Brands use different words to promote the same thing when they advertise their baby formulas. You can find several kinds of milk powders. Each brand produces these types of milk powders for babies. Basic ingredients in those baby formulas never change. However, parents still get worried when it comes to switching to a new brand.
Cautious parents worry if changing the milk powder or brand will affect the child’s health. It should not be an issue if you are switching to a similar type of formula milk from a new brand. Some parents even blend the same types’ formula milk from different brands. It becomes more nutritious!
You may have several questions regarding switching to a new type or brand of milk powder. Continue reading to learn how old can the baby change milk powder.
When You Can Change Your Baby’s Milk Powder?
Breastfeeding babies can also consume milk powder. They can’t digest cow’s milk properly. Therefore, parents need to be extra careful and choose milk powder designed specifically for newborns. The WHO recommends breastfeeding until your child is 6 months old. So, follow this guideline if possible.
1. Change milk powder according to the baby’s age
A 0-6-month old baby needs the first-stage baby formula. It is quite nutritious and beneficial for the newborn child’s proper growth. You have to switch to the second-stage milk powder after six months. Baby formulas offer ingredients in different quantities at different stages. The characteristics and effectiveness of baby formulas change in different stages.
2. Be careful when changing your baby’s milk powder!
You will find many varieties of milk powder when you go to the grocery store. Don’t just pick any available product from the shelf. Check whether it is suitable for babies of your child’s age or not.
Feeding second-stage formula milk to a newborn can be risky. It will cause health problems and discomfort. The first-stage milk powder might not provide the necessary nutrients to your mature infant. So, do not change your child’s milk powder without checking the stage and ingredients of the baby formula.
3. Do babies have indigestion issues after consuming milk powder?
Babies have a much weaker digestive system than adults. It is not easy for them to switch to a new food. Most babies have digestion issues when they consume the baby formula for the first time. Babies also have indigestion problem with you change the type of their milk powder.
Infants take some time to adapt to the new food. So, parents should not worry about the indigestion problem. A gradual change to a new type of milk powder won’t affect your child’s health. The baby will also get familiar with the taste and enjoy consuming the new formula milk.
Can You Change A Baby’s Milk Powder Frequently?
Health experts do not advise changing a baby’s milk powder frequently. Babies are habitual of consuming the same kind of food. They don’t accept the new food as easily as adults do. It can be an issue, especially when you are switching to a new type of milk powder.
1. Does it cause health issues?
Babies do not experience any health problem if you are switching to the same type of formula milk from another brand. Milk powder’s type, ingredients, and quality should be similar. Thus, it will not affect your child’s health.
Suppose you feed different types of formula milk alternatively, it will affect your infant’s health. So, avoid this mistake as long as possible. Choose a suitable type of formula milk for your baby and stick to the same brand if the product is readily available.
Although the same type of formula milk from different brands are similar, their flavor and quality might differ slightly. The change of texture and taste might trouble your child, but he will adjust in one or two days.
2. Potential health risks of changing the baby formula
The doctor might suggest changing the baby formula due to some health issues. Your baby may also suffer from some health issues due to changing the baby formula frequently. Brands design a variety of formula milk to address different health issues.
Parents must check all details shared on the product label before choosing the new formula milk. Careless formula milk switching can cause health issues, such as diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, rash, fatigue, and skin reactions.
How to Change Your Baby’s Formula Milk?
It is not like trying new cuisine! Infants are not adults. Their digestive system is weak and they are a bit choosy when it comes to milk. A baby does not adapt to the new taste and texture of the milk too easily. Therefore, you should be extra careful when changing your child’s formula milk.
1. When to switch immediately?
You can switch immediately if you want to feed the same type of formula milk from another brand. As mentioned earlier, the same type of formula milk from the different brand is not quite different.
Your baby will quickly adapt to the new food if its taste and texture are similar. The child might refuse a few times if the taste is slightly different. However, he will enjoy it later! You should first feed a small quantity of the new formula to your child. Observe his reaction and change in his health. Continue feeding it if the baby has no problem.
Suppose your child fusses when you feed the new formula milk, wait for a while and then retry. Do not switch to the old formula if the new one is more nutritious. A few attempts should resolve the issue.
2. When to make a gradual transition?
If your baby has just turned 6 months old and you want to switch to the second stage milk, make it a gradual change. You should not switch immediately to the new type of milk powder! A new kind of formula milk will taste different. So, it is obvious for the child to get fussy.
Sometimes parents think that a delicious flavor will allure the baby, but that doesn’t happen. Try different flavors every day. Recognize a flavor your child likes the most and then feed it daily.
You should feed ¾ quantity of the old formula long with ¼ quantity of the new one. Increase the quantity of the new milk powder gradually so that your baby won’t recognize any difference.
Feed the mixed formula milk one day and then blend both types of milk in half-half quantity. Feed only the new type of milk on the third day. Thus, your child will easily adapt to the new taste.
How to Choose the New Formula Milk for Your Baby?
Consider a few things to choose the best formula milk for your baby:
1. Protein type
Your baby will digest the new formula milk easily if the protein type is the same. Whether you are switching the brand or the type of milk, look for the type of protein it contains. If your baby was consuming cow’s milk-based formula milk, then switch to the same kind of milk.
Do not switch from cow’s milk-based milk powder to soy milk-based milk powder. The protein type will change and it will be daunting for the baby to digest the milk. You can reveal the protein type by checking the product label or product details online.
2. Does your baby have digestive intolerance?
Some parents look for new baby formula because their baby can’t digest the available milk powder. Such kind of digestive intolerance is the reason parents switch the milk powder. You should be extra careful here! If you choose another similar milk powder, it might cause the same health issue.
You should choose milk powder with a different protein for your baby. Keep switching until your baby experiences digestion issues. Suppose your child is lactose intolerant, you can pick a lactose-free milk powder to comfort your baby.
3. Consult with your doctor
It is a major decision to switch the baby’s formula milk, especially if the baby has digestive intolerance. Parents often pick milk powder, which further affects the child’s health. You can avoid such a mistake if you consult with a doctor.
The doctor will screen your child to assess which type of baby formula will be perfect for his food demands. Follow the doctor’s recommendations to pick the right milk powder for your child.
4. Observe the changes in the baby’s health
Once you have switched the baby formula, you should observe the changes in your baby’s health. Does his skin look reddish? Are there rashes? Is your baby suffering from diarrhea or constipation? If your child experiences any serious health issue, you should stop feeding the new baby formula.
Talk to the doctor and share all the details. The doctor will diagnose health issues and find the right food to feed the child.
Conclusion
Now you know how old can the baby change milk powder. Change the brand immediately if choosing the same type of milk powder. Switch the milk powder type only when your baby is old enough to consume the second stage milk powder.
