formula. Maybe theyre totally overwhelmed by the choices. Or theyve tried a formula and wonder if its causing their baby digestive distress. Or breastfeeding isnt working out how theyd hoped, and this isnt what they expected.

No parent deserves all that anxiety over feeding. So first, take a deep breath. There is no wrong choice! There is no perfect formula. There is no bad formula. There are just different options within ingredient categories. Understanding these options will help you make a choice based on your unique baby.

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