Joy Parenting Club

If you are transitioning from breast milk to formula, there are a few things you can do to make the transition as smooth as possible for your baby.

Start slowly.Don't try to switch your baby to formula all at once. Start by offering a bottle of formula once or twice a day. Gradually increase the number of bottles of formula you offer each day until your baby is completely switched over.

Use a paced feeding method.This method helps to prevent overfeeding and gas. To pace feed, hold your baby upright and offer them the bottle slowly. Let them suck on the nipple for a few seconds before you give them more milk.

Express breast milk.If you can still express breast milk, you can give your baby a combination of breast milk and formula. This can help to make the transition easier for your baby.

Offer the bottle in a familiar place.If your baby is used to being breastfed in a particular place, try to offer the bottle in the same place. This will help them to associate the bottle with feeding time.

1. Start slowly.Don't try to switch your baby to formula all at once. Start by offering a bottle of formula once or twice a day. Gradually increase the number of bottles of formula you offer each day until your baby is completely switched over.
2. Use a paced feeding method.This method helps to prevent overfeeding and gas. To pace feed, hold your baby upright and offer them the bottle slowly. Let them suck on the nipple for a few seconds before you give them more milk.
3. Express breast milk.If you can still express breast milk, you can give your baby a combination of breast milk and formula. This can help to make the transition easier for your baby.
4. Offer the bottle in a familiar place.If your baby is used to being breastfed in a particular place, try to offer the bottle in the same place. This will help them to associate the bottle with feeding time.

It can take a few days to a few weeks for a baby to adjust to formula, so don’t be discouraged if things don’t click right away. If you’re struggling to choose a formula, your pediatrician is a good source for individualized guidance.