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How to Switch Baby Formula
How to Switch Baby Formula

How to Switch Baby Formula

If your infant is having trouble adjusting to a new baby formula, here's how to switch.

author-Kristine Gill
By Kristine Gill and Briana Engelbrecht
Fact Checked by Shannon Vestal Robson
Updated On
Updated On
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In This Article

Look at the Base Ingredient
Base Ingredients: A Rundown
If You Have to Switch Baby Formulas Quickly
If You Can Switch Baby Formulas Gradually
Top Baby Formula Brands You Can Switch To
Cow-Milk Formulas
Goat's Milk Formula
Soy-Based Baby Formula
GI Upset Formulas
Low Lactose For Gas
Reduced Spit Up With Added Rice Baby Formula
Hydrolyzed Formulas/ Elemental Amino Acid Based
Premature Formulas
Partially Broken-Down Formulas
How to Deal With Baby's Transition

Switching your baby’s formula for any reason (whether it’s not agreeing with their tummy, there’s been a recall or your brand is affected by a shortage) can be stressful, and we know it's tough to pick the right formula for your baby in the first place. But don't panic: “The majority of babies actually switch formulas and don't have any difficulty,” says Dr. Victoria Regan, a pediatrician with Children’s Memorial Hermann Pediatrics.

Whatever reason for the switch, rest assured that you don't need to worry about picking the perfect alternative—all infant formulas marketed in the US must meet the nutrient specifications listed in FDA regulations.

Below, we’ve got more specific guidance on what to look for when you need to switch, and some tips on how to make the transition go more smoothly.

Look at the Base Ingredient

If you can’t find your usual baby formula brand, your best bet is looking for another brand made from that same base ingredient.

Baby formula is typically made with four different base ingredients:

  • Cow's milk: Commonly used by most babies, this type of formula most closely mimics breast milk. Enfamil NeuroPro or Similac Advance fall into this category.

  • Soy: Soy formulas offer soy instead of milk proteins and are good if your infant cannot have lactose. Some families choose soy as a dietary preference as well. Many major brands, including Earth’s Best Non-GMO Plant-Based Soy and Dr. Brown's Good Start Soy-Ease Pro, offer a soy formula.

  • Hydrolyzed proteins: This type of formula is often recommended if a baby has problems digesting dary, or has a general food allergy. It’s made with cow’s milk, but the casein and whey proteins are broken down into smaller pieces. It is considered hypoallergenic. Many formulas designed for GI upset fall into this category of partially hydrolyzed proteins, including Enfamil Gentlease and Dr. Brown's Good Start Gentle.

  • Amino Acids: Formulas with this base are considered non-allergic and are for those extreme cases in which a baby cannot have cow’s milk, and hydrolyzed proteins also do not work for them. A common brand is Neocate Infant.

We have a list below that directs you to formula alternatives based on the base ingredient, but you can also look to generic brands. “Going with a store brand or ‘off label’ in the same [base ingredient] category can often be most successful,” says Jessica Gust, a pediatric dietitian at Element Nutrition Kids. “Many of my patients have had luck finding alternatives at Costco, CVS, Walgreens, Amazon, Walmart or Target using their store brand.”

Base Ingredients: A Rundown

For the majority of infants, cow’s milk formulas work. Some families will choose a soy formula for their child if they practice veganism, or find that soy works better for their child. Babies on formulas with hydrolyzed proteins or amino acids have typically been prescribed those formulas due to an allergy to cow’s milk.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) say many children with a milk allergy will do well on a hypoallergenic formula made with hydrolyzed proteins, but that in rare cases baby will need a nonallergenic formula made with amino acids, such as those made by Neocate and Nestle’s Alfamino Infant.

If your child is on a soy formula or hydrolyzed formula due to a food-related allergy, you’ll probably want to keep them on a formula in that same family. Families who find themselves in this position “should talk to their child's doctor before switching categories of formula due to allergy or intolerance,” Gust says.

In some cases, you can switch a child from milk to soy and a baby will take to it easily.

If You Have to Switch Baby Formulas Quickly

If your baby’s usual formula is affected by a recall—like the recent one from ByHeart—you might need to make a switch sooner than expected. "If there is the potential for a formula contamination, going cold turkey is important to reduce any risk of illness," says Dr. Jonathan Jassey, a pediatrician at Concierge Pediatrics based in Long Island and New Jersey. While an abrupt change can feel stressful, the good news is that most babies adjust just fine—baby formulas are all very similar due to regulations. Dr. Jassey adds, "Because the ByHeart formulas that are affected by this recall do not appear to be specialized formulas (like hypoallergenic formulas, for example), parents should be confident to just make the switch."

If you’re switching quickly, you can introduce the new formula all at once. Some babies may experience tummy troubles (think gas or spit-up), but those symptoms usually resolve pretty quickly. If they don’t—or if you see things like blood in their stool or excessive crying—it’s a good idea to check in with your pediatrician.

If You Can Switch Baby Formulas Gradually

If you don't need to make a sudden change and your current formula is not being affected by a recall, introduce your baby to the new formula slowly, if possible. Dr. Regan suggests mixing the new formula with your existing brand over a week or so. Make a bottle that’s one-quarter new formula and 3/4th the existing formula, then half and half, and so on until you can switch to the new formula entirely.

“Some are picky about the taste, so if you can gradually switch them, it will help,” Dr. Regan says.

Top Baby Formula Brands You Can Switch To

Here’s a list of baby formula brands based on their main ingredient or symptom, so you can easily swap if you’re in a pinch.

Cow-Milk Formulas

Goat's Milk Formula

Soy-Based Baby Formula

GI Upset Formulas

Low Lactose For Gas

Reduced Spit Up With Added Rice Baby Formula

Consult your doctor before switching formula brands in these categories:

Hydrolyzed Formulas/ Elemental Amino Acid Based

Premature Formulas

Partially Broken-Down Formulas

How to Deal With Baby's Transition

It’s possible your child will be uncomfortable during the transition. “Gastrointestinal and dermatologic side effects are fairly common when switching formulas,” Dr. Phillip Kadaj says. “Infants may experience spitting up, gas, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting and skin rash.”

But don’t panic if these symptoms arise. Gust says they are usually resolved quickly, and not every baby has a tough time. “I have had some clients who I've had to switch three plus times with minimum discomfort and others who have had more significant symptoms,” Gust says. “Most standard tummy troubles from switching formulas resolve fairly quickly." Of course, if symptoms persist or become severe, contact your doctor.

Expert Sources

Babylist uses high-quality subject matter experts to provide accurate and reliable information to our users. Sources for this story include:

  • Jessica Gust, MS, RDN, Pediatric Dietitian at Element Nutrition Kids

  • Dr. Victoria Regan, a pediatrician with Children’s Memorial Hermann Pediatrics

  • Phillip Kadaj MD FACP, and Family Medical Expert on JustAnswer.com

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