Your child is rapidly growing, and their digestive system is expanding as well. Consequently, you may be considering changing his formula, or maybe digestive problems such as fussiness, gas, and spitting up prompted the idea. Before changing your baby’s formula, consult with your doctor.
Which brands you blend is a matter of your choice. All you have to know is the fundamental components present in the same kind of formula. It is safe to combine formula brands as long as you follow standard mixing guidelines. This article will teach you how and when to change your baby’s formula.
Switching Your Baby’s Formula
Types of Protein in Baby’s Formula
Protein in infant formulae is classified into three kinds. The first is the most often used formula, known as cow’s milk protein. For babies with specific health problems or allergies to casein or whey, the two proteins present in cow’s milk, soy protein is often an alternative. The last kind of protein is hypoallergenic protein.
Hypoallergenic formulae, also known as elemental formulas, are made up of protein that has been reduced down into tiny pieces. These formulas are costly, most of them taste bad, and they are usually used for infants who cannot digest complete protein.
When moving to a new brand of formula, keep the same kind of protein in mind. Consult a doctor first if you wish to shift to a formula with a new protein source.
Contrary to common perception, spitting up or excess gas in your baby is generally not caused by the kind of protein in the formula. However, rotating brands may help parents determine whether their kid has a sensitivity to a specific brand.
The most noticeable variation between formulations is typically tasted. Some kids are very fussy about what they eat and may prefer one formula over another. Conversely, since the flavor of breast milk varies based on what a nursing woman consumes, the flavor is generally not a big issue for most formula-fed infants.
When you prefer a formula similar to breast milk, try organic baby formulae made from goat’s milk, such as Holle Formula. Organic infant formulae often include few chemicals, no hazardous pesticides, hormones, or antibiotics, and heavy metals.
Furthermore, since the organic baby formula has fewer chemicals, it may be simpler to stomach. Diarrhea, stomach cramps, blood in a baby’s stool, vomiting, hives, or other skin rashes are all signs that your baby has a genuine formula allergy. If you experience any of these symptoms, you should contact your doctor immediately.
Working with formulas for your baby may help alleviate concerns about food intolerances, burping, constipation, excess gas, or spit up, but it isn’t always required. As long as your kid is healthy and shows no symptoms of genuine formula intolerance or allergy, the formula you choose is entirely up to your personal choice.
Possible Reason in Changing Baby’s Formula
For several reasons, you may be contemplating altering your baby’s formula. Whether your baby is gassy, has trouble sleeping, or is irritable, you may question if the formula is the cause.
Price, availability, and simplicity of preparation are all factors that may entice you to start something different. Whatever the case, there are a few key fundamentals to remember before making a move.
Cow’s milk is the protein source in milk-based, iron-fortified formulas, while lactose is the carbohydrate supply. Milk-based formulae do have minor differences, such as different mixes of whey and casein proteins. Different kinds of oils supply the fat sources in these formulations.
Aside from lactose intolerance and other conditions, children may suffer from acid reflux. If this occurs, you might consider using a Hipp Formula.
How to Change Baby’s Formula
As you switch formulas to a hypoallergenic formula due to an allergy, the doctor will most likely recommend stopping the old formula and transitioning to the new one.
If you are changing for other reasons, such as cost or convenience, you may try the new formula and observe how your baby reacts to it. It may take a few feedings for your infant to become accustomed to the taste of a new formula.
If your baby does not appear to enjoy the new formula, try making a gradual transition. Begin with three parts old to one part new and work your way up to half-and-half when your baby is ready. Change the ratio progressively until you are solely feeding the new formula. You may wish to start with a tiny container of the new recipe until you’re sure you want to stay with it.
If you’re worried about gassiness, try sticking to one brand for at least a week or two to see if there are significant changes in gas, stool, spit-up, or burping. This much time is required for your baby’s digestive system to adapt to the new diet.
With a bit of forethought, even if cost and ease are factors in your formula selection, you should be able to stay with one brand in the long term.
Formula Safety
Every baby formula brand on the market is healthy to utilize and must satisfy the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Although brand-name and generic formulations may include slightly different components, they must meet the same federal nutrition and safety standards.
Before purchasing a new container of formula at the supermarket, be sure to check the expiry date. If you buy online, be sure to check the expiration date before opening it so that you may return items that are out of date. Before opening and mixing the mixture, keep an eye out for any off-odors, colors, or tastes.
Purchase your formula from trustworthy vendors since outdated formulas are occasionally repackaged and marketed with incorrect nutrition information. Feeding your child an out-of-date formula or one with different components may have severe repercussions, particularly if your baby already has health issues.
If you detect anything unusual with your baby’s formula, the FDA advises contacting the toll-free number given on the container. It is essential to observe the mixing directions written on each formula bottle. Don’t assume that since your usual recipe calls for a certain water-to-powder ratio, the new formula will be similar.
This is never a brilliant idea, even if it is enticing to water down your baby’s formula to save money or alter the flavor. Formula, particularly ready-to-feed formula, is costly, but for most babies, it is the sole source of nourishment based on their age.
Too much water reduces the number of calories and nutrients your kid eats, which may impact their development and general health.
If you’re combining two brands of formula, prepare each one individually, following the directions on the package. You can be confident that the proportions of each are accurate this way. Then, in your baby’s bottle, mix the two prepared formulae.
